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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.

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Style: British Colonial
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

Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell
Located in Godshill, 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

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

Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
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

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

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This Is a Large Scale Piece
Located in Godshill, 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

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

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

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

Coastal Marine Heavy Brass Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Impressive 46” high polished brass fireplace tools set in a shape of antique sailing ship named Fon Germando.
Category

1940s Dutch Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

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,...
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1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pottery

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Plywood, Paint

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Previously Available Items
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19th Century American Antique British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

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Early 20th Century English British Colonial Building and Garden Elements

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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.

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