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.
Pair, Scottish Apothecary Amethyst Glass Bottles, C. 1890 With Labels
Located in Atlanta, GA
Scottish Apothecary Amethyst Glass Bottles A matched pair of Scottish apothecary display bottles in deeply saturated amethyst (blackberry) glass, made in the classic globular “shop ...
Blown Glass
Pair, 19th Century English Brighton Pavilion Style Decoupage & Gilt wood Vases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A decorative pair of 19th century English lidded vases in the Brighton Pavilion taste, turned in wood and finished with a deep cobalt-blue ground enriched by decoupage floral ornamen...
Giltwood
Majolica Boot Umbrella or Cane Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical midcentury Majolica or glazed terra cotta umbrella or cane Stand in the form of Italian military boots complete with tassels and spurs.
Porcelain
Vintage Comoy's of London Leather-Clad Ceramic Tobacco Humidor Made in Italy
By Susan Williams-Ellis, Ralph Lauren, Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
An exceptionally refined and rare vintage tobacco container created for Comoy's of London, this handsome ceramic humidor embodies the timeless elegance associated with classic Englis...
Ceramic, Leather
19th Century American Brass Oval Pot with Wrought Iron Handle
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19/20th Century) brass oval pot with wrought iron handle
Brass
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.
Reed
$1,950 / set
Pair of Faux Alligator Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tall vases ingeniously crafted in cast composition depicting alligator hide with brass like highlights.
Faux Leather
19th Century Royal Navy Oak Fire Bucket, with Plymouth Armorial Crest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Royal Navy Oak Fire Bucket, with Plymouth Armorial Crest This is a superb looking piece made in Oak and decorated with the Plymouth Armorial Crest, it was used as a wa...
Oak
$1,440Sale Price|40% Off
H 17 in Dm 12.75 in
Late 19th Century Spanish Clay Pot with Two Handles, 12.75\" Size
Located in Wainscott, NY
Late 19th Century Primitive Spanish Clay Pot. Found in Spain. This Substantial and beautiful pot has two handles and a blacked finish. Dimensions: 1...
Clay
Pair 19th Century Sevres style lidded vases.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of French Sevres style porcelain lidded vases with ormolu mounts, each having a cobalt blue ground, gilded foliate decoration, inset hand painted panels depicting...
Porcelain
19th Century Pair / Gilt Bronze Mounted Imari Porcelain Vases
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century pair of gilt bronze mounted imari porcelain decorative vases or urns. Each urn is in good antique condition with minor wear consistent...
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Copper Pot with Iron Swing Handle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French early 20th century copper pot with iron swing handle. Hand raised copper, tin lined, distinctive twist iron handle made by Havard workshop with the Villedieu "Viking Longship"...
Copper, Wrought Iron
Large Rattan Vase, 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
Large vase decorated with rolled rattan rods and wooden slices. France, 1970s.
Rattan
Spanish Brass Boot Umbrella Holder
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fun 1970s hand-hammered solid brass boot umbrella holder. Marked made in Spain on the heel. Dimensions: 21.75” high 12” wide 7.5” deep.
Brass
$800
H 15 in W 21 in D 18 in
Mid-19th Century French Brass and Wrought Iron Kindling Cache Pot Planter
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring an authentic French countryside touch to your kitchen with this large antique kindling pot. Crafted in Normandy, France, circa 1870, the important cache pot is round in shape and dressed with a wrought iron handle attached with rivets. The simple, traditional kitchen accessory is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich polished finish throughout. Versatile, the big pot could also be used as a big waste basket, a wine or beer cooler...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Boho Chic Pencil Reed Floor Vases - a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your space with Boho Chic Pencil Reed Floor Vases. Intricate design and natural finish add warmth to coastal or eclectic interiors. We sell items as acquired, without rest...
Reed
$9,990
H 19.97 in Dm 8.67 in
Colorful Hand Painted Ceramic Midcentury Umbrella Stand by Eberhard Dänzer, 1965
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning, unique one off & rare Mid-Century Modern vintage umbrella Stand or holder signed and dated (5.1.1965) by the German artist Eberhard Dänzer (1935-2008) Karlsruhe, Germany in...
Ceramic
Midcentury Pencil Reed Rattan Floor Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Handcrafted midcentury floor vase made from pencil reed.
Rattan
19th Century French Painted Porcelain Cache Pot with Snake Handles from Gien
By Gien
Located in Dallas, TX
This round and colorful antique planter was created in “Faïencerie de Gien," France, circa 1890. The large porcelain flower pot has intertwined snake handles, and features traditional Greek style motifs throughout. The sculptural, ceramic vase is decorated with hand painted traditional allegory motifs, including the Horn of plenty and lambrequin mantling decor. The elegant porcelain piece is in excellent condition with rich painted colors in the blue, white and yellow palette inside and out. Stamped Gien France underfoot for further authentication. The Faïencerie de Gien is a ceramic factory in the Loire Valley, founded in 1821 by Thomas Edme Hulm. Amongst the many faience manufacturers in the 19th century, the reputation of Gien is equal to those of the factories of Creil, Longwy or Sarreguemines. Gien further developed the technique of emaux cloisonné...
Porcelain
$1,400
H 9 in W 26 in D 15.5 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Oval Jardiniere with Handles
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a dining table, console, or entry with this elegant antique bronze jardinière. Crafted in France circa 1880, the oval vessel rests on four finely cast scrolled feet adorned wit...
Bronze
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
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...
Metal
Victorian Indian Hand Worked Copper Pale
Located in Altrincham, GB
Victorian Indian Hand Worked Copper Pale - "Grand Tour Souvenir" - 9"diam x 9.5"h (14" to the top of the handle)
Copper
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
Early 20thC Indian Brass Planter
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Indian Brass Planter on Solid Brass Scrolled Stand originally purchased on a Grand Tour - 19"w x 18"d x 32"h
Brass
Sold
H 16.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
Vintage Maitland Smith Harlequin Penshell Brass Footed Decorative Modern Box Urn
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Maitland Smith Lidded Box / Urn. Features a beautiful Harlequin pattern Penshell exterior resting on a footed brass neoclassical style tasseled base. The lid opens ...
Brass
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
Maitland Smith Heavy Bronze Lidded Mantel Urn Vase Ginger Jar 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage heavy bronze lidded ginger jar / urn / vase, produced by Maitland Smith. Designed and Hand Made in Thailand. 458 XP. Dimensions: 11" x 18.5" (Diameter x Height)
Bronze
Sold
H 25.75 in W 7.25 in D 16.5 in
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...
Brass
Two Natural Horn Cups with Silvered Rims
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Two cups of natural horn with silvered mounted rims. The cups are light on one side and darker on the reverse. They are of slightly different heights. They are perfect on a desk for ...
Silver Plate
Hand Engraved & Painted Fine British India Silver Plated Vase
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Very fine hand engraved and painted silver plated British India export vase with excellent floral detail. Cylindrical hour glass shape is unique. One foo...
Silver Plate