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British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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 Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box
19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box

19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box

Located in Pearland, TX

A fine antique 19th-Century British Colonial porcupine quill and ebony box, made in Ceylon the colonial name for Sri Lanka. This fine hand crafted box has a sliding lid and is decora...

Category

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Ebony

Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott
Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott

Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott

Located in Centennial, CO

A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...

Category

Early 20th Century British British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique English Sterling Silver Gift Box Commissioned by Kehdive Abbas Hilmi II
Antique English Sterling Silver Gift Box Commissioned by Kehdive Abbas Hilmi II

Antique English Sterling Silver Gift Box Commissioned by Kehdive Abbas Hilmi II

By George Unite & Sons

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique Engish presentation silver box. In sterling silver with a gilt interior by George Unite & Sons of Chester in 1899. Commissioned as a gift by Abbas Hilmi II, the last...

Category

1890s British Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box
Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box

Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box

Located in Austin, TX

Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small...

Category

Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Vintage Campaign Wood Box With Brass Detail
Vintage Campaign Wood Box With Brass Detail

Vintage Campaign Wood Box With Brass Detail

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exceptional antique campaign box is a masterclass in colonial-era utility and refined British craftsmanship. Traditionally designed for milit...

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Red Painted Wooden Store Tea Coffee Bin w/ Asian Symbol
Antique British Colonial Red Painted Wooden Store Tea Coffee Bin w/ Asian Symbol

Antique British Colonial Red Painted Wooden Store Tea Coffee Bin w/ Asian Symbol

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique British Colonial Red Painted Wooden Store Tea Coffee Bin w/ Painted Asian Sym...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith Zebra Hide Decorative Box, Leather, 1980s, Philippines
Maitland Smith Zebra Hide Decorative Box, Leather, 1980s, Philippines

Maitland Smith Zebra Hide Decorative Box, Leather, 1980s, Philippines

By Maitland Smith

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Large Post Modern 1980s Maitland Smith decorative box made of a square wood bottom covered in brown leather and top lid covered with zebra hide with a round polished brass and hyde p...

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Zebra Hide

A 19th Century Brass Bound Teak 'Mandalay' Campaign Dressing Box, Circa 1860
A 19th Century Brass Bound Teak 'Mandalay' Campaign Dressing Box, Circa 1860

A 19th Century Brass Bound Teak 'Mandalay' Campaign Dressing Box, Circa 1860

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

These boxes were made for British military officers who were posted in Burma (now Myanmar) & India during the days of British rule. The brass & copper bound teak case is pr...

Category

Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron

Exquisite Petite Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Keepsake Box Circa 1920's
Exquisite Petite Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Keepsake Box Circa 1920's

Exquisite Petite Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Keepsake Box Circa 1920's

By SILVA (Sri Lanka)

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Petite and charming Ceylonese rectangular porcupine quill box with ebonised casing and inlaid bone decoration. The sliding lid reveals a plain cedar wood interior. Superb variation o...

Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Striking Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Desk Study Box Circa 1920's
Striking Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Desk Study Box Circa 1920's

Striking Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Desk Study Box Circa 1920's

By SILVA (Sri Lanka)

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Eyecatching Ceylonese rectangular porcupine quill box with decoration of ebonised casing and striking porcupine quills and infills of white and black bone 'dots' Sliding lid reveals...

Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot
Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot

Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot

By SILVA (Sri Lanka)

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Superb Ceylonese porcupine quill lidded pot in a most unusual conical shape Fashioned in dark wood and decorated with quill pieces All quills are present and in excellent order. Int...

Category

1950s Sri Lankan Vintage British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box

Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philan...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver

19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray

19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray

Located in Dallas, TX

Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece. Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods. This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony. The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining. This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!! We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction. ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:- (1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...

Category

Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ebony, Wood

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Located in Atlanta, GA

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H 3.55 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

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The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Dandy Box is a chic accent piece for your home. The piece is lined with a removable velvet tray...

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Antique English Art Deco Sterling Silver Box
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Located in New York, NY

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1930s English Vintage British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Sterling Silver

19th Century English Dresser Box
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$1,495

H 5.5 in W 12.25 in D 8.75 in

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Located in High Point, NC

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An Anglo Indian Rectangular Porcupine Quill & Bone Box, 20th Century
An Anglo Indian Rectangular Porcupine Quill & Bone Box, 20th Century

An Anglo Indian Rectangular Porcupine Quill & Bone Box, 20th Century

Located in ARMADALE, VIC

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Other

Post-Modern Lidded Marble Trinket Box
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$225

H 2 in W 5 in D 3.25 in

Post-Modern Lidded Marble Trinket Box

Located in San Diego, CA

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$175

H 2 in W 8.5 in D 4 in

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Located in San Diego, CA

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Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Previously Available Items
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentines Box, 1900, Good Condition
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentines Box, 1900, Good Condition

Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentines Box, 1900, Good Condition

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Antique original British Colonial sea Shell encrusted small box Sailors Valentines.

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Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Shell

Vintage Coastal Burnt Bamboo and Cane Mini Chest of Drawers
Vintage Coastal Burnt Bamboo and Cane Mini Chest of Drawers

Vintage Coastal Burnt Bamboo and Cane Mini Chest of Drawers

Located in Delray Beach, FL

A small chest of drawers made from bamboo and cane wrapping. Would make a great addition to the top of any credenza, dresser or mantle. Piece has been deep cleaned, some repairs, a...

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Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Bamboo, Cane

Antique Anglo Indian Tortoise Shell and Bone Box
Antique Anglo Indian Tortoise Shell and Bone Box

Antique Anglo Indian Tortoise Shell and Bone Box

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Enchanting antique Anglo Indian lidded box, handcrafted in mahogany and clad in tortoise shell. Ambitiously decorated with applied floral bone designs including a center medallion of...

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20th Century Indian British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Tortoise Shell, Felt, Mahogany

Vintage Moroccan Yellow Ceramic Jar with Silver Filigree Overlay
Vintage Moroccan Yellow Ceramic Jar with Silver Filigree Overlay

Vintage Moroccan Yellow Ceramic Jar with Silver Filigree Overlay

By Berber Tribes of Morocco

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful vintage Moroccan yellow ceramic jar. This beautiful piece catapults to sculpture with the beautiful detail of silver filigree overlay. The lidded jar achieves a mischievo...

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Metal

Chateau Edgewater Inc Faux Bamboo & Alligator Domed Keepsake Trinket Vanity Box
Chateau Edgewater Inc Faux Bamboo & Alligator Domed Keepsake Trinket Vanity Box

Chateau Edgewater Inc Faux Bamboo & Alligator Domed Keepsake Trinket Vanity Box

Located in Dayton, OH

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Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan

Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped. Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan. Southern Heirlooms Eliza...

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Porcelain

Satinwood and Rosewood Book Box with Hidden Compartments
Satinwood and Rosewood Book Box with Hidden Compartments

Satinwood and Rosewood Book Box with Hidden Compartments

Located in Nantucket, MA

An early 1900s rosewood and satinwood book box with lock and key and intricate interior compartments. The interior tray lifts out for space underneath, ...

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Early 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Rosewood, Satinwood

Faux Zebra Painted Wood Box w/ Brass Table Stand, 1970's
Faux Zebra Painted Wood Box w/ Brass Table Stand, 1970's

Faux Zebra Painted Wood Box w/ Brass Table Stand, 1970's

By Maitland Smith

Located in Rochester, NY

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Brass

Early 19th-Century, George III Inlaid Tea Caddy
Early 19th-Century, George III Inlaid Tea Caddy

Early 19th-Century, George III Inlaid Tea Caddy

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Exquisite George III inlaid tea caddy from the early 19th century. Remarkable design with a distinct starburst escutcheon, evoking timeless charm. Measurements: 13" L X 7" W X X 8" H

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Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Wood, Velvet

19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box
19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box

19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony & Porcupine Quill Box

Located in Pearland, TX

A fine antique 19th century British Colonial handcrafted porcupine quill and ebony box, made in Matara, Ceylon the colonial name for Sri Lanka. This fine box has a decorative raised ...

Category

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Ebony

Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century
Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century

Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century

Sold

H 9.45 in W 16.54 in D 9.06 in

Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

Amazing British Colonial Large Box end 19th Century Wood with bone inlays. Rectangular body on round feet, hinged lid with hinges, inside with 4 inlays. Decorated with leg decorat...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood

British Colonial decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, England, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include and SILVA (Sri Lanka). 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $149 and tops out at $2,800 while the average work can sell for $585.