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
18th CENTURY NEOCLASSIC CLOCK WITH CHARIOT
Located in Firenze, FI
Refined neoclassical clock in gilded bronze and marble base. The body consists of a classical depiction with a gilded bronze chariot and a swan's head, inside which sits a draped gir...
Marble, Bronze
$5,088
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
Gustavian Wall Clock, Brass & Enamel, 18th Century, Sweden
Located in Ljungby, SE
Large Gustavian wall clock with a movement signed by Jacob Kock (1737-1805). He was a court clockmaker in Stockholm and supplied clocks to the court of King Gustav III. This pendulum...
Brass, Enamel, Iron
$1,900
H 3 in W 3 in D 3 in
Tiffany & Co. by Concord Sterling Silver Art Deco Hand Hammered 8 Day Clock 1930
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Concord for Tiffany & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Hand Hammered / Art Deco 8 Day Travel Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA ...
Sterling Silver
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
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
Wonderful English 18th-19th Century Red Chinoiserie Grandfather Clock
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
English late 18th-early 19th century red chinoiserie grandfathers clock. Brass dial inscribed Jan Chater. Working condition. Beautiful detail and paint. Wonderful condition.
Metal
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
Zenith Pocket Watch Grand Prix Paris, 1900
By Zenith
Located in Delft, NL
Zenith pocket watch Grand Prix Paris, 1900 A Swiss pocket watch marked Zenith and 0,800 ( silver 800) A triple case with outside silver and on ...
Silver
French 18th Century Skeleton Clock by Charles Voisin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 18th century Skeleton clock with oval glass panel by Charles Voisin.
Brass
18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Tall Case Clock
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Tall case clock with chinoiserie decoration throughout the case, including figures, pagodas, and flowering trees in gold. The hood has a pagoda top with brass finials and flanking co...
Brass
$5,626
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
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