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British Colonial Desks

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
English Country-Style Pine Wood Kneehole Desk
English Country-Style Pine Wood Kneehole Desk

English Country-Style Pine Wood Kneehole Desk

$3,300

English Country-Style Pine Wood Kneehole Desk

Located in Queens, NY

English Country (late 19th Century) pine wood kneehole desk having a scalloped gallery, three drawers in the frieze on the front side, a bank of three drawers below with brass pull h...

Category

20th Century British British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Brighton Pavilion Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair
Brighton Pavilion Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair

Brighton Pavilion Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair

$4,695 / set

Brighton Pavilion Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair

Located in Southampton, NJ

Brighton Pavilion burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegan...

Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan, Glass

Antique British Colonial Campaign Sawhorse Desk
Antique British Colonial Campaign Sawhorse Desk

Antique British Colonial Campaign Sawhorse Desk

$8,350

Antique British Colonial Campaign Sawhorse Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Handsome 19th century British colonial desk handcrafted in mahogany, having the original tooled and gilt green leather top on a case with three drawers and brass campaign hardware si...

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Luggage Leather Top Desk
Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Luggage Leather Top Desk

Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Luggage Leather Top Desk

$8,350

Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Luggage Leather Top Desk

By Maitland Smith

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Impressive British Colonial style desk crafted in mahogany in a three piece construction with a tooled leather top featuring burnished brass hardware, leather strap pulls on the thre...

Category

20th Century Vietnamese British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk
British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk

British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk

$5,950

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 Desks

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Antique English Georgian Style Leather Top Partners Desk
Antique English Georgian Style Leather Top Partners Desk

Antique English Georgian Style Leather Top Partners Desk

$10,700

Antique English Georgian Style Leather Top Partners Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Handsome British Colonial 19th century English Georgian style partners desk handcrafted in mahogany in three piece construction featuring a tooled leather top, six drawers and a cabi...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

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Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
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H 37.21 in W 35.24 in D 13.59 in

Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...

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Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Desks

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Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk
Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk

Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk

$5,456

H 30.12 in W 54.34 in D 41.93 in

Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1880 Victorian English oak antique knee hole 18 drawer desk A wonderful desk, ...

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1880s English Antique British Colonial Desks

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Leather, Oak

1970s British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo & Grasscloth Chest of Drawers
1970s British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo & Grasscloth Chest of Drawers

1970s British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo & Grasscloth Chest of Drawers

$3,850

H 32 in W 36 in D 19.63 in

1970s British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo & Grasscloth Chest of Drawers

By Ralph Lauren

Located in St. Louis, MO

1970s British Colonial style 3 drawer chest of drawers or dresser, with faux burnt / tortoise bamboo & grasscloth with all panels having applied diamond geometric design. Design is...

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1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Desks

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Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan

Mid-Century Pagoda Form Rattan / Bamboo And Grasscloth Cabinet / Etagere
Mid-Century Pagoda Form Rattan / Bamboo And Grasscloth Cabinet / Etagere

Mid-Century Pagoda Form Rattan / Bamboo And Grasscloth Cabinet / Etagere

$1,695

H 77 in W 33 in D 12.5 in

Mid-Century Pagoda Form Rattan / Bamboo And Grasscloth Cabinet / Etagere

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a rattan pagoda form rattan cabinet. It has two doors that open to shelving. The body is 26.5”L. This piece is unmarked and in very good condition.

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Mid-20th Century Chinese British Colonial Desks

Materials

Grasscloth, Rattan

Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk

Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk

$5,750

H 37.75 in W 30 in D 15.5 in

Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk

Located in Pembroke, MA

A stunning, petite French slant-top desk or "bureau de pente" in the Louis XV style, turquoise and gold polychromed with Chinoiserie detailing, and red under-body. Desk opens to rev...

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Mid-20th Century French British Colonial Desks

Materials

Bronze

18th Century George III Mahogany Kneehole Desk
18th Century George III Mahogany Kneehole Desk

18th Century George III Mahogany Kneehole Desk

$4,830

H 33.47 in W 33.86 in D 19.69 in

18th Century George III Mahogany Kneehole Desk

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a very good quality 18th century George III mahogany kneehole desk, having a well figured mahogany top, above a brushing slide with a single drawer below. The desk has a ...

Category

18th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith
19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith

$6,907

H 30.5 in W 56 in D 24 in

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality, unusual, Victorian mahogany kneehole desk by Francis and James Smith, Glasgow. The top, having three leather writing surfaces, each decorated with gold an...

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19th Century Scottish Antique British Colonial Desks

Materials

Mahogany

1990s British Colonial Faux Bamboo Etagere by Bloomingdale's
1990s British Colonial Faux Bamboo Etagere by Bloomingdale's

1990s British Colonial Faux Bamboo Etagere by Bloomingdale's

$2,600

H 56.5 in W 25 in D 12 in

1990s British Colonial Faux Bamboo Etagere by Bloomingdale's

By Bloomingdale's

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...

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Late 20th Century American British Colonial Desks

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass

Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith
Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith

Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith

$2,995

H 30.5 in W 56.5 in D 30.5 in

Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous large iron desk with embossed leather top and apron by Maitland Smith. Iron with arrow decoration as side supports along with gilt brass accents on the legs. The iron is lac...

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1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

French Faux Bamboo Cabinet
French Faux Bamboo Cabinet

French Faux Bamboo Cabinet

$4,400

H 43 in W 39.5 in D 15 in

French Faux Bamboo Cabinet

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

French Faux Bamboo Cabinet. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

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19th Century French Antique British Colonial Desks

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Wood

Mid-century vintage Drexel heritage French empire style leather top to desk
Mid-century vintage Drexel heritage French empire style leather top to desk

Mid-century vintage Drexel heritage French empire style leather top to desk

$1,650

H 30 in W 54 in D 25 in

Mid-century vintage Drexel heritage French empire style leather top to desk

Located in Allentown, PA

This is a mid-century vintage Drexel Heritage French empire inspired leather topped desk. This desk stands on four elegant fluted legs with brass casters at the bottom. This desk has...

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1960s Vintage British Colonial Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox
American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox

American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox

$750

H 39.25 in W 36 in D 19.25 in

American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox

By Maddox Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Cherry, Brass Pulls Dimensions: 39.25”H x 36”W x 19.25”D Table Height 28"

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1950s American Vintage British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Late-20th Century Faux Bamboo and Red Lacquer Desk by Baker Furniture
Late-20th Century Faux Bamboo and Red Lacquer Desk by Baker Furniture

Late-20th Century Faux Bamboo and Red Lacquer Desk by Baker Furniture

Sold

H 30.25 in W 56 in D 27.75 in

Late-20th Century Faux Bamboo and Red Lacquer Desk by Baker Furniture

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in North Fort Myers, FL

Elegant late 20th Century faux bamboo desk by Baker Furniture featuring the original rich red lacquer finish. This beautifully designed piece includes a single center drawer and open...

Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Desks

Materials

Rattan, Wood

British Colonial Style Bamboo and Woven Rattan Desk With Leather Inset Top
British Colonial Style Bamboo and Woven Rattan Desk With Leather Inset Top

British Colonial Style Bamboo and Woven Rattan Desk With Leather Inset Top

Sold

H 31.5 in W 60 in D 30 in

British Colonial Style Bamboo and Woven Rattan Desk With Leather Inset Top

By Tommy Bahama

Located in North Fort Myers, FL

A striking desk crafted in 2005 in the British Colonial style, featuring bamboo legs, woven rattan drawer fronts, and a tooled leather inset top. Three drawers provide functional sto...

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Early 2000s American British Colonial Desks

Materials

Rattan, Wood, Driftwood

pair of chests of drawers, natural fibers, Signed Kreiss
pair of chests of drawers, natural fibers, Signed Kreiss

pair of chests of drawers, natural fibers, Signed Kreiss

Sold

H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in

pair of chests of drawers, natural fibers, Signed Kreiss

By Kreiss

Located in Nice, FR

Pair of high quality chests of drawers with a warm and timeless appearance. They could be combined with rattan, brass or natural wood elements for a harmonious look. They would be a ...

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1970s American Vintage British Colonial Desks

Materials

Natural Fiber

Vintage Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Campaign Style Desk
Vintage Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Campaign Style Desk

Vintage Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Campaign Style Desk

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H 30 in W 54 in D 24 in

Vintage Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Campaign Style Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

British Colonial style desk crafted with a faux bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around with brass campaign style hardware, having an upper case with three drawers on two pedes...

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Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

E Murio Manila Refinish Chippendale RTattan Slant Top Desk
E Murio Manila Refinish Chippendale RTattan Slant Top Desk

E Murio Manila Refinish Chippendale RTattan Slant Top Desk

Sold

H 44.5 in W 31 in D 21.5 in

E Murio Manila Refinish Chippendale RTattan Slant Top Desk

By E. Murio

Located in North Fort Myers, FL

Introducing a fabulous E. Murio Manila Rattan Chippendale aesthetic movement slant front desk, which also makes a stunning entryway piece. This exquisite item has been meticulously r...

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1990s Philippine British Colonial Desks

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Vintage Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk
Vintage Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk

Vintage Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk

Sold

H 38.5 in W 40 in D 20 in

Vintage Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful British Colonial style writing desk or vanity with two working drawers for storage and reed wrapped joints. Lovely design and a great addition to any space. Very good condi...

Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Desks

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan

Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk
Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk

Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk

Sold

H 30 in W 52 in D 26 in

Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk

By Bielecky Brothers, Bloomingdale's

Located in Southampton, NJ

Midcentury British Colonial Campaign style 5-drawer writing desk or work table with distinct Chinese Chippendale design elements. Marvelous bamboo frame construction wrapped in woven...

Category

20th Century British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk

British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk

Sold

H 31.5 in W 62 in D 38 in

British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Impressive 19th century British colonial partners desk hand crafted in well grained mahogany with a tooled leather top on a case with three drawers on either side over two pedestals ...

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk
Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk

Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk

Sold

H 31.5 in W 54 in D 30 in

Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk

By Bielecky Brothers, Bloomingdale's

Located in Southampton, NJ

Midcentury British colonial campaign style 2-drawer writing desk or work table with distinct Chinese Chippendale design elements. Bamboo frame construction wrapped in woven cane ratt...

Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk

Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk

Sold

H 29 in W 53 in D 40.5 in

Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Handsome British Colonial partners desk hand crafted in mahogany with a brown tooled leather top, two drawers on either side and elegant turned legs on brass casters.

Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk
Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk

Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk

Sold

H 40.5 in W 41.5 in D 22 in

Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Vintage Asian modern British colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and painted grasscloth panels featuring a pagoda form gallery,...

Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

British Colonial desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial desks 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 desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial desks made in a specific country, there are Asia, England, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks, popular names associated with this style include 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 desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,800 and tops out at $11,800 while the average work can sell for $7,250.

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