British Colonial Boxes
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...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
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 Boxes
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Alligator
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 Boxes
Materials
Leather
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 Boxes
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped.
Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan.
Southern Heirlooms Eliza...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box
Located in Austin, TX
Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Wood
Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot
By SILVA (Sri Lanka)
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb Ceylonese porcupine quill lidded pot in a most unusual conical shape
Fashioned in dark wood and decorated with quill pieces
All quills are present and in excellent order. Int...
Category
1950s Sri Lankan Vintage British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Antique English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of Schottenstein Stores Corp. The Schottenstein family...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver
Sterling Navette Form Dutch Scene Gilt Interior Tea Caddy British Import Mark
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A sterling silver navette form Dutch scene gilt interior tea caddy with British import mark, makers mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck, (Sheffield 1897). Decorated with couples in a t...
Category
1890s English Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Rose Chintz Egg Shaped Ceramic Trinket Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage rose chintz egg shaped ceramic trinket box with hinged lid.
This 20th century vintage ceramic egg (Trinket Box) stands on shaped legs, i...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Pair of Victory V Gums Tins, England, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique set of 2 Tin Boxes for Victory V Gums, England.
This British Brand made Liquorice-flavoured lozenges,
each by hand so every sweet contained the correct amount of therapeutic ingredient.
This Counter Cannisters - Advertising Boxes...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Tin
19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
Located in Dallas, TX
Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece.
Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods.
This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony.
The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining.
This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!!
We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction.
ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins.
Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:-
(1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Wood
Related Items
Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Lacquered wood boxes, China, 20th century"
6 cups each inside, perfect condition.
Category
20th Century Chinese British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Germany 800 Silver Banded Cigarette Case
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage German 800 silver cigarette case.
This piece features a banded etched striped design on both sides with a triangular design border. Push button mechanism to open. Elastic ...
Category
20th Century German British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Silver
Cigar case, wooden cigar case, travel cigar case
By RINOCCA
Located in Skopje, MK
This cigar case is made of fine selection of walnut wood. It's a travel box and it fits two cigars with a size of 155x22 mm. It's designed to keep the aroma of the cigars long and to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Macedonian British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Antique Leather & Silver Cigarette Case
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Leather Cigarette Case With Silver Fittings.
A fine leather two-part cigarette case with a good silver mount. The mount is hallmarked, Birmingha...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Silver
Audubon by TIFFANY & Co Limoges Porcelain Vanity Trinket Box Chinoiserie Decor
By Limoges, Tiffany & Co.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Audubon by TIFFANY & Co Limoges Porcelain Vanity Round Jar.
Highly collectible Audubon by Tiffany, Chinese Pavilion produced in France by Limoges.
Tiffany & Co Audubon Limoges France Porcelain trinket box decorated in the Audubon Chinoiserie pattern.
A lovely vintage porcelain vintage Limoges trinket jewelry box hand painted with colorful red and blue birds sitting in a tree, with a pagoda style gold bird cage decorated with gold trim.
Grab this one of a kind decorative collectible trinket box designed by Tiffany & Co and made by Limoges France to set upon your dresser, nightstand, coffee table, or shelves.
Whatever you do with this cute but luxurious box, put it in eyes view, because it will never fail to make you smile.
Set upon your fine china cabinet and create a luxurious pairing with other fine Hermes...
Category
Mid-20th Century French British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
R Y Augousti Organic Modern Lacquer Wood Inlaid Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and Minimalist trinket box by R Y Augousti. This rare beauty is a unique trinket box or decorative box that brings minimal shape with organic beauty. Constructed of wood pa...
Category
1990s Philippine British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box
Located in Forney, TX
A antique Victorian era English campaign style brass bound mahogany portable lap desk / writing slope with nicely aged patina. circa 1850
Commonly used by military officers in the f...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Brass Bound Oak Cigar Humidor 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a stylish antique Victorian oak brass and cedar lined tabletop cigar humidor circa 1860 in date.
The rectangular box features a lift out tray and adjustable divisions with sunken handles to the sides and a hinged lid with a central brass shield.
Complete with the original Bramah lock and key.
It would make a beautiful gift to any connoisseur of fine cigars.
Condition:
In excellent condition. As an antique items, the humidor shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, it displays beautifully.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 19.5 x Width 44 x Depth 29
Dimensions in inches:
Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 11 inches
Humidor
is any kind of box or room with constant humidity that is used to store cigars, cigarettes, orpipe tobacco. For private use, small wooden or acrylic glass humidor boxes for a few dozen cigars are used, while cigar shops may have walk-in humidors.
Humidors can be used to store other goods for which a certain level of humidity is desirable; the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team stores game balls in a large humidor at their home stadium, Coors Field, to counteract the effects of Denver's high altitude and generally low humidity. Humidors of all sizes use hygrometers to keep track of the humidity levels.
Classification of humidors
Walk-in humidor - most common in cigar bars or stores. One room is built as or converted to a humidor where all the cigars are stored.
Cabinet humidor - usually placed on the floor as a piece of furniture. Typically holds 1000-5000 cigars.
Table humidor - often quite heavy, though portable in theory, it's usually kept in one location. Capacity ranges from three hundred to a few thousand cigars. It usually comes with a polished wood exterior, marble, leather or combination of exotic elements, and glass top.
Personal humidor - semi-regular cigar smokers will sometimes keep a small humidor in their homes for personal storage, special events, or aesthetic characteristics of the humidor itself . Usually contains 20-75 cigars. This may also be known as a "Desktop Humidor".
Travel humidor - portable and made for carrying cigars enough for the outing or event, usually 2 to 10 cigars.
Oak
is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus - Latin "oak tree" having approximately 600 extant species. Oak wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn. Oak wood is very durable, easy to maintain and resistant to wear and tear which is why it can be easily handed to the next generations if taken well care of.
Oak wood virtually lasts forever and you can still admire oak furniture in museums and palaces even if it was made many centuries ago. Oak has been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior panelling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London and in the construction of fine furniture.
Bramah
is London's oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Marylebone, London and Romford, Essex.
Bramah made their first lock in 1784 and the patent was awarded in 1787. The designer was Joseph Bramah. Joseph Bramah was a leading inventor of the industrial revolution, patenting over 18 new ideas, including a new valve for the water closet (toilet), the hydraulic pump, a fountain pen, and a fire engine.
Bramah also introduced a beer hand pump for use at the bar, to prevent fluid loss when barmen went downstairs to pour a new jug! Due to the quality of his manufacturing, his name became a by-word amongst British Engineers for engineering excellence and many of his inventions are on display in the Science Museum in London. You can find one of his original toilets still working in Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight.
The Bramah lock was unique and advanced property and valuables protection enormously. Indeed it was 50 years ahead of any Chubb lock...
Category
1860s English Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Oak, Cedar
Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor.
The cigars depicted are for illustrative purposes only.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
1960s Astonishing Box in Onyx. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing box in onyx. Made in Italy. This box is amazing and in excellent condition.
Dimension:
5,90 x 4,33 x 1,57 H inches
15 x 11 x 4 H cm
Category
1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Onyx
Ornate Antique Sterling Silver Pink Porcelain Vanity Powder Jar Trinket Box
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Gorgeous trinket box or powder jar featuring an ornate scroll and lattice design sterling silver overlay over a pretty pink porcelain. The mark on the bottom is not legible.
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Carved Wooden Trinket Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
A decoratively pyrographed trinket box inset with fine corrugated brass. The top is carved with concentric circles and a simple cross hatch pattern detaile...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
Previously Available Items
Satinwood and Rosewood Book Box with Hidden Compartments
Located in Nantucket, MA
An early 1900s rosewood and satinwood book box with lock and key and intricate interior compartments. The interior tray lifts out for space underneath, ...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Rosewood, Satinwood
Faux Zebra Painted Wood Box w/ Brass Table Stand, 1970's
Located in Rochester, NY
Faux zebra painted lidded wood box with a beautifully designed brass handle. Box sets into the original fitted brass table stand. Box on stand measures 19" h x 21" w x 13" d / box a...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
Early 19th-Century, George III Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exquisite George III inlaid tea caddy from the early 19th century.
Remarkable design with a distinct starburst escutcheon, evoking timeless charm.
Measurements: 13" L X 7" W X X 8" H
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Wood, Velvet
19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique 19th century British Colonial handcrafted porcupine quill and ebony box, made in Matara, Ceylon the colonial name for Sri Lanka. This fine box has a decorative raised ...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Bone, Ebony
Cigar Box or Humidor
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical midcentury lidded cigar box crafted in cedar and featuring a brass lid handle depicting a cigar in hand, hand painted labels over a tobacco colored finish, and brass tobacc...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Cedar
Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century
Wood with bone inlays.
Rectangular body on round feet, hinged lid with hinges, inside with 4 inlays.
Decorated with leg decorat...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
Theodore Alexander Walnut Olive Burl Parquetry Trinket Jewelry Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Elegant lidded trinket box casket by Theodore Alexander handcrafted with a parquetry or marquetry design, footed bun feet and brass handles. Made of walnut with olive burl matchbook ...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Olive, Walnut, Burl
H 6.75 in W 12 in D 15 in
Dutch Colonial Miniature Commode Dressoir in Coromandel Wood, Ceylon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Miniature chest-of-drawers
Sri Lanka, late 18th-early 19th century.
Calamander wood, Indian rosewood and palm wood, silver escutcheon, and English locks.
Measures: Height 23.3 cm., width 36.4 cm., depth 23.5 cm.
This chest-of-drawers has three drawers, the top one with partitions for writing materials, such as pens, inkpots, paper, etc. Like document boxes, miniature table cabinets...
Category
Late 18th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Free Shipping
H 9.14 in W 14.34 in D 9.26 in
Zebra Painted Box on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury lidded wood box decorated in faux zebra paint with a decorative handle and set on a burnished brass stand.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Anglo Indian Stationery Campaign Chest, Outstanding
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an absolutely stunning and extremely rare 19th century Anglo-Indian Stationery Campaign chest/box.
Gorgeous and extremely rare and unique 19th century piece, made in 1897.
Large in size.
Everything about this chest 'oozes' quality, from the locks, to the inlay, to the interior and to the marquetry detail!
Made primarily of teak, it is beautifully inlaid with brass (in the Boulle style), bone and ebony on top. Brass bound for Campaign use on top and sides and stunning specimen wood marquetry on all sides. Brass inlaid string throughout. Recessed brass carry handles.
The gorgeous floral marquetry features a bull's head as it central motif.
The front base panel drops down to open the interior by key (it has its original key). Once open it hinges to reveal a two-tier interior with stationary drawers, gorgeous original velvet lining and fret work. By removing all internal drawers, you can access a hidden button that releases a secret drawer.
Some people have called this a 'Zanzibar Box...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Brass
Colonial British Teak and Glass Tea Caddy, Early 1900s
Located in Nantucket, MA
British Colonial teak and pressed glass tea caddy. Pressed glass on all sides along with the lift out center. A hairline crack on top center right, photo attached, but all is intact....
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Teak
Early 19th Century New Zealand Specimen Wood Box
Located in London, by appointment only
Extremely rare early 19th century New Zealand specimen wood casket.
An early example with a wonderful color and patina
Beautifully made...
Category
Early 19th Century New Zealand Antique British Colonial Boxes
Materials
Wood
British Colonial boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include Samuel Boyce Landeck, and SILVA (Sri Lanka). 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $149 and tops out at $2,800 while the average work can sell for $585.
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