WD3546

Preliminary design for a ceiling painting for the Revenue Committee Room, East India House, Leadenhall Street. The design shows treasure and goods being brought to merchants, with two East Indiamen moored beyond.

Inscribed: ‘S.’ ‘Roma invt. et delint’.

Pencil, ink and wash; 34.5 by 46.5 cm, oval.

Purchased 1976.

Note: It differs considerably from the finished ceiling painting and shows two British merchants supervising a group of Indian labourers carrying goods to two East Indiamen behind, while a third merchant lists the goods in a ledger. Three bearded figures representing China, India and Persia approach from the right followed by an elephant and howdah, with two camels close behind. A Chinese figure in the foreground points to some decorated vases and a group of Indians handle a tea chest while gold coins spill from a bag on the ground. Above an angel with a trumpet heralds the scene. It seems probable that the Directors rejected this design, perhaps suggesting that the symbolism of Rysbrack’s mantlepiece with Britannia and Father Thames would be more suitable. Roma’s final design painted in 1778 is much bolder and more allegorical than the present drawing.