British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

3 Results

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.

Style: British Colonial

Maitland Smith Tessilated Marble & Brass Turtle Thinker Obelisk Sculpture 20”

$560Sale Price|30% Off

Maitland Smith Tessilated Marble & Brass Turtle Thinker Obelisk Sculpture 20”

By Maitland Smith

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage Maitland Smith stone tesslated marble stone obelisk sculpture standing on the backs of four brass turtles, which in turn sit atop a square pedestal. At the tip of the obelisk sits another brass turtle, anthropomorphized in the position of The Thinker. Marked 198 on base. Hand Made in the...

Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Rustic Anglo-Indian Candleholder

$750

Antique Rustic Anglo-Indian Candleholder

Located in Sheffield, MA

The large sculptural antique rustic Anglo-Indian candleholder made from architectural element. Carved hardwood with an indented metal disk and spike or pricket for candles with extra...

Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

E 11 R Gold Monogrammed on Teak, from a Royal Vessel This interesting piece

$1,886

E 11 R Gold Monogrammed on Teak, from a Royal Vessel This interesting piece

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

E 11 R Gold Monogrammed on Teak, from a Royal Vessel This interesting piece probably came from one of the Tenders for a Royal Craft, it is 3 dimensional and it is carved, about 70 ...

Category

1950s Vintage British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Teak

Pair of Antique Anglo-Indian Etched and Polychrome Brass Peacock Figures

$2,350 / set

H 12.63 in W 11.63 in D 4.5 in

Pair of Antique Anglo-Indian Etched and Polychrome Brass Peacock Figures

Located in Houston, TX

Pair of Antique Anglo-Indian etched and polychrome brass peacock figures. Stunning pair of Anglo-Indian etched and polychrome brass peacock figures or sculptures. These beautiful pe...

Category

1920s Indian Vintage British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Reduction Vessel #4 Faceted Carved and Polished Bronze Piece Unique Collectible

$1,100

H 7 in W 5 in D 3.5 in

Reduction Vessel #4 Faceted Carved and Polished Bronze Piece Unique Collectible

By Henry Norris

Located in Vancouver, BC

Reduction series vessels are process driven collectible design, handmade from solid silicon bronze. Our process is as follows: 1) The blank is hand carved by the designer, reduced from a large block of foam 2) Foam is used as a pattern for cutting of sheet bronze that forms the faceted surface 3...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Sheet Metal

Lizard Sculpture by Maitland-Smith

$2,350

H 1.75 in W 12 in D 7 in

Lizard Sculpture by Maitland-Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Life size lizard sculpture or object of art handcrafted with silver plate on bronze metal head, legs, and bottom and featuring a tortoise shell terrazzo back. Signed Maitland-Smith o...

Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Anglo-Indian Brass Cow Sculpture

$2,850

H 21.5 in W 35 in D 14 in

Vintage Anglo-Indian Brass Cow Sculpture

Located in Houston, TX

Vintage Anglo-Indian brass cow sculpture. Beautiful detail and patina to the brass. Great conversation piece!

Category

1950s Indian Vintage British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Interesting Plaster Sculpture, circa 1950

$1,716Sale Price|20% Off

H 12.8 in W 10.44 in D 4.53 in

Interesting Plaster Sculpture, circa 1950

Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France

This beautiful interesting sculpture is made of plaster. This is a French work, circa 1950.

Category

1950s French Vintage British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Antique Anglo Indian Quill Box

$1,195

H 3.75 in W 8.5 in D 7.5 in

Antique Anglo Indian Quill Box

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Intriguing antique Anglo Indian lidded box handcrafted in porcupine quills and ebony in a hexagon form decorated with bone dots. The interior is lined with felt and features a painte...

Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bone, Felt, Organic Material, Ebony

Shell Sculpture on Stand by Maitland Smith

$900

H 17 in W 12 in D 7.25 in

Shell Sculpture on Stand by Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Glamorous 1980’s shell sculpture on stand bu Maitland Smith. Constructed of wood covered with tessellated fossil stone and detailed outline with brass inlaid. In beautiful original...

Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Maitland Smith Tessellated Duck Sculptures/ Bookends

$1,450 / set

H 6.5 in W 12 in D 5 in

Pair of Maitland Smith Tessellated Duck Sculptures/ Bookends

By Maitland Smith

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Pair of Maitland Smith tessellated fossil coral and polished horn duck sculptures/ bookends with brass trim.

Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

19th Century Pair Anglo-Indian Rosewood Elephants with Bone Inlay

$2,551 / set

H 8 in W 5.5 in D 10 in

19th Century Pair Anglo-Indian Rosewood Elephants with Bone Inlay

Located in Dublin 8, IE

19th Century pair Anglo-Indian carved rosewood elephant statues with bone inlay. The pair are hand carved and profusely inlaid throughout with intric...

Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bone, Rosewood

I Beam Original Piece From 1902 Y Bridge Collectible Stamped Bookend Doorstopper

$475

H 7 in W 6 in D 3 in

I Beam Original Piece From 1902 Y Bridge Collectible Stamped Bookend Doorstopper

Located in San Diego, CA

Solid Iron original piece from Famous Y Bridge Ohio , with brass stamp edition 1995, numbered 174, can be used as door stopper or bookend or sculpture .

Category

20th Century American British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Maitland Smith Hollywood Regency Tessellated Stone Brass Rattan Bird Sculpture

$1,420

H 48 in W 12 in D 8 in

Maitland Smith Hollywood Regency Tessellated Stone Brass Rattan Bird Sculpture

By Maitland Smith

Located in Miami, FL

Large Hollywood Regency style crane bird sculpture by Maitland Smith. The tall crane bird is made out of tessellated stone, rattan reeds, and polished gold brass. Labeled underneath...

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Pair of Maitland Smith Large Bronze and Marble Egret Bird Sculptures, Labeled

$2,750 / set

H 29 in W 8.2 in D 7.7 in

Pair of Maitland Smith Large Bronze and Marble Egret Bird Sculptures, Labeled

By Maitland Smith

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage pair of large sculptures features elegantly rendered standing figures of egrets. The birds are done in patinated bronze with slight verdigris effect; they are mounted on prom...

Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Previously Available Items

Maitland Smith Tessilated Stone & Brass Winged Lions Obelisk Sculpture 31”

Sold

H 30.5 in W 7 in D 7 in

Maitland Smith Tessilated Stone & Brass Winged Lions Obelisk Sculpture 31”

By Maitland Smith

Located in Dayton, OH

Large vintage Maitland Smith tessellated marble stone obelisk sculpture, standing on the backs of four brass winged lions, which in turn lay atop a ...

Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Brass

British Colonial abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial abstract sculptures 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 abstract sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial abstract sculptures made in a specific country, there are Asia, India, and South Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original abstract sculptures, popular names associated with this style include and Maitland Smith. 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 abstract sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $800 while the average work can sell for $775.