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British Colonial Cabinets

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
Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet circa 1880. Here we offer a fine example of where english regency style furniture meets oriental influence. We are pleased ...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Maitland Smith Faux Tortoise Bamboo Lacquered Two Door Cabinet, Circa 1980
Located in Rochester, NY
Maitland Smith faux bamboo tortoise finish bow front two door cabinet / splayed front legs / exotically decorated lacquered panels / black ...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Teak Museum Vitrine Cabinet
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A teak museum vitrine cabinet, in excellent condition. This generously sized cabinet features glass panels on all sides, three front doors, and glass shelving inside.
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Nighstand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style burnt bamboo and cane nightstand. Signed Bloomingdales. Wear to finish of cane (please refer to photos). Additional photos available upon request. Would work ...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

British Colonial Style Anglo Indian Polychromed Linen Press
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Anglo-Indian 2-part linen press cabinet or dresser made in the British colonial style. The cabinet features two large front doors with a dramatic sunburst relief carving th...
Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Iron

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Grasscloth Etagere
Located in Southampton, NJ
A Faux bamboo British Colonial style etagere with mirror detailing, fixed interior shelves behind two glass doors; enhanced with green grasscloth interior. Multifunctional for storag...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass

Vintage Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet The cabinet has 2 Doors and 3 Shelves. This cabinet was made in Thailand. Circa 1988 D...
Category

1980s Thai Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage teakwood low bookcase / display cabinet with sliding glass doors This vintage teak bookcase or display cabinet was handmade...
Category

1990s American British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet - Pair This british colonial tall and thin display cabinet has 5 shelves and 2 glass doors. Made of teakwood from Thaila...
Category

Early 1900s Thai Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase This bookcase has 3 shelves. There is no glass top for the bookcase. For an additional fee we are able to produ...
Category

Early 1900s Thai Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

British Colonial X-Design Display Cabinet Reproduction
Located in Pasadena, CA
Cabinet, Display X-Design w/2 Glass Doors Repro A handsome reproduction piece of a British Colonial rosewood X-design display cabinet. The cabinet features intricately carved deta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

British Colonial Teak Wood Display Counter
Located in Chicago, IL
This teak wood display counter was once found in a retail store in Rangoon, Burma. It dates to the early 20th century, c. 1910. During the colonial era, business boomed throughout w...
Category

20th Century Burmese British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Antique British Colonial Rosewood Cabinet with Glass Panel Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial rosewood storage cabinet with glass doors from the early 20th century. This antique display cabinet features a molded cornice atop a tall case with pair of five-panel front doors, set with glass. The skirt and sides of the cabinet remain clean and simple, and has a very subtle elongated carve out giving it an ever so slight raise off of the ground. This piece is made of rosewood, giving it a beautifully rich presence. This storage cabinet stands approximately 6.5 feet tall, and just over 3.75 feet wide, making it a great storage piece. Please note that there is some slight bowing at the lower right door, which doesn't allow the piece to close fully flush at bottom. This 1920s British Colonial rosewood cabinet, offers endless storage and display potential for your treasured collections, hall/bath linens...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

19th Century Ebonized Jackwood British Colonial Box on Stand from British Ceylon
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century ebonized jackwood British Colonial box on stand from British Ceylon (Modern day Sri Lanka). Two part box on Stand is made of Jackwood with eb...
Category

19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Vintage English Walnut Buffet Cabinet with Casters
Located in Seattle, WA
English buffet with marble top and 2 doors. The handles and escutcheons are bronze. It rests on four tapered legs that ends in casters. Dimensions. Approx 36 W ; 30 H ; 19 D.
Category

1920s Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in East Hampton, NY
This piece just took our breath away - all the carved wood details and medallions are master craftsman quality. See all detail images to truly appreciate what an excellent antique pi...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Étagère or Server with Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
William IV English étagère or server, hand crafted in well grained mahogany having two shelves with turned and carved supports with a lower cabinet featuring a zinc lined wine cellar...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Mother of Pearl French Colonial Vietnamese 2-Door Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
A solid rosewood cabinet with the front richly inlaid with mother of pearl depicting birds and a delicate floral motif. Made in Vietnam for the export market. The two doors open to r...
Category

20th Century Vietnamese British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 20th century British Colonial solid ebony two-door display cabinet, from Sri Lanka.
Category

20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Ebony

Historic Corner Commode from Around 1900, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the turn of the century. Very good condition, after professional renovation, chest of drawers finished in polytone. ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style three-tiered cabinet desk with a gallery at the top over three step down compartments covered with grass cloth and framed with faux bamboo. The upper and lower...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Colonial Rosewood Carved Hutch Linen Cabinet with Barley Twist Columns
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Uncompromisingly hand-crafted Colonial cabinet with barley twist columns and removable shelves Circa 1880-90. Constructed from solid Rosewood and sitting on bun feet framed by hand c...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century British Colonial Rosewood Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
19th century Goa rosewood display cabinet with sunburst design on doors. Two small drawers with three large below. Keys included.
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century British Colonial Ceylonese Satinwood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
Early 19th century British Colonial cabinet of wide-paneled and figured solid satinwood with solid ebony trim. Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the few places in the wo...
Category

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Ebony, Satinwood

19th Century British Colonial Satin Wood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
An exquisite 19th century British Colonial four-door cabinet in solid satinwood ebony and features remarkably beautiful carved molding designs of foliage throughout the exterior. The...
Category

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Satinwood

19th C Jamaican Minature Spice Cabinet, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean miniature demipress/spice cabinet was made in Jamaica in the 1830's and is attributed to Ralph Turnbull. This British Colonial piece is c...
Category

19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Coconut, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood

Teak Museum Vitrine Counter
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An exceedingly handsome teak museum vitrine, featuring a glass top and a set of three drawers below. The glass top allows for easy visibility, making it perfect for displaying collec...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Teak, Glass

Related Items
British Colonial Teak Filing Apothecary Cabinet wt Metal Pulls & Lock Mechanism
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Rare solid teak multi-drawer apothecary/file cabinet with locking mechanism and hardware in original patina. Beautifully aged metal pulls. Authentic and fu...
Category

1890s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco cabinet with vitrine. Rosewood with beveled glass sliding doors and bronze mounts, circa 1938.
Category

1930s French Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
H 57.5 in W 42 in D 15 in
Antique Colonial Side Cabinet, Anglo Indian, Drinks, Hall Cupboard, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique colonial side cabinet. An Anglo-Indian, rosewood drinks or hall cupboard, dating to the William IV period, circa 1830. Of striking appearance, with deep colour ...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Vintage Bamboo Style Etagere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive five-shelf etagere with faux bamboo design makes a perfect display shelf for home or business. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Vintage Bamboo Style Etagere
Vintage Bamboo Style Etagere
H 81.5 in W 31.25 in D 15 in
Danish Golden Age Etagere
By Georg Christian Hilker
Located in New York, NY
A Danish painted etagere, Circa 1850's, of rectangular form with four shelves raised on square supports surmounted with ebonized ball finials, with a Classically painted upper and lo...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Paint

Danish Golden Age Etagere
Danish Golden Age Etagere
H 55 in W 19.5 in D 13.5 in
Maitland Smith Neoclassical Cabinet
Located in Countryside, IL
Maitland Smith Neoclassical Cabinet This cabinet measures: 44.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 36.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detail as po...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith Neoclassical Cabinet
Maitland Smith Neoclassical Cabinet
H 36.25 in W 44.5 in D 18.5 in
Small Inlaid Vitrine Display Cabinet
Located in Wilson, NC
The top of this cabinet is inlaid with ebony and boxwood banding. The cabinet section has glass windows on all four sides that have shaped framing. The single drawer below the cabine...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Small Inlaid Vitrine Display Cabinet
Small Inlaid Vitrine Display Cabinet
H 32.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Faux Tortoise Lacquered Buffet Cabinet by Lane Circa 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
Small buffet cabinet lacquered in a faux tortoise shell oil dot pattern, by Lane Furniture circa 1970s.
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century American Cherry Colonial Corner Cupboard China Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early American Corner Cabinet. Made from cherry with original glass and oak shelving. Features a 16 pane display portion and four...
Category

19th Century Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Cherry, Oak

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style burnt bamboo and cane armoire. Signed Bloomingdales. Wear to finish of cane and bamboo (please refer to photos). Additional photos...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Anglo Indian Style Narrow Cabinet with Foliage-Themed Bone Inlaid Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Anglo-Indian style narrow mango wood cabinet with foliage-themed bone inlaid décor, two doors, two drawers, bone hardware and natural patina. Beh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bone, Wood

19th Century Chinese Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
19th century Chinese cabinet with carved panels and painting. From Anhui province this cabinet is made of fir wood and cypress. Outlining th...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

19th Century Chinese Cabinet
19th Century Chinese Cabinet
H 65 in W 40 in D 18 in
Previously Available Items
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Nighstands-A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style burnt bamboo and cane pair of nightstands. Wear to finish of cane and bamboo (please refer to photos). Additional photos available upon request. Would work we...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Antique English Cabinet Bookcase Barley Twist Carved Burl Walnut
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Cabinet Bookcase Barley Twist Carved Burl Walnut. Direct from England, a stunning British cabinet, tall and slender, perfect size for a...
Category

Early 20th Century British British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Nighstands-A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style burnt bamboo and cane pair of nightstands. Signed Bloomingdales. Slight wear to finish of cane (please refer to photos). Additional photos available upon reque...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Scottish Mahogany Haberdashery Drawers, circa 1880
Located in Faversham, GB
An impressive bank of mahogany haberdashery drawers. Raised on four cast iron block feet with intricate classical detailing. Featuring eight deep ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Metal

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Nighstands-A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style burnt bamboo and cane pair of nightstands. Slight wear to finish of cane (please refer to photos). Matching chest of drawers...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Ethan Allen British Colonial Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous British Colonial style lighted bookcase, display cabinet, or china cabinet By Ethan Allen, "British Classics" Collection. USA, late 2...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

19th Century Anglo Japanese Tiger Bamboo Shelving Cabinet
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very decorative 19th century, Anglo Japanese style tiger bamboo shelving cabinet. Rectangular top with three internal fixed shelves. This beautiful and unusual cabinet has lacquered and hand decorated painted designs to each shelf. Good condition rattan sides and a solid wooden back. in Very good condition. The dimensions are: Height: 135cm (53.1in) Width: 69cm (27.2in) Depth: 34cm (13.4in) This Victorian period Anglo Japanese bamboo shelving unit...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Lacquer

Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case The display case has 3 Shelves and 1 Drawer at the bottom. Circa: 1900 Dimens...
Category

Early 1900s Thai Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid-Century British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Cabinet or Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid-century two door cabinet with a bamboo frame and grasscloth panels on the top, sides and front, campaign style brass hardware and plenty of storage.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Hand Painted Cabinet by Baker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful light blue hand painted cabinet by Baker. Gorgeous painted detail. Has shelves and drawers on the left side. Great amount of storage. Key i...
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Hand Painted Cabinet by Baker
Hand Painted Cabinet by Baker
H 37 in W 20 in D 60 in
Tall British Colonial Teak-Carved Cabinet W/ Beautifully Carved Doors, 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial carved-teak wood cabinet from the 19th century. This pair of antique Anglo-Indian cabinets each feature a nicely molded cornice atop two stacked-pair of beaut...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Antique English Oak Brass Banded Barrel Bar Wine Liquor Cabinet Pub Decanter
Located in Tyler, TX
Unique antique English oak brass banded barrel wine or liquor bar cabinet pub decanter~~c. 1920s Sturdy oak barrel with brass banding and hinged doors~~ Interior bar with cutouts holds 8 bottles~~ Round oak serving tray can be placed over lid to create a flat surface or used separately Measures: 21 1/4" tall (add 2" when brass handle is upright). Top of barrel is approximately 14" round/diameter Middle of barrel is approximately 16" round/diameter Add this wonderful conversation piece to your home or commercial bar...
Category

1920s English Vintage British Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

British Colonial cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial cabinets 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 cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial cabinets made in a specific country, there are Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Bloomingdale's, and Maitland Smith. 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 cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,077 and tops out at $22,000 while the average work can sell for $4,200.

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