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.
Ralph Lauren British Colonial Carved Mahogany Sideboard Buffet or Console Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial, American Classical, or Victorian style carved mahogany sideboard, buffet server, or console table By Ralph Lauren Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 6...
Mahogany
Antique Tall British Colonial Console Table with Mirrored Skirt
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique English console table finished all around featuring a flame grained and crossbanded top over a distressed mirror and f...
Wood
Console Carved, England Mahogany, XIXth
Located in Nice, FR
Console carved in English mahogany, XIX th, carved base, with two drawers in front.
Mahogany
Andrianna Shamaris Raffles Teak Wood Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Rare. This beautiful teak wood colonial console has a single slab 2.5” beveled top. The antique raffles console table is part of the antique collection, which represents an elegant line of antique teak...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Three Drawer Bamboo and Wicker Console
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Console is in very good condition. Can work in any decor.
Bamboo, Rattan
19th Century Anglo Indian Carved Rosewood Console Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A mid 19th century beautiful and highly decorative British colonial rosewood console table supported by four profusely carved legs terminating into mythical animal faces at the table...
Wood
Ralph Lauren Italian 'Mayfield' Mahogany Center or Dining Table
By Ralph Lauren, Theodore Alexander
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined "Mayfield Center Table" by Ralph Lauren features a substantial circular top finished in a radiant book matched mahogany veneer. The table is produced in Italy by artisans a...
Mahogany
$5,400 / item
H 30 in W 60 in D 20 in
Console Table No. 1 - Fluentum Series in bent ash wood by Raka Studio
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
The console is designed using the ancient Japanese technique of wood bending. At Raka Studio we create designs using this technique which are fluid in the...
Hardwood, Bentwood, Ash
$3,000
H 29.5 in W 25 in D 31 in
Ralph Lauren Home Cannes Mahogany & Brass End or Bedside Table, French Style
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Ralph Lauren home cannes end or bedside table with concealed single drawer. Beautifully patterned Mahogany wood top is trimmed in solid brass. Curved Mahogony wood legs feature decorative brass fittings. This tall rectangular French style table...
Brass
Spanish Colonial Narrow Walnut Console Table, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish colonial narrow console table. This piece has legs with two pedestals joined by a wooden stretcher.
Walnut
19th C. British Neoclassical Console Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely constructed and elegant pier table with white marble top. The figured wood frieze with two flush drawers flanking a center panel with a bronze mount with scrolls and winged ...
Marble, Brass
$2,068Sale Price|33% Off
H 37.8 in W 31.89 in D 16.15 in
Side Table Hall or Console Oak Table Spanish Colonial Revival, circa 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
Spanish hall side or console table. Handsome and practical. Spanish Colonial revival, circa 1890 Twisted carved legs. Good condition. Shipping: L81 P41 H96 21 Kg.
Wrought Iron
Ralph Lauren Mahogany Traditional Extendable Dining Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in New York, NY
Ralph Lauren Home mahogany dining table with two leaves. Features polished finish with cabriole legs and claw feet. Dimensions: 137.5” Total Length with leaves 47.7” Width 30.5” H...
Mahogany
$2,137Sale Price|25% Off
H 29.34 in W 31.5 in D 11.23 in
Spanish Colonial Narrow Console Table with Two Drawers with Iron Hardware
By Valenti
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish colonial narrow console table with two carved drawers This piece has a two-pedestal legs with an awesome carved. We have a matching piece you can see in the last picture...
Iron
$1,262Sale Price|30% Off
H 19.69 in W 33.47 in D 11.82 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Three Drawer Console Table in Teak
Located in Karis, Nyland
Scandinavian mid-century three drawer console table in teak. Sleek design and ample storage make it a perfect addition to any living space.
Teak
Lucite wall console table with mirror , 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Lucite wall console table with mirror , 1970s
Lucite
Console Table & Matching Mirror
Located in Washington, DC
Suite of painted Napoleon III carved wood console table and matching mirror. Mirror Dimensions: H 51" - W 31.5"
Wood, Paint, Mirror
$1,984 / set
H 35.83 in W 48.43 in D 16.15 in
19th century Anglo-Indian Hand-Carved Wooden Console, Rajasthan
Located in Aartselaar, BE
This 19th-century Anglo-Indian console table originates from Rajasthan, India and is crafted from solid dark wood. It features a beautifully hand-carved front with intricate wave and...
Wood
Chinese Bamboo Altar Console Table With Brighton Pavilion Fretwork
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, This spectatorial late 19th century Chinese Bamboo Altar Console in the well known Brighton Pavilion Fretwork style. This antique Chinese bamboo altar table has everted end...
Bamboo, Rosewood
British Colonial Style Cherry and Caned Three Tier Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A British Colonial Style Cherry and Caned shelves Three Tier Side Table. Newer caning. Measures 20.5" w x 20.5"D x 28"H.
Wood, Cane, Cherry
Sold
H 29.75 in W 33 in D 17.25 in
British Colonial Style Small Desk or Console Table, Faux Bamboo and Cane
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Gorgeous petite desk, console table, or vanity. Has many different uses. One small drawer in the middle. Framed in a faux burnt bamboo with cane sides, has a British Colonial style l...
Faux Bamboo
Sold
H 30 in W 53.75 in D 19.75 in
Antique English Console Hall Table Slender Carved Oak 6 Bobbin Legs Sideboard
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Console Hall Table Slender Carved Oak 6 Bobbin Legs Sideboard. Direct from England, a very long and slender (4.5 ft. length) antique hall or console table, that perf...
Oak
19th Century Dolphin Form Carved Pine Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Wonderful classic Dolphin Form Carved Pine Console Table. The molded edge single board demi-lune top, with triple carved dolphin supports, on an integrated molded canted base. Extrem...
Wood, Pine
Wicker Elephant Console
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Elephant head console or wall bracket crafted with a sturdy metal frame wrapped with chuspata, from the FS Flores Collection, made in Mexico, exclusively designed and offered by F. S...
Reed
Sold
H 26.25 in W 60 in D 15 in
Colonial Style Red Lacquered Chippendale Inspired Faux Bamboo Console Table
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Designed with references to British Colonial and Chippendale charistics this Mid Century console table features a three panel glass top on a background of woven cane. The frame is ed...
Cane, Glass, Wood
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style server or console crafted in bamboo with grasscloth panels on two tiers with a two drawer case and featuring Chinese chippendale motifs on the sides.
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Console
By Bielecky Brothers, Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's
Located in Southampton, NJ
midcentury British Colonial Campaign style single drawer console or work table with distinct Chinese Chippendale design elements. Bamboo frame construction wrapped in woven cane ratt...
Brass
British Colonial Sheraton Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable early 19th century server or bar handcrafted in mahogany with a dark lush finish having a gallery around the top, two drawers, and long elegant turned legs.
Mahogany
British Colonial Style Three Tiered Stand by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style stand crafted in mahogany with a flame cut top and two lower caned tiers having turned and twisted supports on brass feet. Signed Milling Road Baker o...
Brass
British Colonial Style Cane and Bamboo Tray Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
38.5? British Colonial style cane and bamboo tray table Charming and perfect for serving cocktails or breakfast in bed, this vintage rattan butler tray features two cut-out handle...
Bamboo