Pair of 19th Century British Colonial Child's Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of 19th century British Colonial chairs made for children with cane seats, nicely carved arms and half-moon legs.
Wood, Cane
Pair of Antique Caned British Colonial Planters Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing pair of early 20th century British Colonial plantation chairs handcrafted in indigenous mahogany with elegant form featuring caned backs and seats, pegged construction, bo...
Cane, Mahogany
Pair of British Colonial Style Carved Caned Plantation Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of hand-carved plantation chairs crafted in the British colonial taste.
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Pair of Painted Caned Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Lounge Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tub style lounge chairs in the British Colonial style, each having a white-painted, molded frame of faux bamboo surrounding thye caned back and sides, its bowed crestrail dow...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Pair of British Colonial Style Folding Bamboo Side Chairs
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1873 set of 2 English vintage bamboo side chairs featuring tiger wood design and folding frame for easy storage Features slightly curved slatted backs. seat height 18"
Bamboo
Pair of British Colonial Style Folding Bamboo Side Chairs
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
8-105a set of 2 English vintage bamboo side chairs featuring tiger wood design and folding frame for easy storage Features slightly curved slatted backs.
Bamboo
Pair of deco period British colonial teak club chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of deco period British colonial teak club chairs from the indies.
Teak
Pair of Deco Period British Colonial Hand Caned Teak Club Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of Deco period British colonial hand caned teak wood club chairs.
Teak
$5,800 / set
Pair of British Colonial Teak Caned Bergeres
Located in New York, NY
Each with curved caned back within a molded teak surround; with loose cut velvet seat cushion over a seat rail and turned legs.
Cane, Teak
Park Royal British Colonial Hardwood & Wicker Plantation Folding Deck Chair Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Park Royal British Colonial Hardwood & Wicker Plantation Folding Deck Chair With Detachable Ottomans - a Pair.
Hardwood
$190Sale Price / set|70% Off
Fab Pair Campaign Bamboo Tortoiseshell Folding Chairs
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pair of vintage campaign bamboo with tortoiseshell finials folding chairs.
Bamboo
Great Pair of Vintage Mahogany Planters Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of vintage mahogany planters chairs with canvas.
Canvas, Mahogany
Pair of Vintage Brighton Pavilion Style Rattan and Cane Side Chairs
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Beautiful from every angle with decorative sides and backs, making them ideal as side chairs, game table chairs, vanity chairs, or accent seating in a coastal, British Colonial, or R...
Wicker, Rattan
2000s Old Hickory Tannery Brown Leather Wingback Chairs Cabriole Legs - a Pair
By Old Hickory Tannery
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of Old Hickory Tannery wingback chairs circa-2000s. The set exemplifies timeless craftsmanship with a refined traditional silhouette. Upholstered ...
Leather, Hardwood
$2,322 / set
Pair of 19th Century English Bergeres
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century English Bergeres in carved and turned mahogany wood, stuffed in green velvet with casters. Little defects. Dimensions: 80 x 66 x 54 cm. good condition.
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Side or Office Chairs with Upholstered Seat
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern solid rosewood side or office chairs with a slightly curved back for lumbar support. Slightly tapered leg. The seat can be easily removed if you wanted to ...
Upholstery
Pair of Brighton Pavilion Revival Bamboo, Rattan and Caned Armchairs, Circa 1970
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Brighton Pavilion Revival Bamboo, Rattan and Caned Armchairs, Circa 1970s Inspired by the celebrated Anglo-Chinese interiors of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, these beautif...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Reed, Willow
Hickory Chair James River Plantation Collection Mahogany Chests Side Tables Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of regency style Historic James River Plantation Collection side tables or chests. They were manufactured by Hickory Chair in the 1980s. This particular collection is ...
Brass
1980s Pair of Glossy Tangerine Cast Metal Windsor Windsor Bowback Arm Chairs
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a pair of dark orange cast metal Windsor Chairs, dating to the 1980s. The pair is capable of being used outside as they are composed of cast metal that has been powder-coate...
Metal, Enamel
Pair of Thai Tropical Hardwood Elephant Howdah Saddle Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of elephant saddle style chairs crafted with rosewood in a distinctive Thai form, hand carved depicting elephants, which are a symbol of fortune, in an elaborate floral field, a...
Hardwood
Unavailable
H 36.5 in W 32 in D 29 in
Pair of Elegant Comfortable Fine Leather and Solid Iron Easy Chair
By British Colonial
Located in Houston, TX
This light and airy easy chair is designed with comfort in mind. The soft leather and the general design of this chair makes sitting in a corridor a memorable experience. These chair...
Iron
Old Colonial Dining Chairs, Pair
Located in Lábatlan, HU
Old colonial dining chairs Condition: Good. The frames are in nice original condition. Structurally sound. The upholstery should be cleaned or reupholster. We recommend a good ...
Velvet, Oak
Pair of British Colonial Side Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British Colonial side chairs with cane seat & back.
Cane
British Colonial Plantation Chairs with Sheepskins, Pair
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
This pair of large plantation lounge chairs is so beautiful. A stately presence. The teak and caning is in great shape considering the age. For a more comfortable seat, we added our ...
Sheepskin, Cane, Teak
1980s British Colonial Style Wicker & Caned Chairs by Palecek, Pair
By Palecek Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of double caned and wicker arm chairs with British colonial styling by Palecek.
Wicker
British Colonial Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style dining chairs USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 21.25"W x 24"D x 40.63"H.
Upholstery, Cherry
Pair of British Colonial Teak Wood Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique Anglo-Indian matching armchairs. Crafted in teak wood with pegged construction carved and beaded frames, with caned backs and seats and Classic carved, turned legs.
Cane, Teak
Sold
H 42.25 in W 29 in D 30 in
Ebonized British Colonial Style Lillian August Chairs in Zebra Velvet, Pair
By Lillian August
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These make a strong statement! This is a pair of British Colonial style chairs in a printed zebra velvet.
Brass
Pair of British Colonial Style Teak Cane Plantation Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chairs or campeche chairs hand-crafted from teak. The chairs feature a hand-caned seat and back. The frames are constructed from radia...
Cane, Teak
Pair of Mahogany British Colonial Cane Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These chairs maybe from Jamaica, or the Barbados, either way they are British Colonial Caribbean island fare.
Sold
H 41.75 in W 37 in D 34 in
Baker Furniture British Colonial Bamboo Rattan Wingback Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Ralph Lauren, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of British Colonial or Organic Modern wingback lounge chairs In the manner of Ralph Lauren By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Circa Late 20th Centu...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Pair of British Colonial Style Wicker and Reed Peacock Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual pair of British Colonial peacock chairs crafted in wicker and reed with several weave patterns, a two-tone finish and a unique compact form.
Wicker
Pair of British Colonial Wicker and Bamboo Wing Chairs by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury British colonial wing chairs with a classic form and bold scale crafted in wicker or grasscloth with removable linen cushions and bamboo splayed legs.
Bamboo, Wicker
Sold
H 42 in W 28 in L 42 in
Impressive Pair of British Colonial Classic Wood & Caned Plantation Club Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of teak & caned classic British style plantation chairs having sloped roomy silhouette and customary arms with leg extensions. Body of the chairs are tightly caned ratt...
Cane, Teak
British Colonial Style Pair of Caned Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British colonial style armchairs crafted in mahogany in a pegged construction with a bold classic tropical form having caned backs, sides, and seats and featuring tu...
Cane, Mahogany
A Pair of Rare & Exquisite British Colonial Planter's Chairs
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The estate houses of the sugar and rubber plantations throughout the British Colonial West Indies led to a style all their own. The planter's chair with its low seat, sloping back, a...
Vintage Pair of British Colonial Style Spoon Back Chairs by Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Regency style spoon back chairs crafted in mahogany in an elegant form, having caned backs and seats, leather cushions and saber legs on brass casters. Signed Baker on the bottoms. ...
Brass
British Colonial Pair of Antique Rosewood Tub Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A fine pair of antique late Regency style English rosewood tub chairs that borrow influences from Directoire and Empire. The back and sides are double caned to breathe with maximum d...
Vintage Pair of British Colonial Style Wingback Chairs by Maitland-Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style pair of wingback or porter's chairs handcrafted in hardwood featuring a faux tortoise finish, double caned back and sides, reed wrapped joints and scrolled feet.
Cane, Reed
Sold
H 33 in W 21 in D 25.5 in
Fine Pair of 19th Century British Colonial Mahogany Barrel Back Cane Chairs
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
These chairs feature arm rests and back rails designed as continuous elegant curves joining the sabre style front legs by a brass ball. Back, sides and seat are mounted with woven ca...
Brass
Fantastic Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Club Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic pair of British Colonial deco period club chairs.
Teak
Pair of British Colonial Style Wingback Armchairs by Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British Colonial style wingback armchairs crafted with woven reed, in a herringbone pattern over classic form with bamboo legs and stretchers. Signed Milling Road fo...
Bamboo, Wicker, Reed
British Bobbin Turned Corner Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Antique British bobbin turned corner chairs, pair, stained elm wood with rush seats, circa 1900, in the manner of William Morris (English, 1834-1896) and the "English Revival" moveme...
Rush, Elm
Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Caned Porters Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of vintage porters chairs crafted in faux bamboo wood frames having a faux tortoise finish with reed wrapped joints, double caned hoods, sides and backs, upholstered ...
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Pair of 1930s Rosewood Deck or Side Chairs, British
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of folding rosewood steamer chairs from the 1930s. Used by passengers on the deck during sea voyages. British. Refinished slatted rosewood and slightly reclined back for comfort...
Rosewood
Sold
H 35.83 in W 33.08 in D 37.8 in
Pair of Large Early 20th Century Teak & Cane Colonial Plantation Chairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Handsome Matched Pair of Original Anglo-Indian Teak and Cane Plantation Chairs, circa 1910–1920. Crafted in solid teak with finely woven cane, these generous colonial lounge cha...
Cane, Teak
Sold
H 43 in W 32 in D 32.5 in
Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC Measures -...
Upholstery
Pair of British Colonial Library Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique Victorian British Colonial armchairs crafted in oak with a dark lush finish and designed for comfort featuring hand carved frames with scrolled arms supported by turn...
Oak
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.