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.
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...
Hardwood
Antique Luggage Crocodile Skin Leather Suitcase, Colonial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique suitcase made of crocodile leather handstitched with leather lacing and secured with tacks, an attractive antique reptile skin suitcase with a...
Faux Leather
$390 / set
English Country Brass Paperweights
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (19th Cent) brass 3 similar piece weight set with loop top (1@ 4 oz, 1 @ 1lb., 1 @ 2lbs.)
Brass
Art Deco Brass and Steel Shears
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco brass and steel shears.
Brass
English Art Deco Chrome Plated Shears
Located in Queens, NY
English Art Deco large chrome plated shears.
Chrome
Antique Decorative Desk Stand, Indian, Ebony, Colonial Writer's Tidy, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative desk stand. An Indian, ebony Colonial writer's tidy, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Striking dark tonality with eye-catching Colon...
Ebony
Italian Art Deco Letter Holder in Stainless With Brass Accents
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant mirror shine, Letter holder like new condition circa 1940's stamped made in Italy great for Mid Century Danish Modern Deco decor.
Brass, Stainless Steel
Italian Design Ghidini 1961 Brass Rabbit Paperweight
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Brescia, IT
This is the latest iconic object designed by Stefano Giovannoni, for Ghidini 1961. An Italian contemporary design factory. Its designers: Campana Brothers, Mendini, Studio Job and mo...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4273 'Foot' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4273 'Foot' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
$269 / item
H 0.75 in W 5.5 in D 0.75 in
Minimal Bottle Opener Made in Brass, Stainless Steel and Raw Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
Strong in form and heavy in weight, the bottle openers are elegant in their simplicity and precision. Solid bar stock is transformed through the most minimal intervention possible, c...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel
Vintage Wood Strapped Suitcase Luggage
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Art Deco period luggage, hard sided canvas with wood straps. This example is in fair condition, and is for decoration only.
Canvas, Wood
Vintage Brass Turtle on Faux Book Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique vintage brass turtle on faux book paperweight, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 5.25"W x 3.5"D x 3"H. The ...
Brass
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...
Wood
Three Fold Crocodile Skin Room Divider
Located in Kent, Dover
A French three fold room divider in hand stitched black crocodile skin. The reverse of plain dark wood, and with brass hinges.
Leather
$2,850
H 18 in W 27 in D 7 in
Cartier Must de Cartier Burgundy Red C Logo Leather Suitcase Luggage Paris 1975
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage leather suitcase "Les Must de Cartier" burgundy Bordeaux luggage. Cartier Must de Cartier Burgundy Red C Logo Leather Suitcase Luggag...
Leather
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...
Metal
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4223 'Hand' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Ca...
Brass
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Always very popular and a very useful desk-top accessory, this one is one of the larger examples, quite an imposing size. These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser o...
Brass
Vintage Caledonia Tartan Mauchline-Style Card Case
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tartan-decorated card case in the tradition of Mauchline ware, but likely produced in the second half of the 20th century, reflecting a revivalist interest in Scottish decorative h...
Wood, Paper
Zebra Hide Desk Set
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable vintage campaign zebra desk set with a blotter, a notepad, and a pen holder. Possible Hermes. Blotter H: 12 W: 23 D: .5 Notepad H: 5.5 W: 8 D: 1 Penholde...
Zebra Hide
Hand Engraved & Painted Fine British India Silver Plated Vase
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Very fine hand engraved and painted silver plated British India export vase with excellent floral detail. Cylindrical hour glass shape is unique. One foo...
Silver Plate
Charming Tooled Leather Stationary or Letter Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A charming tooled leather stationary or letter box This is a very attractive and useful piece, the box is in tan tooled leather, it has a rounded shape to the top and the front, t...
Leather
Sold
H 1.75 in W 6.75 in D 3.75 in
Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box with Handwritten Message to Brown Owl, Aug 1939
By SILVA (Sri Lanka)
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Charming Ceylonese rectangular porcupine quill box with ebonized casing and inlaid bone decoration. The sliding lid reveals a plain cedar wood interior. Delightful handwritten message on base 'With love to Brown Owl...
Hardwood
English 19th Century Four Pound Solid Brass Bell Weight-
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English four pound brass bell weight. The perfect paperweight for your desk or a great accessory for any table or shelf. Polished by h...
Brass
Six Decorative Leather Balls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing set of six decorative bocce or lawn balls with a variety of colors and patterns, featuring embossed gold leaf decorations including Greek key and...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 35.44 in
Antique Telescope, Broadhurst Clarkson Signalling MK VI on Signal Stand
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique telescope dating to the early 20th century. In fine order physically and optically, this three draw Broadhurst Clarkson scope...
Antique British Colonial Domed Document Box
Located in Rochester, NY
British colonial domed figured hardwood box with fine brass and copper inlay, 19th century.
Brass, Copper
Oversized Polished Steer Horn Magnifying Glass
Located in Bellport, NY
A massive steer Horn magnifying glass with brass trim.
Brass
19th Century Adjustable Campaign Reading Tray
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very rare antique 19th century. English, mahogany portable tray with adjustable folding reading Stand. Originally designed for use in an armchair, bed or out on the field. Legs unscrew for storage and travel. Original metal label, Leveson and Sons, London attached. Leveson also made folding Campaign beds...