ANDREA DORIA The Grand Dame of the Sea

FIRST CLASS CHINA

China is perhaps the most recognized artifact associated with the wreck of the Andrea Doria.  As with the passenger accommodations on the ship, the elegance and design of Doria china was distinct for each respective class. At left are two First Class plates illustrating the difference in the crown design for the Italia Line, as well as the difference in gold-trimmed scrollwork along the edge of each.  At right is a picture from a successful 1998 dive that recovered over 100 pieces of china (Courtesy of Richie Kohler).

Italia Line vessels carried china manufactured by Italy's premier porcelain manufacturer, Richard Ginori, which was supplied to the Italia Line by the Luigi Radif Company.

Tom Packer with a nice haul of Officer's china.

The most unique type of china recovered off the wreck of the Doria includes First Class pieces that have hand-painted designs reflecting a Chinese influence (i.e., chinoiserie).  The original oriental scenes were based on a series of chinoiserie designs produced in the 18th century by French artist Jean-Baptiste Pillement.  The scenes appeared in The Ladies Amusement, a book published in 1762.  To acknowledge the French origin of these designs, the china even includes the rocco scrollwork prevalent in 18th century France in the Italia logo.  Luigi Radif refers to these patterns as "Vignette Cinese." It is also known as the "Chinois" pattern amongst serious china collectors.  Over the years, this design included 19 different scenes or patterns in the set.