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.
Antico orologio oro argento
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orolo...
Silver
Rare 18th Century English Clock
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare 18th century English clock Marquetry Weight: 9.20 kg England Sizes: H 62cm L 31cm very good condition.
Bronze
$5,281
H 95.67 in W 23.63 in D 10.24 in
Masterful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century
Located in Berlin, DE
Masterful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century. English grandfather clock, 18th century, mahogany veneer with ...
Metal, Brass, Iron
$5,339Sale Price|20% Off
H 84.65 in W 19.69 in D 10.04 in
George III Era Longcase Clock – 18th Century
Located in Opole, PL
George III Era Longcase Clock – 18th Century his elegant 18th-century George III longcase clock is a true masterpiece of period craftsmanship, dating to the first half of the 1700s....
Mahogany
Orologio Da Tavola Anni 50, Design, Vetro Di Murano, Vintage
Located in Milano, MI
orologio da tavola anni 50 - design - vetro di murano - vintage Descrizione : prologio anni 50 in vetro di murano Origini : Italia Periodo di produzione : 1950 ...
Glass
Corum Sterling Silver Erotic "Ball" Desk Clock with Enamel Dial Limited Edition
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Corum Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Erotic Ball Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver and Semi Precious Stones CIRCA / YE...
Sterling Silver
$6,500
H 3 in W 2 in D 1.5 in
Shreve & Co Jade Carriage Clock with Exposed Escapement Sterling Hardware 1915
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve & Co STYLE / REFERENCE: Victorian Style Carriage Miniature Carriage Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nephrite Jade and Sterling Silver Hardware CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 2 Inches Wide X 3 Inches Tall X 1.5 Inches Deep MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 8 Day French with Exposed Platform Escapement. DIAL / HANDS: WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This rare and all original miniature carriage clock was produced for the legendary house of Shreve & Co. The workmanship is exceptional the Silver Hardware is all hand made. We have never seen this extraordinary clock before and it has just been given a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker. Shreve & Co. is a jewelry and watch retailer that was founded in San Francisco, California in 1852. The company was originally founded by George C. Shreve and his nephew Samuel, and it quickly established itself as one of the leading jewelers in the West. In the early days of the company, Shreve & Co. specialized in selling silver...
Jade, Silver
18th Century English Chinoiserie Clock
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An 18th century English longcase clock with chinoiserie decoration on a black lacquer ground, featuring gilt figures, pagodas, and landscape motifs throughout the case. The arched ho...
Brass
$5,839
H 99.61 in W 27.56 in D 12.21 in
Unique Antique English Grandfather Clock, Mahogany, 18th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century. English floor clock, 18th century, mahogany veneer with root woo...
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century by Elda Lippi "OROLOGIO 6" Marble Clock
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. Elda Lippi Size: cm. 12 x 12 x 6 H. Materials: Bianco Carrara - Nero Marquina - Pietra serena - Pietra dorata.
Marble
$6,197
H 82.29 in W 22.05 in D 9.85 in
Late 18th Century English Longcase Clock with Moonphases, Manchester, circa 1780
Located in Greven, DE
Late 18th Century English Grandfather Clock with Moonphases England (Manchester) Mahogany second half of 18th century Dimensio...
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Tavern Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Beautiful late 18th Century English Chinoiserie wall or tavern clock. The Chinoiserie decoration on this clock case is of excellent quality and the scale is impressive too. A good br...
Brass
ELEGANT 18th CENTURY LONDON LONGCASE CLOCK
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A George III period fiddle back mahogany longcase clock. The eight day movement with a full brass dial signed Ed Mann, London Fully cleaned with 2 years warranty Circa 1775
Brass
$175Sale Price|30% Off
H 8.27 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Regulator clock in gilded brass w/ a cut-out shape, mechanical & 36-hour winding
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Gilded brass regulator clock with a cut-out shape, mechanical and 36-hour winding. Metal: Brass. Origin: German. Brand: Mercedes. Weight: 983.19 grams. Dimensions: 21cmx...
Silver
Sold
H 4.75 in W 5.375 in D 5.375 in
Vintage Brass Navigar Necesse Martime Nautical Ships Chronometer Box Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Navigare Necesse Est Authentic Models desktop clock, (Amsterdam London Paris), fashioned after an original by the famous London instrument maker, John Po...
Brass