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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
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

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

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

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

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.

Category

Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Shell

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

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 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

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

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

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

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

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

Late 20th Century Square Pewter Lidded Box with Christian motif
Late 20th Century Square Pewter Lidded Box with Christian motif

Late 20th Century Square Pewter Lidded Box with Christian motif

By John Somers

Located in Raleigh, US

John Somers – World-Renowned Manufacturer of Fine Pewter Special Offering: Ornamental Square Box Crafted by the esteemed pewter artisan John Somers, celebrated globally for exceptio...

Category

Late 20th Century Brazilian British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pewter

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

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

Related Items
Antique Anglo Indian Quill and Bone Box
Antique Anglo Indian Quill and Bone Box

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Located in Palm Beach, FL

Exceptional antique Anglo Indian sewing box handcrafted with quills and decorated bone with a brass handle, lion heads and paw feet. The interior has pin cushions and compartments wi...

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Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

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Brass

Antique Bulldog Head Wooden Box, England, 1900
Antique Bulldog Head Wooden Box, England, 1900

Antique Bulldog Head Wooden Box, England, 1900

$2,382Sale Price|20% Off

H 6.11 in W 3.94 in D 5.91 in

Antique Bulldog Head Wooden Box, England, 1900

Located in Milan, IT

Antique bulldog head wooden box, England, 1900.

Category

Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Glass, Wood

Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century
Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century

Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

"Pair of Lacquered wood boxes, China, 20th century" 6 cups each inside, perfect condition. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.

Category

20th Century Chinese British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Planner Group Jewelry Chest of Ten Drawers
Paul McCobb Planner Group Jewelry Chest of Ten Drawers

Paul McCobb Planner Group Jewelry Chest of Ten Drawers

By Paul McCobb

Located in Chicago, IL

Paul McCobb jewelry chest of ten drawers Best to refinish this item. Finish shows wear as does the interiors of the drawers.

Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Porcupine Quill Box. Sri Lanka, 19th Century
Antique Porcupine Quill Box. Sri Lanka, 19th Century

Antique Porcupine Quill Box. Sri Lanka, 19th Century

Located in St Annes, Lancashire

Lovely quill box Ebony and porcupine quill Good condition Free UK shipping. PLEASE NOTE only available in the UK . Because of the ivory content the item needs a Cites certificate...

Category

1880s Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box
Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box

Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box

$900

H 2 in W 4 in D 2.75 in

Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box

By Limoges

Located in Asheville, NC

Beautiful porcelain Limoges box hand-painted rose flowerettes adorned with painted gold designs and gold hardware.

Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover
Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover

$450 / item

H 5.75 in W 6 in D 6 in

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover

Located in Sheffield, MA

Add style and the finishing touch to your countertop or nightstand with this antiqued gold toned top and grey ribbed metal body tissue box cover to pr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box
Antique Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box

Antique Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box

$496

H 1.86 in W 6.23 in D 4.1 in

Antique Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box

Located in London, GB

A small Sinhalese Porcupine Quill Box with a sliding lid. The panels of porcupine quill panels arranged in a chevron pattern, bordered with ebony and bone inlaid banding. Ceylonese ...

Category

Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ebony

Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart
Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart

Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A superb Folk Art sailors valentine Tramp Art keepsake box. Wide in form, this beautiful Primitive wood carved box features the letters S and M with a heart between on both sides. Tw...

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

mid 20th Japanese vintage small Tansu, wabi sabi box chest of drawers japandi
mid 20th Japanese vintage small Tansu, wabi sabi box chest of drawers japandi

mid 20th Japanese vintage small Tansu, wabi sabi box chest of drawers japandi

$290Sale Price|42% Off

H 17.88 in W 11.34 in D 13.12 in

mid 20th Japanese vintage small Tansu, wabi sabi box chest of drawers japandi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

wooden small tansu (chest of drawers) with 5 drawers, made of Tamo (Japanese Ash). This piece is one of the "Ashed" line furnitures of my shop items - bleached with lye made from th...

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Mid-20th Century Japanese British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Ash, Hardwood

Previously Available Items
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...

Category

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...

Category

1970s Moroccan Vintage British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

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

Chateau Edgewater Inc keepsake box. Features a domed exterior with faux alligator / bamboo form. Includes brass hardware with a silk line interior. DIMENSIONS 19" x 11" x 11.25"h

Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Alligator

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, ...

Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

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

Faux zebra painted lidded wood box with a beautifully designed brass handle. Box sets into the original fitted brass table stand. Box on stand measures 19" h x 21" w x 13" d / box a...

Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

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

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

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...

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Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood

Theodore Alexander Walnut Olive Burl Parquetry Trinket Jewelry Keepsake Box
Theodore Alexander Walnut Olive Burl Parquetry Trinket Jewelry Keepsake Box

Theodore Alexander Walnut Olive Burl Parquetry Trinket Jewelry Keepsake Box

By Theodore Alexander

Located in Dayton, OH

Elegant lidded trinket box casket by Theodore Alexander handcrafted with a parquetry or marquetry design, footed bun feet and brass handles. Made of walnut with olive burl matchbook ...

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Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Olive, Walnut, Burl

Zebra Painted Box on Stand
Zebra Painted Box on Stand

Zebra Painted Box on Stand

Sold

H 19.5 in W 21 in D 12 in

Zebra Painted Box on Stand

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Midcentury lidded wood box decorated in faux zebra paint with a decorative handle and set on a burnished brass stand.

Category

20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Anglo Indian Stationery Campaign Chest, Outstanding
19th Century Anglo Indian Stationery Campaign Chest, Outstanding

19th Century Anglo Indian Stationery Campaign Chest, Outstanding

Located in Dallas, TX

Presenting an absolutely stunning and extremely rare 19th century Anglo-Indian Stationery Campaign chest/box. Gorgeous and extremely rare and unique 19th century piece, made in 1897. Large in size. Everything about this chest 'oozes' quality, from the locks, to the inlay, to the interior and to the marquetry detail! Made primarily of teak, it is beautifully inlaid with brass (in the Boulle style), bone and ebony on top. Brass bound for Campaign use on top and sides and stunning specimen wood marquetry on all sides. Brass inlaid string throughout. Recessed brass carry handles. The gorgeous floral marquetry features a bull's head as it central motif. The front base panel drops down to open the interior by key (it has its original key). Once open it hinges to reveal a two-tier interior with stationary drawers, gorgeous original velvet lining and fret work. By removing all internal drawers, you can access a hidden button that releases a secret drawer. Some people have called this a 'Zanzibar Box...

Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

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.