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.
English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in North Miami, FL
This piece just took our breath away - all the carved wood details and medallions are master craftsman quality. See all detail images to truly appreciate what an excellent antique pi...
Brass
British Colonial Secretary Cabinet from Indonesia
Located in New York, NY
A tall Indonesian antique secretary with twin glass panel doors, mid-19th century. British Colonial style. Polychromed teak wood in two tones of red, plus gilt accents. Three shel...
Glass, Wood
$356Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 9.85 in D 9.45 in
Vintage Teak Mini Chair from Madura Island, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mini stool from the late 20th century features a beautiful wood texture, crafted from a solid block of teak. Stools such as these were used on the Island of Madura by workers in...
Wood, Teak
$7,192Sale Price|20% Off
H 62.21 in W 44.1 in D 23.23 in
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining We present you this piece of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Baize, Mahogany
$2,950
H 71.5 in W 39.5 in D 19.5 in
Indonesian Cabinet with Rattan Doors, Drawers and Fretwork Sliding Panels
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Indonesian kitchen cabinet from the early 20th century, with fretwork sliding doors, drawers and rattan accents. Born in Indonesia during the ...
Iron
Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Fall Front Secretary Desk in solid oak, England, late 18th to early 19th Century. This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk in solid oak with brass fitti...
Brass
$822Sale Price|30% Off
H 65 in W 14 in D 27 in
Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early American style secretary desk / bookcase / writing bureau / larkin / chalet . Made of oak featuring a serpentine design with drop front that opens to multiple cubbies ...
Oak
$1,995
H 39.25 in W 24 in D 17.5 in
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Desk by Maddox, Asian Motif, 1970s
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene, traditional Asian motif from head to toe. The gold and greens appear as mystical and radiant...
Brass
French Deco Ladies Secretary, Chest in Wood Circa 1930
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Secretary, chest with a drop front and two lower doors that open to reveal a polished mahogany interior. Images five, six, and seven show the piece's interior drawers and shelves.
Wood
$13,950
H 87.5 in W 48 in D 21.75 in
European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall European painted wood two-part secretary from the early 19th century, with molded cornice, dentil molding, slanted front desk and graduated drawers. Created in Europe during t...
Brass
Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800. This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap ...
Mahogany
$2,900
H 37 in W 28.5 in D 44 in
Dutch Colonial Indonesian Cane and Wood Plantation Chair with Extending Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Dutch Colonial Indonesian cane and wood plantation chair from the 20th century with extending arms and turned baluster legs. This antique Dutch Colonial Indonesian plantation chair from the 20th century is an exquisite blend of form and function, showcasing the artistry of the Dutch Colonial era in Indonesia. Crafted from sturdy wood and adorned with traditional cane weaving, this chair boasts extending arms and elegant turned baluster legs that elevate its timeless design. The plantation chair features a generously sized, curved seat and a sloping backrest, both expertly crafted with caning to provide comfort and breathability in tropical climates. The caning adds a sense of airiness and lightness to the chair, making it an inviting spot to relax and unwind. A standout feature of this Dutch Colonial Indonesian chair...
Cane, Wood
$3,250
H 51 in W 35 in D 15.5 in
Antique Indonesian Wooden Cabinet with Carved and Painted Geometric Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Indonesian wooden cabinet from the 19th century, with carved and painted doors. Born in Indonesia during the 19th century, this wooden cabi...
Wood
18th Century English Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Queen Anne period furnishings such as this walnut secretary are incredibly rare and important examples of English cabinetmaking. This secretary is of the most outstanding caliber, boasting desirable double bonnet, mirrored cabinet doors...
Walnut
Antique British Colonial Campaign Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British Colonial Campaign chest handcrafted in mahogany featuring a pullout desk in the top with drawers and niches, three storage drawers below, brass hardware...
Brass
Antique Campaign Ship Captain's Desk Cabinet or Secretary
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Edwardian Captain's upright secretary crafted in mahogany with inlaid ovals on the cabinet door fronts, brass campaign hardware, tooled leather writing surface, plenty of drawer stor...
Brass
Vintage Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Writing Desk With Glass Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Faux bamboo writing desk in colonial style with leather inset top A British Colonial style writing desk with decorative rattan and bamboo pattern and leather inset on writing surface. Maker's mark to interior of top drawer. This is a beautiful wooden desk with wicker accents and large surface area. The two tier shelves...
Wicker, Rattan, Glass
Vintage Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Faux bamboo writing desk in colonial style with leather inset top A British Colonial style writing desk with decorative rattan and bamboo ...
Rattan, Wicker
Caribbean Colonial Style Slant Front Secretary Desk in Mahogany
Located in Astoria, NY
Caribbean Colonial style mahogany slant front secretary, in the late Classical taste, two columns carved with pineapple and palm leaf mo...
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Military Campaign Desk Correspondence Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Handmade teak wood military correspondence box with multiple sections for organizing paperwork. Original hardware, circa 1910-1920.
Teak
Sold
H 79.5 in W 42.75 in D 19 in
Fabulous Antique British Colonial Butler's Desk 'With Secret Compartments'
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial carved-wood secretary with display top from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. This fabulous antique piece from India is as beautiful as it is functional....
Glass, Wood
19th Century Campaign Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English campaign chest with a fold out secretary, having a flame and cross banded mahogany front, tooled leather writing surface, and letter compartments. The chest is crafted in w...
Secretaire Campaign Chest
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Early 19th century military chest with secretaire drawer. Retaining original handles and also the original leather on the secretaries drawer, a handsome piece.
Teak
China Trade Camphor Wood Campaign Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Chinese export brass mounted camphor wood campaign desk in 2 parts, the upper case with hinged top opening to a tooled leather writing surface be...
Brass