Skip to main content

British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

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.

to
3
18
6
24
1
Height
to
Width
to
2,931
2,174
1,489
1,332
957
827
797
786
505
495
466
312
300
249
146
139
124
99
3
10
11
1
5
4
1
1
15
9
8
7
4
13
11
10
6
3
25
25
25
1
Style: British Colonial
Large White Table Coral Sculpture on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive white coral assemblage using an exceptionally large table coral specimen with its sea inspired color and textures. Presented on a lucite base to enhance the sculptural ele...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Solomon Islands British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Coral

Antique English Brass Planter Lion Heads Flowerpot Pub Scenes c.1930
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT Antique English Brass Planter Flower Pot Jardiniere with Lions Heads and Pub Scene~~c. 1930 Beautiful decorative brass planter~~excell...
Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heavy bronze bell, tower bell. This is a very heavy piece it is on an Oak Yoke with iron fixings including a the bracket which holds the rope For the purpose of the pictures and...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Antique British Colonial 1830s Caned Oak Reclining Mechanical Dental Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Englishman James Snell of London made the first mechanical dental chair with an adjustable seat and back for doctors to examine their patients more efficiently. This exquisite exampl...
Category

1830s Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cane, Oak

Rustic Antique Indian Architectural M-o-p Inlaid Teak Window
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful antique Indian architectural m-o-p inlaid carved teak window. India, late 19th / early 20th century, primitive hand-crafted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Indoor or outdoor British Colonial teak plantation or planters chair with cane seat and back. Wonderful weathered wood patina.
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

Scarce Anglo Indian British Colonial Brass Mounted Wooden Log Pail Bucket
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most charming antique Anglo Indian British Colonial brass bound hand turned hollowed log bucket. Early 19th century, India, handmade during the British rule on the Indian...
Category

Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

British Colonial Planter
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Vintage British Colonial style burnt bamboo planter. Made well and kept in great condition. Bamboo panels have been hand bu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bamboo

18th Century Pair of Orange Tall Indian Teak Wood Pillars
Located in San Marino, CA
These pair of orange painted tall Indian teak wood pillars are topped with classical acanthus leaf capitals and come in three parts.
Category

18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This Is a Large Scale Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
British royal coat of arms wall plaque This is a large scale piece, it dates from the 1950s and is made in plaster and it is painted in very brig...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Plaster

18th Century pair of Indian Wood pillars
Located in PAU, FR
Wonderful pair of Indian columns from the XVIIIth century, the wood have a really nice patina, the tops are well sculpted. We could see the influence of the british colonial.
Category

18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century English Coal Hod or Scuttle
Located in Louisville, KY
This stunning piece of English 19th century history has come so far from being a well designed utilitarian piece within English homes to a gorgeous decorator piece that is not only b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in the garden, on a porch or patio. The rustic antique teakwood bench...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

Facing Pair of Early to Mid-20th Century Regal, Majolica Lion Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of very regal seated Majolica lions, a white glaze over a terracotta base, great condition, with some of the terracotta showing through the glaze,...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pottery

British Colonial Decorative Carved Wood Column on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, whic...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

British Colonial Wood Column on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom Stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, ...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Coromandel Lacquer Cabinet On A Giltwood Console, England, early 18th century fl
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Coromandel Lacquer Cabinet On A Giltwood Console, England, early 18th century flag
Category

18th Century French Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

British Colonial Carved Teak Column with Granite Base
Located in Somis, CA
This extraordinary 88" tall column has its original granite base, is made out of solid teak wood featuring an elaborately carved crown. The crown is carved on all four sides with eac...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Granite

1940s Wood Himachal Pot
Located in Roma, IT
1920s Wood Himachal Pot This seemingly simple wooden vase is a design object of infinite beauty and elegance that can be placed in either an antique or a modern or contemporary set...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

British Colonial Solid Teak Plantation Shutters with Panel Work Dovetailed
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Colonial solid teak plantation shutters uncompromisingly made. 1.25" thick teak from old grown timber. Varnished. Customize and introduce y...
Category

Early 1900s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

Brass Door Handle
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of very decorative brass door or cabinet handles with carved details. Ready to mount.
Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

French Cast Iron Firedog Andirons of Soldiers Val D´Osne, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of 19th century French firedogs or andirons in cast iron stamped Val d´Osne. The andirons appear in their unbeatable old patina making the "Zoauve" soldier and the "Grenadier" soldier formed figures fabulously attractive. The foundry of Val d´Osne grounded in 1836 by Jean-Pierre-Victor André, is the maker of the Crystal Palace in London, build for the 1851 Great Exhibition...
Category

19th Century French Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

American Country Black Tole Coal Scuttle
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) black tole coal scuttle with painted roses and side handles.
Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Paint

Large Hammered Copper and Steel English Bucket
Located in Bellport, NY
Hammered copper English bucket with steel handle, good for logs, magazines or plants. The shape narrows nicely at the base.
Category

20th Century British British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel, Copper

Related Items
Massive Swiss Concrete Ball Planter, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina the planter. Great for indoors or outside. Only one in primary image available. Oth...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Concrete

1940s Mexican Rustic Ranch Mesquite Window Jalisco Hacienda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mexican Rustic Ranch Mesquite Medium Window Jalisco Hacienda 1940s 39.5 tall x 26.75w x 4d / Inside 34 x 12.75 inches In unrestored original vintage rustic condition. Review the images.
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Bronze Door Handle and Bell Push with Brutalist Design 20th Century, European
Located in London, GB
A rectangular bronze push or pull door handle, with Brutalist geometric design, together with matching bell push, mid-late 20th century, European. This is a heavy handle, made of ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century European British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Stained Glass Window
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Stained Glass Window Create a floral atmosphere in your bathroom with the soft rosey light of this stained glass window. The pane depicts a l...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood, Paint

Antique Stained Glass Window
Antique Stained Glass Window
H 24 in W 22 in D 2 in
Antique Triangular Arts & Crafts Architectural Stained Glass Window C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Triangular Arts & Crafts Architectural Stained Glass Window C1920 Measures- 25"H x 49"W x 1...
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stained Glass

Vintage Anglo Indian Peacock or Cobra Recamier Lounge Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual Anglo Indian recamier lounge handcrafted in wicker and rattan with a peacock or cobra back and leg rest extension featuring plenty of exotic come hither appeal.
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wicker

An Antique Hand Woven Natural Finish Bar Harbor Style Arm Chair With Blue Trim
Located in Nashua, NH
A beautiful small scale Bar Harbor style wicker arm chair in a natural finish with blue accent trim. This is a very comfortable and sturdy all woven arm chair...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Upholstery, Wicker, Reed, Wood

Antique Victorian Leaded Stained Glass Neoclassical Architectural Window 47"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive antique Victorian Neoclassical style leaded stained glass window. Features beautiful ribboned and scrolled motif with leaded, slag, swirl and pebble glass. Features c...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stained Glass, Hardwood

Large Sculptural Studio Ceramic Planter by Mobach 1970's
Located in London, GB
Large hand turned 1960's studio ceramic plant pot with over sized handles is created on the turning wheel by highly technical skilled Dutch ceramist ...
Category

1960s European Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century French Garden Chaise
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare 19th century iron French garden chaise. A delightful piece made of hand-forged iron -now patinated with rust with natural colored antique linen.  
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Garden Chaise
19th Century French Garden Chaise
H 30.5 in W 20.5 in D 35 in
2-Strand Pretzel Shape Arm Rattan Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The 2 strand wicker/rattan club chair has rounded arm that comes with green and white wide striped canvas seat and back cushions. The side has pretzel shape x design. This lounge chair offers style and comfort for any porch or patio. The seat cushion has a wood frame at the bottom and metal support and springs, the way they used to make outdoor seat cushions...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Rattan

Italian Black & Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late-20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height. Larger Italian cachepot...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
Small 1970s Bamboo Plant Stand
Located in Cordova, SC
Small vintage 1970s bamboo plant stand in very good condition. Perfect perch for a smaller plant. Would look good in an array homes from boho chic to modern to traditional to many ot...
Category

1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bamboo

Small 1970s Bamboo Plant Stand
Small 1970s Bamboo Plant Stand
H 13 in W 8 in D 8 in
Antique English Brass Planter Rams Heads Hoof Feet Flower Pot Hand Seamed C.1900
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT Antique English Brass Planter Flower Pot Jardiniere with Rams' Heads and Hooved Feet~~c. 1900 Beautiful decorative brass planter~~ex...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Folding and Adjustable Teak and Mesh Seat Patio or Side Chair
Located in Nantucket, MA
A folding and adjustable teak patio or side chair with an open mesh seat. Easy to add a seat cushion if so desired, originally designed for tropical climates...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

McGuire Faux Bamboo Teak Wood Garden Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage outdoor round teak wood garden, porch or patio dining table made by McGuire. The table has faux bamboo style legs giving extra elegance and style. Pair the table with the 4 ...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

21st Century Limestone Fireplace Mantlepiece
Located in London, GB
21st century limestone fireplace mantlepiece. Hand Carved Double Scrolled Jambs With Tripple Stepped Footblocks And Break Fronted Shelf. Made From Solid White Limestone. Recently S...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone, Limestone

Cast Iron Fire Back, by the Kingsworthy Foundry
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron Fire Back, by the Kingsworthy Foundry The Fire back is extremely Heavy, it denotes the Lion, an English Rose and a Scottish thistle w...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Vintage Carved Teak Wood Outdoor Garden Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style and comfort to your outdoor seating with this beautifully carved settee or sofa bench with cabriole legs. Labeled Kinsley Bates on right side of seat.
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Teak

British Colonial Style Terra Cotta Elephant Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century Italian elephant stand crafted in terra cotta and decorated in traditional mediterranean colors.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Large Sculptures of English Stone Heraldic Lions
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Large Sculptures of English Stone Heraldic Lions These are weathered Statues of Male Lions they sit proud with raised paws resting on a her...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cast Stone

Vintage Cast Iron Figural Colonial Man Fireplace Poker Tool Set & Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage cast iron hearthware fire tool set featuring a colonial / Renaissance dressed man. Poker, tongs, brush and stand. Measure: 23".  
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique English Planter Basket Hammered Copper w Brass Handle Coal Hod Hearth
Located in Tyler, TX
Charming antique English hammered copper basket or planter with brass handle~~c. 1900 Popular decorative accent for a fireplace, hearth or kitchen in today's French Country, Englis...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper

Mid-Century Italian Glazed Terra Cotta Elephant Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid-century terracotta elephant stand decorated, glazed, and ready for service.
Category

20th Century Italian British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

British Colonial building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Asia, South Asia, and India pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include and Val D'Osne Foundry. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $399 and tops out at $15,500 while the average work can sell for $2,200.

Recently Viewed

View All