British Colonial Armchairs
BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE
Typically made of mahogany, teak or bamboo and featuring a range of fabrics and prints with botanical patterns, antique British Colonial furniture and decor varies as it involved local materials and techniques and spanned centuries of design styles.
As the British Empire expanded from the 16th to the 20th century, its conquest and control of colonies around the world bolstered its wealth through the extraction of resources. Including colonies in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia, this spread of often violent subjugation imposed British culture, language and faith on Indigenous peoples. The design of homes was included in this expression of imperial power, with government officials, merchants and military officers creating homes mimicking the luxuries they were used to in England.
Local artisans were commissioned to replicate British designs, resulting in versions of Regency, Chippendale, Sheraton and other styles of furniture being crafted from mahogany, rosewood, ebony and teakwood as opposed to beech and oak, which were more common in Europe. Whereas the colonial furniture for the Portuguese and Dutch regularly had motifs of indigenous flora and fauna, the British tended to want more exact reproductions of their home country’s designs.
To escape the summer heat in places such as India and the Caribbean, British colonizers relocated to airy houses in the hills or plantations, leading to foldable chairs and collapsible desks in the style of military campaign furniture. Rather than upholstery as they might have in Europe, chairs and sofas in the British Colonial style had rattan and cane seating for these higher temperature climates. The contrast between the light textiles and the dark colors of the sturdy furniture became a defining aesthetic of British Colonial interiors.
Find a collection of antique British Colonial outdoor furniture, seating, bedroom furniture, decorative objects and other items on 1stDibs.
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Style: British Colonial
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Cane Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Caned Armchair
Made entirely out of satinwood. Gentle curved back. Hand caning seat - still in good condition. Spiral arms are a un...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Satinwood
British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair
A low comfortable reading chair made out of Mahogany and cane. Lovely carved details on arms, back, and legs. Reeded wood details along the...
Category
20th Century Unknown British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Vintage British Colonial Plantation Ladder Back Rush Armchairs Pair
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful pair of British Colonial plantation armchairs with tall ladder back and natural woven Rush seating, Circa 1960's. Oak or Mohogany.
Except...
Category
1960s British Vintage British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Rush, Oak
Late 20th Century Colonial Regency Style Caned Mahogany Armchairs, Set of 4
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th, stylish and handsome mahogany arm chairs with scrolled backrest and arms, caned seat and back, on reeded legs ending in arrow feet, with metallic silver tone removable sea...
Category
Late 20th Century North American British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Vintage 80s McGuire Antalya Directors Style Dining or Occasional Chairs Rawhide
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Classic 1980s directors style McGuire dining or occasional armchairs with lattice style rawhide seats and backs. These rattan framed chairs with backrest and seat woven in ra...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Hide, Rattan
19th Century Inlay Savonarola Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very decorative and elaborate inlaid late 19th century folding scissors Savonarola armchair. With a carved foliate back rail, ball head arms and inlaid with bone, mother of pearl, ...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Wood
A Pair of Sri Lankan Teak and Cane Planters Chairs
Located in London, GB
Sri Lanka, circa 1920
A pair of 20th century Sri Lankan sling back planters chairs in the British colonial style, the frames in solid teakwood with a shell motives carved to the bac...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Teak
Mid-Century Pair of French Tooled Leather Safari Campaign Armchairs
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Torquay, GB
Rare pair of mid century leather Safari armchairs.
French made, circa 1940s.
Offered here in original condition.
Dark brown leather, artfully tooled in ancient symbols, resting on solid oak frame structure.
The armchairs have tilted leather backrests and leather arm straps...
Category
Mid-20th Century French British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Calico
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs; The Collection of Andre Leon Talley
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs w/ fitted upholstered seat cushion. Seat cushion is removable. From Andre Leon Talley's Collection.
A striking pair of large wicker armchairs, meticul...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Brighton Chinoiserie Rattan Blonde Bamboo Caning Split Reed Armchair 70s
By Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage blonde bamboo, caning and split reed armchair on six legs. This is a handcrafted chair with woven cane seat features bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns.
The b...
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed
A Pair of Vintage Anglo-Indian Veranda Chairs in Teak and Rattan
Located in Chicago, IL
These stylish lounge chairs date to the 1920's and were made in Rangoon, Burma. During the British Colonial period, much Indian furniture was made following British or European styles. High quality native hardwood was used, such as Teak and Rosewood and woven rattan was substituted for upholstery, which grew musty in the humid climate. Over time, Indian craft...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Rattan, Teak
Pair McGuire MCLM45 Rattan Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set of 2 McGuire armchairs featuring lattice style leather seats and back. The model #MCLM45 rattan chair displays a backrest and seat woven in rawhide. X-shaped accents held between...
Category
1970s Vintage British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Set of Six Masonic Throne Armchairs in Oak, circa 1880
Located in Faversham, GB
A stunning set of six Masonic throne armchairs in oak. Carved triangular pediments with broad back panels and carved finials over a dished seat. Each armrest features two quatrefoil ...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Karin Mobring Pine Safari Armchair with Canvas Seat & Leather Straps
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Karin Mobring Pine Safari Armchair With Canvas Seat & Leather Straps Made In Sweden For Ikea 1972
Karin Elisabet Mobring (1927-08-07 — 2005-02-17), Furn...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Pine, Leather, Canvas
19th Century Campaign Chair Herbert McNair Design Carved Oak and Tan Leather
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A 19th century Campaign chair of Herbert McNair Design carved oak & polished tan leather adjustable reclining seat.
James Herbert MacNair (23 December 1868 – 22 April 1955), was...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Pair of Leather Button Tufted Wingback British Colonial Style Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British colonial style wingback armchairs upholstered in lush brown leather in a classic elegant form and featuring button tufted backs, brass studs, and turned legs...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Original Walnut Wing Chair, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original walnut wing chair, circa 1900.
Armchair reupholstered and refinished a short time ago,
small stains on the fabric.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Faux Bamboo and leather folding officer safari chair.
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Mid century Faux Bamboo and leather British colonial officers folding chair.
Expertly crafted Faux Bamboo, brass hardware and stitched leather ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Struttura Poltrona Tripolina, Originale Anni 50. Da Transatlantico
Located in Felino, IT
Galleria Profumo e Fuselli di Genova nel 1949. poltrona originale da transatlantico.
struttura in teak , giunti in ottone.
fa parte di una fornitura navale degli anni 50...
Category
1950s European Vintage British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Rattan Cafe Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of antique French rattan and reed cafe chairs with bent wood frames decorated with painted and natural reed wrapped rattan in a g...
Category
Early 20th Century French British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Rattan, Reed
Pair of English Armchairs in Velvet and Walnut Wood
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous pair of velvet armchairs of English manufacture of the late 1800s.
The beautiful armchairs have a walnut wood structure and have been lined with sand colored velvet tending...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of mid century inspired armchairs crafted in wicker or reed ambitiously woven over a sturdy metal frame. One of many new designs from the FS Flores Collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Reed
Antique British Colonial 1830s Caned Oak Reclining Mechanical Dental Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Englishman James Snell of London made the first mechanical dental chair with an adjustable seat and back for doctors to examine their patients more efficiently. This exquisite exampl...
Category
1830s Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Oak
Pair of Thai Rosewood Elephant Howdah Saddle Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of elephant saddle style chairs crafted with rosewood in a distinctive Thai form, hand carved depicting elephants, which are a symbol of fortune, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Rosewood
Pair of British Colonial Midcentury Plantation / Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of solid hard wood and caned British Colonial Plantation chairs, lounge chairs or armchairs. The chairs feature swing out extension arms. The construction is hand made w...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial armchairs crafted with a sturdy metal frame ambitiously wrapped in reed with comfort and classic form set on turned wood feet. Exclusively designed and offered by F.S. Henemader Antiques from the FS Flores collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Wicker
Early 20th Century Colonial Sri Lankan Satinwood Garden Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Hand-turned garden chair made of solid satinwood, Colonial, Sri Lanka, circa 1900. Hand-caned seat and back.
Came from a British Military family in Sri Lanka.
40.25" overall height ...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Satinwood
Victoria Chair with Tassel Foot, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in Pasadena, CA
Our Victoria chair with tassel foot detailing in our ebonized finish with a light distress, inspired by an original Swedish 1930s Art Deco pair we f...
Category
2010s American British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Armchair English Leather from, 19th Century Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
English club armchair, leather first half of the 20th century. Vintage.
Solid mahogany club chair, English. Classic upholstery which was upholstered with leather. Armrest partly a...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Jamaican Campeche / Planter Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant British Colonial 1810-1830 Campeche chair is made of solid mahogany and was known in Jamaica as a Spanish chair in the period. This West Indies Planter chair...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Brown Antique Lounge Chair 'Le Surrepos Du Dr. Pascaud' Paris, circa 1924
By Dr. Pascaud 1
Located in Schagen, NL
This chaise longue is called le surrepos du Docteur Pascaud. It was manufactured in Paris, France, circa 1924 and features a natural beech frame, upholstered and covered with horse h...
Category
1920s French Vintage British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Leather
Pair of Wooden and Leather Armchairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Pair of solid wood and tawny leather armchairs: subtle wood work for the structure, rounded and contoured lines, the cushions are removable and dressed in fawn leather. All in beauti...
Category
20th Century European British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Caribbean British Colonial Mahogany Planter's Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This West Indies solid mahogany planter's chair was made in the early 19th century in Martinique, circa 1820, in the British Colonial style and features the classical extending arms....
Category
19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Canvas, Mahogany
British Colonial armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, natural fiber and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Dr. Pascaud, English School, FS Henemader Antiques, Inc., and Karin Mobring. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $433 and tops out at $52,000 while the average work can sell for $3,425.
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