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.
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 ...
Copper
French 18th Century Large Scale Copper Pitcher
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming French large scale copper pitcher. A terrific kitchen island oraccessory.
Copper
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the sh...
Ceramic, Majolica
Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Pitcher by Vallauris, 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. Manufactured by Vallauris, France, 1950s Eye-catching hand painted brown, orange and blue-green large Majolica ceramic vase, fish glug jug...
Majolica, Ceramic
$1,768Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 7.09 in D 6.3 in
Spanish Green Terracotta Handled Jug Vase / Pitcher / Vessel, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Iberian style handled jug vase, jar or vessel in green unglazed terracotta. Spain, 1940s Catalan unglazed vase in green terracotta. Elegant piece, beautiful from all sides a...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Terracotta
$220 / item
H 6.3 in Dm 5.52 in
Lilac Carafe and cups Inspired by Traditional Carafes Jug, Pitcher Decorative
Located in London, GB
Our carafe colection is a tribute to the traditional pitchers of the regions of Tonala´ and Tlaquepaque in Jalisco, these two regions developed during the period of the conquest as p...
Ceramic
$229 / item
H 7.49 in Dm 6.5 in
Pink Carafe and cups Inspired by Traditional Carafes Jug, Pitcher Decorative
Located in London, GB
Our carafe colection is a tribute to the traditional pitchers of the regions of Tonala´ and Tlaquepaque in Jalisco, these two regions developed during the period of the conquest as pottery centers. Originally these bottles were used to store water in addition to keeping it a few degrees below room temperature, their low temperature cooking allows the jug to breathe water and this in contact with the outside air cools the jug and therefore the liquid inside. To avoid moisture stains on the surfaces where the jug is placed, a plate is placed. The jugs were usually decorated with paintings...
Ceramic
$230 / item
H 7.49 in Dm 6.5 in
Blue Carafe and cups Inspired by Traditional Carafes Jug, Pitcher Decorative
Located in London, GB
Our carafe colection is a tribute to the traditional pitchers of the regions of Tonala´ and Tlaquepaque in Jalisco, these two regions developed during the period of the conquest as p...
Ceramic
T J & J Mayers Parian Jug or Pitcher
By T.J. & J. Mayer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
T J & J Mayers Parian jug or pitcher.
Ceramic
$1,497
H 9.65 in W 8.86 in D 4.14 in
Oversized Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Vase Tall Pitcher, France 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. France, 1950s-1960s Manufactured by Vallauris Ceramics. Eye-catching large green Majolica ceramic va...
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Large English Metal Pitcher, Late 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Large English metal pitcher, late 19th century. A handsome early 20th century copper jug with a distinctive patina surface decoration. The large pitcher displays well with a lovely...
Metal
$220 / item
H 5.91 in Dm 5.91 in
Yellow Carafe and glasses. Inspired by Traditional Ceramic Jug Pitchers
Located in London, GB
Our carafe colection is a tribute to the traditional pitchers of the regions of Tonala´ and Tlaquepaque in Jalisco, these two regions developed during the period of the conquest as p...
Ceramic
Sold
H 25.75 in Dm 12.25 in
Huge Glass Rare Eglomise Paint Decorated Advertising Opium Jar from 1870s Era
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic find! This glass and brass Opium jar is over 2 feet tall and Measures 25.75 tall x 12.25 in diameter. The jar is in good antique conditio...
Metal
Sold
H 16 in W 11.375 in D 11.375 in
Vintage John Derian Large Square Porcelain Lidded Jar with Birds and Foliage
By John Derian
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...
Porcelain
Sold
H 14.5 in W 6.25 in D 6.25 in
Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
By John Derian
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...
Porcelain
Sold
H 24 in W 20 in D 15 in
Very Large 19th Century Stoneware Brandy Barrel, with Royal Coats of Arms
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A very large stoneware brandy barrel it is in good condition with minor chips, it has the traditional hooped design with a royal appointment in embossed ...
Earthenware
Set of 10 Green Antique Glass Jars, circa 1880, UK
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Set of 10 green glass jars in different sizes both diameter and heights, England, circa 1880s. All in the same shade green except one in more of an olive shade.
Stained Glass
Pair of Vintage West Indies Style Tobacco Jars
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Dutch colonial style glazed terra cotta or pottery tobacco jars, decorated with pipe smoking figures and colorful leaf motifs, in the West Indian manner. Both jars have bras...