British Colonial Sculptures
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
Leather Giraffe Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautifully hand crafted leather giraffe sculpture. Excellent decorative addition for any home. Expertly crafted.
19.5” tall
11” deep
4.5” wide
Would fit in traditional, British c...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Large White Table Coral Sculpture on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive white coral assemblage using an exceptionally large table coral specimen with its sea inspired color and textures. Presented on a lucite base to enhance the sculptural ele...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Solomon Islands British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Coral
Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base.
Dimensions:
17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Brass Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brass banana tree or palm tree sculpture with a custom burnished bronze like finish, removable leaves, a weighted base decorated with floral designs,...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Very Large Bronze Elephant Sculpture, Near Life Size
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable elephant sculpture expertly crafted in bronze with a lush patina, ambitious attention to detail, and a dramatic near life size scale.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Mid-Century Palm Tree Decorative Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In vogue pair of mid-century stylized palm tree sculptures crafted in cast fiberglass. Painted in an off white finish and presented in faux planters filled with seashells.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass
Pair of Faux 'Elephant Tusk', Marble Bookends or Dresser Ornaments, 20th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of faux elephant tusk bookends or decorative ornaments for your desk, dresser or in front of your entrance hall mirror. They are constructe...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Antique English Staffordshire Porcelain Figurine Girl Seated on Waterfall Bird
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century staffordshire porcelain figure showing a young woman seated on the rocks above a waterfall with two birds.
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
1 Large Mounted Sable Antelope Skull with Large Curved Ringed Horns / Antlers
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent, stunning African sable antelope with large curved ringed horns or antlers mounted on a wrought iron stand. The piece is mounted as a scul...
Category
20th Century African British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Carved Coral Bowl or Planter
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a large piece of bowl coral with its bleached white color and sea inspired texture, carved and repurposed as a bowl or planter.
Available only in the United States of Americ...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Coral
Pair of Sea Fan Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of sea fan sculptures crafted or dipped in silvered metal with amazing accuracy and presented on classic form lacquered stands. Signed Eduardo Garza...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Pair of Eclectic 20th Century British Colonial Terracotta Elephants in Pale Pink
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta elephants from the early 20th century, India, with nicely rendered details. These eclectic statues have a very subtle, nicely aged, layer of pal...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of English Brown Leather Boots with Shoe Trees
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of English brown leather riding boots with shoe trees
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Carved Wood Colorful Life Size Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Extraordinary tall vintage palm tree sculpture handcrafted in wood carved and paint decorated with leaves, coconuts, trunk, and weighted terra firma base.
Category
20th Century Balinese British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Facing Pair of Early to Mid-20th Century Regal, Majolica Lion Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of very regal seated Majolica lions, a white glaze over a terracotta base, great condition, with some of the terracotta showing through the glaze,...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Pair of British Colonial Terracotta Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta lions. This majestic pair of painted terracotta lions from the early 20th century will bring an air of regalness to any room.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
British Colonial Wood Column on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom Stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, ...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Leather Stuffed Elephant
Located in Huntington, NY
Faux ivory tusks.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Leather, Straw
Maitland Smith Tessilated Marble & Brass Turtle Thinker Obelisk Sculpture 20”
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Leather Elephant Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Hand made leather elephant sculpture. Original condition. Likely an Anglo-Indian era import. Faux ivory tusks.
Would make a great adornment to a bookshelf or desk. Would fit well i...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Large Carved Arab Sculpture with Coffee and Pipe, Vienna, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A masterly carved wooden statue of an Arab drinking coffee and smoking his pipe. An antique shop window decoration from a coffee shop or a tobacco ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Decorative Elephants
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of large 19th Century Anglo-Indian, very important, wooden elephants with Kashmir work.
With the quality and scale of these magnificent items, they were quite possibly made for ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Brass Elephant Head on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout Anglo Indian cast brass elephant head sculpture presented on a turned brass stand. Hand polished and lacquered for easy care.
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Tole Military Hat Trade Sign on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Trade sign depicting an 18th century British officer's hat with a weathered finish and presented on a custom Lucite stand.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Tôle
Pair of Early 19th Century English Antique Decorative Wooden Oak & Pine Globes
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of British colonial wooden sculptural globes. The brown one is in solid oak and the black in stained pine. In great vintage condition and very decorative.
Sold as a set.
Dime...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Oak, Pine
Vintage Boho Hand Painted Ceramic Military Figure
Located in west palm beach, FL
Bring a touch of refined whimsy and historical charm to your decor with this hand-painted vintage ceramic military figure. Dressed in an 18th-century style tricorne hat and regal blue and pink coat, this figurine holds a spyglass, poised as if surveying a distant horizon. The bold colors, expressive face, and classic detailing make it a delightful accent for bookcases, desktops, or curio cabinets—perfect for lovers of antique militaria...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Elefante de cuero “Liberty of London”
Located in VALÈNCIA, ES
Elefante de cuero “Liberty of London” Circa 1.940, realizado en madera hueca con relleno y cuero marrón natural.
Category
1940s English Vintage British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Cowhide, Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Limited Edition Cast Elephant by Louis Paul Jonas
By Louis Paul Jonas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Limited edition cast elephant that captures the essence of these noble animals. This composition edition is presented on a classical wood base signed Louis Paul Jonas...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Composition
Glass Beaded Parrot Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Glass beaded parrot sculpture ambitiously crafted with glass beads and perched on a custom wood, brass, and Lucite stand.
Category
20th Century South African British Colonial Sculptures
Bronze Finish Spelter Bust William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bronze Finish Spelter Bust William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS
William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was of the PrimeMinister of United Kingdom for 12 years, this is very attractive bust, it ...
Category
1960s Vintage British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Spelter
Pair of White Terracotta Lions
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical pair of Italian midcentury terracotta male and female lions with a white glaze and
painted details. Although hardly ferocious these seated big c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
E 11 R Gold Monogrammed on Teak, from a Royal Vessel This interesting piece
Located in Chillerton, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Teak
British Colonial sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, James Hinks & Son, Joseph Hinks & Sons, and Louis Paul Jonas. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $25,000 while the average work can sell for $3,200.