Late 20th Century Stacking Luggage-Form Leather & Woven Rattan Side Table Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Stacking Luggage-Form Leather and woven rattan Chest Side Table featuring 3 drawers with leather pulls and William and Mary Style wooden legs. Measure 25.5" in wi...
Leather, Wood, Rattan
Mid-Century Coastal Rattan Three-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa With New Sunbrella
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
The sculptural form, warm honey-toned rattan, lattice detailing and fresh tailored upholstery make this an exceptional statement piece for an Old Florida, British Colonial, tropical ...
Rattan, Wicker, Upholstery
Large Vintage Handwoven Rattan and Cane Urn Form Table Lamp
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The lamp beautifully bridges a number of design traditions, recalling British Colonial interiors, tropical modernism, organic modern design, and the relaxed sophistication of coastal...
Metal
1990's Coastal Pedestal Dining Table, Rattan, Glass, Leather, Palecek
By Palecek Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine pedestal dining / center or game table of solid wood faux bamboo and twisted rope styling, accented with leather joinery with round glass top. Excellent vintage condition, rea...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Large Pencil Reed Rattan Floor Vase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury floor vase crafted in pencil reed with a Classic form and warm lush finish.
Reed
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...
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Vintage Boho Coastal Burnt Bamboo Two Tiered Sculptural Wall Shelves
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Beautifully aged with rich patina, these shelves embody effortless Old Florida charm and look right at home in a coastal, British Colonial, or organic modern interior. Details • Vin...
Rattan
Vintage Anglo Indian Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 5
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your dining space with this stately set of five vintage Anglo-Indian dining chairs, a masterful blend of British Colonial structure and tropical artisanal detail.
Rattan, Mahogany
Vintage Tortoise Bamboo Wall Cabinet with Mirror, Aesthetic Movement Style
Located in Southampton, NJ
A delightful vintage tortoise bamboo single door wall cabinet with mirror, accented with grass cloth surround and one shelf. A marvelous option for Coastal settings with an appreciat...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Hexagon Coffee Table English Tortoise Bamboo and Cane, 1970's
Located in Southampton, NJ
A British Colonial style Hexagonal Coffee / Cocktail table with bamboo rattan Chinese Chippendale fretwork frame & cane top.
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Coastal Brighton Pavilion Bamboo and Cane Accent Chair
By Brighton Pavilion 1, Brunschwig & Fils
Located in Southampton, NJ
Fabulous burnt bamboo British Colonial style Brighton Pavilion accent chair with new custom seat & down filled back cushion in delightful Brunschwig & Fils upholstery. The chair fea...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Hanging Wicker Monkey after Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Torres
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small hanging wicker monkey holding a grouping of leaves. This cute brown monkey is created from wicker and features arms and legs which are bent so that they may hang from any spo...
Wicker, Rattan, Paint
Vintage Coastal Tortoise Bamboo Octagonal Dining Table With Decoupage Floral Top
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A true statement piece that blends Old Florida, British Colonial, and organic coastal style effortlessly.
Bamboo, Rattan, Plywood
Vintage Maitland Smith Nailhead Leather Screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent three-panel floor screen by Maitland-Smith is a masterwork of mixed-material artistry, reflecting a sophisticated blend of British Colonial and Hollywood Regency inf...
Brass
$3,200 / set
Pair of Tray Tables or Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of folding tray or serving tables with woven rattan tops ambitiously crafted with galleries on folding X style bases.
Rattan
Vintage Cane Wrapped Frame Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The intricate canework provides a rich, organic texture that captures the essence of 1970s Hollywood Regency and British Colonial aesthetics. Architectural details, such as the miter...
Rattan, Mirror
Vintage Handwoven Pencil Reed Basket with Bentwood Handle
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautifully handcrafted vintage pencil reed basket featuring a gracefully arched bentwood handle and tightly coiled handwoven construction. The basket's warm honey-toned patina, or...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Three Drawer Bamboo and Wicker Console
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Console is in very good condition. Can work in any decor.
Bamboo, Rattan
$3,890 / set
Set Of 8 mid century Bamboo 2 armchairs 6 chairs
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 chairs and 2 armchairs British colonial style bamboo rattan and leather
Leather, Bamboo
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.