British Colonial Furniture
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
Maitland Smith Mahogany Octagonal Inlaid Fruitwood Parquetry Trinket Box Casket
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage trinket / keepsake / jewelry / cigar box / casket / chest by Maitland Smith. Octagonal form made from mahogany featuring a parquetry design of inlaid fruitwood, hinged lid, s...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture Split Reed Bamboo 7 Drawer Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
A fantastic British colonial style with some Asian flair by the one and only Baker Furniture. Pencil bamboo chest with seven drawers by Baker Furniture Milling Road.
Category
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
19th Century Campaign Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century mahogany campaign chest. Features simple rectangular lines, brass corners, and brass inset handles. These chests were made for travel, historically for military campaign...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Organic Modern Restored Cane and Bamboo Rising Sun Commodes-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, US
These chests were handled by a caring individual who knows how or had someone to take care of their bamboo furniture. Very light wear for the age of these Commodes. Light refinishin...
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Bentwood
19th Century English Cupboard
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century English Cupboard boasts a stately yet rustic presence, ideal for the casual decor. The shallow design coupled with the mitered front corners makes it exceptionally traf...
Category
1880s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage figural horse bronze table lamp by Maitland Smith featuring a mare and foal in tableau on a charcoal black marble clad base. Includes hard and rectangular tooled / gilded lea...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century English Campaign Marine Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
Located in NICE, FR
This stunning mahogany chest of drawers model was originally used by the British navy. It features charming typical campaign handles as well two carrying handles on both its sides.
...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Thomasville Ernest Hemingway Carved African Antelope Horn Armchair
By Thomasville
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Thomasville Ernest Hemingway African Collection arm chair featuring dark wood frame with antelope horn style arms and zebra fabric.
Dimensions:
33" x 27" d x 36" h; seat 18.5"
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
English Tortoise Burnt Bamboo Stool or Low Side Table, circa 1960’s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1960’s Tortoise Burnt Bamboo Stool Side Table, England.
Elegant and sturdy stool with both form and function. Versatile piece that looks wonderful ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Chateau Edgewater Inc Faux Bamboo & Alligator Domed Keepsake Trinket Vanity Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Chateau Edgewater Inc keepsake box. Features a domed exterior with faux alligator / bamboo form. Includes brass hardware with a silk line interior.
DIMENSIONS
19" x 11" x 11.25"h
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Alligator
Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured***
Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC
Measures -...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Robert Lighton British Khaki Teak Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Silk Curtains 92"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Robert Lighton British Khaki X armoire / wardrobe / TV console / cabinet. Made of teak featuring dark ebonized finish with double jointed doors that open to campaign style e...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage English Brass, Copper, and Pewter Chess Set
By Harrods
Located in Skokie, IL
Vintage English Brass, Copper, and Pewter Chess Set
This is a very fine English brass, copper, and pewter gaming set, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. The chess board is...
Category
1980s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper, Pewter
McGuire Style Laced Leather Rawhide Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
Set of four laced leather rattan dining chairs or armchairs made in the manner and style of McGuire. Director's style armchairs featuring woven rawhide seats and backs reinforced wit...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rattan, Wood
Mid-century solid brass obelisk lamp after Chapman
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome mid-century vintage library style solid brass obelisk lamp. This obelisk lamp has a pedestal with four ball feet, holding up the obelisk with a metal black lacquer...
Category
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
3 framed & signed pencil drawings of Indian gentlemen in regional dress, 19th C
Located in London, GB
Three highly charismatic and personal portrait drawings if Indian gentlemen. Dating from the late 19th century and in original glass and oak frames they portray a Pathan hillman and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak, Paper
Nice antique English tilt-top table/side table with a square top
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this nice antique English tilt-top table/side table with a square top. This charming table is in a good condition and the original tilting mechanism still works well. It's...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique 1808 Thomas Rowlandson Pugin Doctors Commons Aquatint Engraving
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 1808 aquatint engraving titled "Doctor's Commons" drawn by Thomas Rowlandson, engraved by Auguste Charles Pugin, aquatint by Joseph Constantine Stadler. Published in London, ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Maitland Smith Carved Mahogany & Rattan Queen Anne Plant Stand Beverage Chiller
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful late 20th Century plant stand / planter by Maitland Smith. Made from mahogany with a rectangular form over swooping cabriole legs and scrolled feet. Features scallop carv...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Culver City, CA
Campaign Chest of Drawers
England circa 1920
Navy chest of drawers with hidden compartments.
38”w x 18.5”d x 35.25”h
Category
1920s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
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 Furniture
Materials
Rush, Oak
Palacek floor lamps a pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of woven reed Palacek floor lamps .60 inches tall on a 12 x 12 wooden base.. on the back of each lamp, there are doors that give access to the lightbulbs and the shades… Very...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
Pair of British Colonial Style Etched Mercury Glass Lanterns or Light Fixtures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of exotic lanterns hand blown in classic form, hanging from hammered metal hardware featuring etched floral designs on a translucent mercury background.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass
Vintage Burberry Leather Plaid Case or Wallet
By Burberry
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Burberry cigarette case or wallet with flap closure.
Good condition vintage cigarette pack holder, great to use as a wallet or to store...
Category
Late 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
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 Furniture
Materials
Glass, Teak
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 Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Beautiful English Center Table 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful English Center Table 19th Century
Facaded in mahogany wood and mahogany root with inlays.
Top decorated with marquetry, with plant motifs, resting on four turned columns w...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
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, ba...
Category
20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Ebonized Console Sofa Table with Drawers and Brass Hardware, Turned Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Ebonized console sofa table with drawers and brass hardware.
Offered for sale is an ebonized wood console or sofa table that would make a wonderful server. This heavy substantia...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Bone Inlaid And Carved Moroccan Teak Side Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of heavily carved hexagon form teak and bone inlaid Moroccan side tables. They most likely date to at least the 1950s or earlier. They are both in very good condition.
Category
1950s Moroccan Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bone, Teak
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Leather Clad Desk by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive Mid Century desk crafted with a faux bamboo frame having a faux tortoise finish featuring tooled leather panels on the top, front, side and back, lower tier storage and be...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Faux Bamboo
Century Furniture Wedge Side Table
Located in Toronto, ON
Uniquely shaped and in almost showroom condition, this fantastic piece of solid wood furniture oozes with craftsmanship. Fabricated with a mix of woodworking techniques including a d...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Tooled Leather Traditional Carved Campaign Style Office Writing Desk 62"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century campaign style desk. Features a rectangular form with brown tooled leather top and two drawers in the frieze. Each drawer has brass lion knocker pulls. The desk is ...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Pair of British Colonial Style Bamboo & Cane Side Tables
Located in Bellport, NY
Pair of British Colonial style faux tortoise shell bamboo and cane side tables. Two levels, great for a lamp, books on second level. A style that is transitional, which blends in w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Baker Pair of Vintage British Colonial Caned Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large scale pair of mid century British colonial style stands with two caned tiers having turned supports with finials at the tops, classic legs and brass casters. Signed Baker on th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Sheesham Blanket Trunk Chest Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century British Colonial style Sheesham wood blanket storage chest or coffee table. Features a beautiful two tone finish with iron hardware.
Dimensions:
16" x 24" x 16"h
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Maitland Smith Harlequin Penshell Brass Footed Decorative Modern Box Urn
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Maitland Smith Lidded Box / Urn. Features a beautiful Harlequin pattern Penshell exterior resting on a footed brass neoclassical style tasseled base. The lid opens ...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Maitland Smith Bronze Monkey Riding Ostrich Table Lamp Leather Shade 39"
Located in Dayton, OH
A charming late 20th century table lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a bronze Ostrich carrying a Monkey. The bronze is over a round tessellated marble base and includes a embossed ost...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Albert Engstrom Leather & Gilt Swedish Book Set, C. 1945
By Bonniers
Located in Ross, CA
Set of 6, leather bound book set written by Albert Engstrom (1869-1940), published by Bonnier's in Stockholm in 1945. The Swedish language books are books are filled with the author...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
Vintage Maitland Smith Figural Bronze Monkey Desk Lamp With Pen Shell Shade 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive handmade figural bronze lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a monkey climbing a tree branch, holding an adjustable banker style pen shell shade. The bronze is mounted to a...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Welsh Cupboard ~ Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Welsh Cupboard ~ Sideboard is a clever design originating in what is now called the UK, providing means to store cups, saucers and linens, while displaying some of the family...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Steel
Antique Colonial Plantation Woven Lounge Chair Curved Paddle Armrest
Located in Rümmingen, BW
"shipping note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options please contact us directly"
Introducing a British Colonial long paddle arm plantation lounge chair...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Adjustable sheepskin leather office chair in good condition, English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this adjustable sheepskin leather office chair in good condition, English style, with swivel and tilt function.
Who wouldn't want this? We certainly do! Secretly, doesn'...
Category
1990s British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Sheepskin
Early 20th-C. British Colonial Style Carved Oak Pineapple Form Pedestals -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century British colonial style carved oak pineapple form pedestals. They are in very good condition and are a great size to support your statuary or plants!
Category
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century figural horse bronze table lamp by Maitland Smith featuring a mare and foal in tableau on a charcoal black marble clad base. Includes hard and rectangular tooled / ...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique English Iron Milner's Patent Fire Resisting Safe Painted Green
Located in Centennial, CO
Antique late 1800s English iron Milner's Patent Fire Resisting Safe painted a gorgeous dark green with painted aqua interior. Gorgeous embossed brass circular plate and key plate wit...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Seat of 4 Swedish Circa 1900s Faux Bamboo Beech 'Bodafors' Dining Chairs
By Bodafors
Located in London, GB
Set of four late Circa 19th century faux bamboo beech dining chairs made for Bodafors with rush mat in the Japanese style to the seats.
Wear and tear commensurate with their age and ...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Beech
Maitland Smith Brass Nautical Maritime Binnacle Ship Compass Gimbal Oil Lamp 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith reclaimed brass nautical / maritime binnacle gimbal ship's compass with double oil lamps.
Dimensions:
13.5" x 10" x 10" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Boho British Colonial Bamboo & Rattan Desk
By Dal Vera
Located in Trenton, NJ
Introducing this Vintage British Colonial Style Grasscloth and Bamboo Writing Desk – a tropical oasis for your workspace that’s as stylish as it is sustainable! Say goodbye to boring...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood
Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base.
Dimensions:
17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest on Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 18th century British Colonial chest with a beaded cornice over three drawers with campaign hardware in the top of the case and ...
Category
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
A 19th Century Brass Bound Mandalay Teak Campaign Dressing Box, Burma Circa 1860
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
These boxes were made for British military officers who were posted in Burma (now Myanmar) & India during the days of British rule.
The brass & copper bound teak case is profusely ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
Pair of Lost Wax Bronze Pineapple Lamps from the Cote d'Ivoire
Located in East Hampton, NY
These pineapples were made from the lost wax process in early 20th C. Pineapples are a traditional Western symbol of welcome. They are heavy solid bronze pineapples mounted on a sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Ivorian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Vintage Tortoise Faux Bamboo Console-Sideboard-70s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Vintage Tortoise Faux Bamboo Console - Sideboard from the 70s
This Faux Bamboo Buffet is both - practical and pretty.
Beautifully wrapped Wickerwork Drawers and Sides - encase...
Category
1970s French Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Hide, Rattan
King Size Teak & Caned Back Bed Frame by British Khaki
Located in Southampton, NY
King size teak & caned back bed frame by British Khaki
British Colonial style design in teak and hand-caned headboard. Clean and classic style bed ...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Teak
British Colonial Style Burnt Tortoise Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegant splay front legs and matching caned seat c...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.
Chessboard, Backgammon table, games table, early 20th century, carved wood chess pawn.
h: 72cm, w: 77...
Category
Early 20th Century European British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's, and Ralph Lauren. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $3,161.
British Colonial Interiors
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