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British Colonial Furniture

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
Antique Early 20th Century Brtisih Colonial Oak Plantation Lounge Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing early 20th century British Colonial style plantation chair. Features an oak frame with traditional lounging back, downswept scrolled arms over reeded baluster supports co...
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base. Dimensions: 17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

British Colonial Style Cherry and Caned Three Tier Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A British Colonial Style Cherry and Caned shelves Three Tier Side Table. Newer caning. Measures 20.5" w x 20.5"D x 28"H.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cane, Cherry

Finely Carved British Colonial 19th Century Round Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful finely carved British Colonial wooden circular side table with a pedestal leg.
Category

1890s English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Godinger Silver Plate Scalloped Lidded Trinket Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely etched and scalloped silver plate trinket box - with a removable lid and lined in red velvet. The lid has an acorn finial. A compli...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century British Colonial Tea Plantation Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890 Rare Teak and leather lounge chair that was formerly used in a Tea Estate in India. Hand made with pull out leaves that transform into leg rests and can be tucked back ...
Category

1890s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Antique Foyer Hall Table British Colonial Carved Wood Leather Flip Top Burmese
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique Foyer Hall Table British Colonial Carved Wood Leather Flip Top Burmese. Direct from Europe, a stunning antique hall table, with superb...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Antique British Colonial Corner Shelf Cabinet With Tiles
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique circa 1930 English Colonial (Indian) teak corner shelf cabinet. The center top portion has mirror while painted glass tile of flower baskets flank the mirrored por...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Glass, Mirror, Teak

Late 20th Century British Colonial Rattan and Black Lacquered Chest by Milling R
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A refined example of British Colonial style, this late 20th century chest by Milling Road for Baker Furniture features a refinished rattan-wrapped drawer front design with a rich hon...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Finely Carved British Colonial 19th Century Round Tiltable Table
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful finely carved British Colonial wooden circular side table from India or Ceylon. The circular top with a broad shallow relief detailed border depicting a lion and serpent ...
Category

1890s English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English Regency style etagère, bookcase, wall unit, or room divider By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous carved rosewood, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Category

1960s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

British Colonial Style Burnt Tortoise Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegant splay...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Queen Bed Frame
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage British colonial style bed frame in bamboo and rattan.Great geometric pattern and two tone design. Space between side rails and headboard/ footboard is 62.5" x 81.5" Would ...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Cane

Vintage Tooled Leather Traditional Carved Campaign Style Office Writing Desk 62"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century campaign style desk. Features a rectangular form with brown tooled leather top and two drawers in the frieze. Each drawer has brass lion knocker pulls. The desk is ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Rattan Diminutive Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo and Rattan Diminutive Chest  Europe, Later 20th Century  A stunning British Colonial-style diminutive chest of drawers, wrapped in rattan...
Category

Late 20th Century European British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Willow

Small Brighton Pavillion White Wrought Iron Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Miniature Brighton Pavillion style settee. This piece is finished in gloss white with a Ralph Lauren upholstered seat cushion in a chinoise...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Early 19th Century Masonic Lodge Ceremonial Throne Chair with Magic Symbols
Located in London, GB
Antique Masonic Chair, Throne Chair, Gothic Chair, Occult Chair, Religious Antique Chair, Masonic Antique. Early 19th Century Masonic Lodge Ceremonial T...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

19th Century English Campaign Marine Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
Located in NICE, FR
This stunning mahogany chest of drawers model was originally used by the British navy. It features charming typical campaign handles as well two carrying handles on both its sides. ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Executive Rosewood Desk by Kittinger, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
Add timeless elegance to your office with this executive rosewood desk by Kittinger from the 1950s. Fully restored to its original beauty, it features six drawers and bookshelving on...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Pagoda British Colonial Style Bamboo and Cane Magazine Racks- a Pair
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful large scale pair of magazine racks with materials reminiscent of British Colonial influence and a Pagoda like design. Uniquely designed with a lower shelf and two compart...
Category

1990s Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Cane Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Caned Armchair Made entirely out of satinwood. Gentle curved back. Hand caning seat - still in good condition. Spiral arms are a un...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

Set of Four Burnt Bamboo Tortoise Folding Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very good set of four British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Tortoise folding chairs. Well constructed and sturdy. An additional set of four is also available for purchase.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Early 20th Century Colonial Sri Lankan Satinwood Garden Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Hand-turned garden chair made of solid satinwood, Colonial, Sri Lanka, circa 1900. Hand-caned seat and back. Came from a British Military family in Sri Lanka. 40.25" overall height ...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Satinwood

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

Early 2000s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wood, Driftwood

Maitland Smith Painted Monkey Landscape Crackled Coromandel Wall Panel 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
Hand painted Maitland Smith Coromandel wall panel. Features a crackled landscape with monkeys holding peaches in a tropical setting amongst bird...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Jamaican Cuban Mahogany Upholstered Sofa with Acanthus & Lion Paw Feet. C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Jamaican Cuban mahogany sofa with flanking scrolled arms, reeded skirt, centered rosette, and terminating on acanthus carved lions paw feet. Sofa has be...
Category

1820s Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Muslin, Mahogany

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Serving Bar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century serving bar handcrafted with a mahogany top over a bamboo and bent bamboo frame having grasscloth woven in a herringbone pattern on the sides and front. The back...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

Leather Giraffe Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautifully hand crafted leather giraffe sculpture. Excellent decorative addition for any home. Expertly crafted. 19.5” tall 11” deep 4.5” wide Would fit in traditional, British c...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage John Derian Large Square Porcelain Lidded Jar with Birds and Foliage
Located in Doylestown, PA
Oversized, square porcelain hand-painted lidded jar in the shape of a tea caddy by John Derian with birds after the 18th century biological illustrations of naturalist George Edwards...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Colonial Style Twin Bed Frame
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Colonial style twin bed frame made of maple. Turned baluster bed posts are topped with cannon ball finials, and support slightly scrolled head and foot ...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Maple

Beautiful Persian Floral Pattern Fine Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality Northwest Persian rug with a floral all-over design set on a tomato red field, accents in hot pink, gray and apricot, and a light blue border Measures: 10'1” x 13'5”.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

Mid-Century Modern Italian Globe for Bar Desk Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Tabletop Vintage Wooden Spinning Globe, Marked "Made in Italy" Charming hand-crafted Mid-Century Modern spinning tabletop globe featuring an antique design sepia brown world m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of British Colonial Style Plantation Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chairs with matching ottomans made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs feature a gracefully carved teak frame with large s...
Category

20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

Pair of Thai Rosewood 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, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

5 Antique Cecil Aldin 1st Ed Chromolithograph Hunting Prints Fallowfield Hunt
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful collection of 1901 chromolithographic prints from the work of equestrian and sporting artist Cecil Aldin (1870-1935). Includes 3 scenes from the The Fallowfield Hunt Re...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

British Colonial Antique 1910 Cheltenham Silver Coffee Service Sheffield England
Located in Miami, FL
1910 English silver coffee service by Cheltenham & Company, Ltd. Sheffield, England. All 4 pieces have the same maker's marks on the bottoms complete with the engraved unicorn design...
Category

1910s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Silver

Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century British colonial style table or stand crafted in turned wood in a faux bamboo technique with two tiers covered in grasscloth.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo

Monumental 19th C., "The March of the Guards to Finchley" After William Hogarth
Located in Atlanta, GA
After William Hogarth (English, 1697-1764), originally done circa 1750 - this is likely done in the mid 1800's. "The March of the Guards to Finchley, also known as The March to Finc...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood, Paint

2 Maitland Smith Hand Painted Monkey Landscape Crackled Coromandel Wall Panel
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of hand painted Maitland Smith wall panels. Features a crackled landscape with monkeys holding peaches in a tropical setting amongst birds. Each...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

English Tortoise Burnt Bamboo Stool or Low Side Table, circa 1960’s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1960’s Tortoise Burnt Bamboo Stool Side Table, England. Elegant and sturdy stool with both form and function. Versatile piece that looks wonderful ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Hartville, OH
Gorgeous Vintage Chesterfield Sofa with Deep Button Tufts, Rolled arms and Brass Casters. Finished in a Cognac leather. Unsigned, believed to be Ralph Lauren.
Category

1990s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

British Colonial Style Three Tiered Caned Stand or Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout English stand crafted in mahogany having one drawer over two caned lower tiers with turned and twisted supports over classic turned feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Bamboo Rattan and Cane Lounge Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Organic Modern lounge chair By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection" Circa Late 20th Century Rattan frame in bamboo form, with cane seat and bac...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Cane

Vintage Tufted Leather Reclining Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style chaise lounge with tufted leather upholstery featuring an adjustable reclining back, brass tacks and turned legs with brass casters. H: 35 W: 70 D: 2...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs. These are a pair of British Colonial Ceylonese satinwood and cane chairs. Made in the Late 19th in Ceylon (now Sri La...
Category

Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Satinwood

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 featuri...
Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Antique English Axminster Rug. 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Antique English Axminster Rug, Country of Origin: England, Circa date: 1900. Size: 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in (4.52 m x 6.17 m)
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

English Country Brown Leather Horse Saddle
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style brown and black leather riding saddle with a sheepskin blanket.
Category

20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

English Victorian Style Mirrored Washstand with Decorated Basin and Pitcher
Located in Germantown, MD
A midcentury English decorated porcelain basin and pitcher on mirrored oak washstand with candle sconces in very good condition. . Measures 22" in width, 18" in depth and stands 52.5...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Oak, Porcelain

Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Barley Twist Dumbwaiter Drop Leaf Table
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Barley Twist Dumbwaiter Drop Leaf Table. Direct from England, a beautiful antique English oak tea trolley or “dumbwaiter” serving cart. Excel...
Category

1930s British Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Oak

Castilian Ornamental Porcelain & Brass Elephant Horn Drinking Hunt Vase 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornamental hunt theme drinking horn / centerpiece trophy / cornucopia epergne / flower vase featuring a tapered pedestal base with brass capped feet and circus Elephant balancing a porcelain horn or tusk. Stamped on base, Item No. 4052-C4A. Castilian Imports...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

1930s Large Scale Carved Oak Arm Chair In Chinoiserie Palm Toile
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a charming carved oak arm chair with an English British Colonial toile. The frame is most likely American and dates to the early part of the 20th century. The fabric shows so...
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

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. The chairs feature large frames decorated with reeded, scrolled seats having delicate acanthus de...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Wood

Maitland-Smith Vintage Two Door Faux Bamboo and Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century British colonial style handcrafted cabinet featuring a faux burnt bamboo frame with a bow front form, jungle camouflage lacquer panels, stick and fist hardware a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Vintage 80s McGuire Antalya Directors Style Dining or Occasional Chairs Rawhide
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Classic 1980s directors style McGuire dining or occasional armchairs with lattice style rawhide seats and backs. These rattan framed chairs with backrest and seat woven in ra...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hide, Rattan

Elegant Terracotta Antique Mohajeran Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning early 20th century Persian Sarouk Mohajeran Rug with a terracotta field, accents in robin egg blue, green, the border is navy. circa 1910. Measures: 3'5" x 4'7" Before...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

Campeche Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair and ottoman, made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs features large scrolled arms with caned seat and ottoman. The chairs have a des...
Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

English Victorian Greyhound Dog Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian style gilt framed oil painting of brown and white greyhound dog.
Category

20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paint

British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's, and Ralph Lauren. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $3,161.

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