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British Colonial Decorative Objects

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
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Sherwood & Wedge British Nautical Maritime Brass Onion Ship Oil Lanterns
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two antique Sherwood & Wedge "onion" navigational lamps featuring a cylindrical brass base, pierced top and fluted chimney cap, rotating wire bail handle, and simple wire cag...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral

Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...
Category

Early 20th Century British British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Iron

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...
Category

1950s Sri Lankan Vintage British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Fiberglass

18th C. English Pine Curtis & Horspool London Act of Parliament Tavern Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
18th century monumental museum quality Act of Parlament clock. Made from pine with a large round face over elongated case. Features an enameled metal face marked Curis Horspool in Le...
Category

18th Century Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box
Located in Austin, TX
Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small...
Category

Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Antique English Copper Flagon Jug Vessel Pitcher Hallmark #2 C. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful Antique English Copper FLAGON, Pitcher, Vessel or Jug #2~~c. 1900 Excellent heavy copper flagon with hallmark 15" tall to top of handle ...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Vintage John Derian Large Square Porcelain Lidded Jar with Birds and Foliage
Located in Doylestown, PA
Oversized, square porcelain hand-painted lidded jar in the shape of a tea caddy by John Derian with birds after the 18th century biological illustrations of naturalist George Edwards...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Maitland Smith Mahogany Curio Golf Ball Display Wall Cabinet Case German Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare Maitland Smith curio cabinet. Made from naturally distressed mahogany with glass front opening to four shelves with brass tee shaped pedestals intended to display golf balls. The crown of the clock showcases crossed golf clubs over a German made clock...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Castilian Ornamental Porcelain & Brass Elephant Horn Drinking Hunt Vase 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornamental hunt theme drinking horn / centerpiece trophy / cornucopia epergne / flower vase featuring a tapered pedestal base with brass capped feet and circus Elephant balancing a porcelain horn or tusk. Stamped on base, Item No. 4052-C4A. Castilian Imports...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mercury Glass Silvered Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of mercury glass silvered candlesticks. Silvered mercury glass is mouth-blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution. The silvering is ...
Category

Late 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Mercury Glass

Pair of Hand Painted Porcelain Parrot Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual rectangular porcelain flower vases decorated on both sides with hand painted tropical colored varying parrot species. The opening on the tops is divided into three sections f...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Colonial 18th Century Vizagapatam Pen-Engraved Writing Desk with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Vizagapatam pen-engraved veneered sandalwood portable writing desk with silver mounts India, Coromandel coast, Visakhapatnam, circa 1875 ...
Category

18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Sandalwood, Bone

Godinger Silver Plate Scalloped Lidded Trinket Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely etched and scalloped silver plate trinket box - with a removable lid and lined in red velvet. The lid has an acorn finial. A compli...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian Majolica Ceramic Bowl in the Shape of a Lion's Head 1960
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Italian handcrafted Majolica ceramic bowl, ashtray in the shape of a lion's head. Decorate a shelf or a kitchen counter with this elegant Majolica bowl hand painted and is be...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Maitland Smith Post Modern Zebra Hide Box 1980's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Post Modern 1980s Maitland Smith decorative box made of a square wood bottom covered in brown leather and top lid covered with zebra hide with a round polished brass and hyde p...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Zebra Hide

Late 20th Century John Somers Pewter Round Flower Bowl
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter ‘Floreira’ Flower Bowl Dimensions: 5 x 5 inches (round) Material: High-quality Brazilian pewter Features: Footed base for stability and elegance Sophist...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Brazilian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Pewter

Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 20th century porcelain jungle-themed lidded jars by New York designer, John Derian. Elegant vases feature multiple jungle animals including elephants, tigers, monkeys and zeb...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large Pencil Reed Rattan Floor Vase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury floor vase crafted in pencil reed with a Classic form and warm lush finish.
Category

20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Reed

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ebony

Anglo Indian Bronze Serving Bowl on a Palm Tree Stand with Camel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style cast bronze fruit or serving bowl on a palm tree stand over a camel on a faux terra firma base.
Category

Late 20th Century Indian British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Set of Three 18th Century Hand-Made Brass Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Three 18th Century Hand-Made Brass Candlesticks were designed to be functional yet attractive as they would remain in plain view all day, and only be utilized at night. Back in the days before electric lighting, candles were worth their weight in silver, as the process to make them was still laborious hand-labor, and the wax itself wasn't inexpensive. Many of our trunks from this period had separate cabinets inside the locked trunk...
Category

1770s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral

Antique English Sterling Silver Gift Box Commissioned by Kehdive Abbas Hilmi II
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Engish presentation silver box. In sterling silver with a gilt interior by George Unite & Sons of Chester in 1899. Commissioned as a gift by Abbas Hilmi II, the last...
Category

1890s British Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

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...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Faux Leather

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Massive Pair of Early 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Massive pair of early 19th century English candlesticks.
Category

1810s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Vintage Import Leather Bengal Tiger
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Vintage import leather wrapped bengal tiger. 15” long 7” tall 4” wide. Exquisite details throughout and excellent muscle formation.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Antique English Pewter Plate
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pewter plate made in England by unknown manufacturer. An good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful p...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Antique English Pewter Plate
Antique English Pewter Plate
$498 Sale Price
40% Off
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Hand Crafted Leather Jaguar Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautiful hand crafted leather jaguar. Leather wrapped and hand painted. Beautiful details and life like. 20” long 10.5” tall 6” wide
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Leather Stuffed Elephant
Located in Huntington, NY
Faux ivory tusks.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Straw

Leather Stuffed Elephant
Leather Stuffed Elephant
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Coastal Burnt Bamboo and Cane Mini Chest of Drawers
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
A small chest of drawers made from bamboo and cane wrapping. Would make a great addition to the top of any credenza, dresser or mantle. Piece has been deep cleaned, some repairs, a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

1900s Old English Liquor Flask & Cup
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old English silver liquor flask & cup figural relief hunting castle 5.5 tall x 3.75 w x 1.5 d Cup 2.38 tall x 1.5 diameter cap serves as a cup Preowned vintage condition. Numbered a...
Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philan...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver

19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
Located in Dallas, TX
Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece. Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods. This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony. The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining. This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!! We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction. ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:- (1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...
Category

Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Ebony, Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Antico orologio oro argento
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...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped. Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan. Southern Heirlooms Eliza...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Set di 4 Candelieri da altare. BRONZO E OTTONE.
Located in Cantù, IT
Set di 4 Candelieri da altare. BRONZO E OTTONE. set di 4 candelieri di altissima qualità artigianale con dettagli vintage e design unico. Created and designed by Mice di Domenico Ru...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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.
Category

18th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Rare 18th Century English Clock
Rare 18th Century English Clock
$5,605 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Composition

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...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects

Materials

Zebra Hide

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Tôle

British Colonial decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c., Dresden Porcelain, and Europa Antiques. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $25,000 while the average work can sell for $1,894.

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