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.
Monumental Tropical Banana Leaf Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A fabulous monumental porcelain ginger jar by Oriental Accent featuring an all-over tropical banana leaf motif against a rich tobacco brown ground. The sculptural faceted form is ad...
Porcelain
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
Vintage Japanese Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This Vintage Japanese Porcelain Ginger Jar features a striking hand-painted bamboo design, signed by the artist in Japanese. Its mid-20th-century Asian craftsmanship adds a touch of ...
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic blue and white ginger jar, decorated throughout with delicate Chinoiserie floral motifs. The pattern is dense yet balanced, wrapping the form in movement while maintaining ...
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Ginger Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Ginger Jar. Jar features a finely hand-painted figural scene in rich colors of pink, yellow, red, blue, green se...
Porcelain
Wedgwood Jasperware Blue White Pitcher Vase Greek Key Neoclassical English
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful cobalt blue and white Jasperware pitcher, with Greek-Key boarders, in the Neoclassical design style, by Wedgwood, circa early-20th century, 1930s - 1940s, England. Pitch...
Stoneware
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
Chinese Hand Painted Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Chinese Hand-Painted Porcelain Ginger Jar with intricate floral and vine motifs, a perfect decorative accent for any room. We sell items as acquired, without restoring or repairin...
Porcelain
$2,750 / set
H 25 in W 14 in D 14 in
Vintage Boho Monumental Blue and White Lidded Ginger Jars - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a commanding statement in your interior with this spectacular pair of monumental vintage porcelain temple jars. Featuring the timeless allure of classic blue and white Chinoiser...
Porcelain
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
Japanese Imari Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover the Japanese Imari Porcelain Ginger Jar with hand-painted birds and lotus flowers, symbolizing perfection and immortality. We sell items as acquired, without restoring or...
Porcelain
$2,145
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...
Earthenware, Terracotta, Ceramic
Vintage Hand Painted Asian Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover the Vintage Hand-Painted Asian Porcelain Ginger Jar with intricate floral motifs and rich colors, a timeless decor addition. We sell items as acquired, without restoring ...
Porcelain
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...