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
$470Sale Price|20% Off
Late 20th Century John Somers Pewter Pitcher With Lid
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter Water Pitcher with Lid 'Pewter Flagon with Cover in the Portuguese Style' This beautifully crafted John Somers Brazi...
Pewter
1830s Antique Indian Colonial Silver Jug
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Indian colonial silver jug made by Hamilton & Co; part of our dining silverware collection. This magnificent antique Indian silver jug...
Silver
$86Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Pewter Pitcher by John Somers, Mid-20th Century, Brazil
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
Elegant Mid-20th Century Pewter Pitcher by John Somers – Brazil This beautifully crafted 6-inch pitcher is a distinguished piece by John Somers, a well-known Brazilian pewter manuf...
Pewter
$230Sale Price|20% Off
John Somers 'Jarra de Cristal' Pitcher with Pewter Handle, Circa 1980
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter ‘Jarra de Cristal’ Pitcher Dimensions: 7 inches tall Material: Crystal-clear glass body for a sleek and timeless look Sturdy Brazilian pewter handle and...
Pewter
$158Sale Price|20% Off
Johnson Brothers 1953 Coronation Jug, Greydawn Ceramic, Vintage
Located in Raleigh, US
Johnson Bros Coronation Jug – ERII, Elizabeth II 1953 Celebrate a historic moment with this vintage Johnson Bros "Greydawn" Coronation Jug, created to commemorate the coronation of Q...
Ceramic
Vintage Turquoise Pitcher, Second Half of 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Turquoise pitcher is a decorative object realized in the second half of 20th century. Made in Italy. The object is realized in met...
Metal
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
Pitcher with Brass Handle by Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A glass pitcher with leather sleeve and brass handle by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, 1950s. The leather sleeve settles at the top third of the glass and is of a beautifully aged light ta...
Brass
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
Vintage Silver Plate Pitcher with Parrot Handle
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century pitcher hand crafted in silver plate on hammered copper in classic modern form with a bit of whimsy featuring a stone clad parrot as a handle.
Silver Plate, Copper
Mid-20th Century Italian Lemon Pitcher
Located in Charleston, SC
A vibrant hand-painted ceramic pitcher marked Made in Italy, crafted in the form of clustered lemons with leafy green accents and a sculptural branch handle. The body is richly detai...
Ceramic, Paint
Vintage Italian Ceramic Pitcher by Bassano, Mid 20th Century
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage ceramic jug by Bassano made in Italy in mid 20th century. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft produced in the city ...
Ceramic
Vintage Silver Plate Pitcher with Parrot Handle
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century pitcher handcrafted in hammered copper with a silver plate finish in classic form featuring a stone clad parrot as a handle.
Silver Plate, Copper
An unusual modernist water pitcher in pewter
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A very nicely executed pewter pitcher in the modernist style. Hand bent, faceted planes ending in a solid rosewood top stopper.
Pewter
Vintage Italian Ceramic Pitcher by Bassano, Mid 20th Century
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage ceramic jug by Bassano made in Italy in mid 20th century. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft produced in the city ...
Ceramic
Vintage Silver Plate Pitcher with Parrot Handle
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid century pitcher handcrafted in silver plate on hammered copper featuring a stone clad parrot as a handle, likely by Los Castillo.
Stone, Silver Plate, Copper
Sold
H 12 in W 12.5 in D 8.5 in
Antique English Copper Brass Tea Kettle Coffee Pitcher Spout Handle #2 C. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Copper Tea or Coffee Kettle with Pour Spout, Lid with Round Knob, and Copper Handle #2~~c. 1900. Fresh polish Measures: 12"...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 12 in W 13 in D 8.5 in
Antique English Copper Brass Tea Kettle Coffee Pitcher Spout Handle #1 c. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Copper Tea or Coffee Kettle with Pour Spout, Lid, and Copper Handle #1~~c. 1900 "Acorn" finial~~fresh polish 12" tall to t...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 11.75 in W 12 in D 8 in
Antique English Copper Brass Tea Kettle Coffee Pitcher Spout Handle #3 c. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
charming antique English copper tea or coffee kettle with pour spout, lid, and copper handle #3~~c. 1900-1920s "Acorn" finial~~fresh polish Measure...
Brass, Copper
Antique English Copper Brass Tea Kettle Coffee Pitcher Hand Seamed
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful Antique English copper tea or coffee kettle with pour spout and lid~~c. 1900. Measures: 10.5" tall x 11.5" wide x 7" deep. Note: Oak kettle stand shown in photos is n...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 9.25 in W 8.5 in D 6 in
18th Century Susan’s Farewell English Nautical Martime Creamware Pitcher Jug
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique late 18th century George III Liverpool creamware / ironware / transferware jug with black transfer design titled Susan’s Farewell, showing...
Creamware
Sold
H 11.5 in W 13.5 in D 7 in
Antique English Copper Tea Kettle Pitcher Hand Seamed Wood Handle Pour Spout
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful and unique antique English copper tea or coffee kettle with pour spout, hinged lid, and wood handle~~hand-seamed~~c. 1900 Measures: 9" tall to ...
Copper
Sold
H 9 in W 10 in D 7.5 in
Antique English Copper & Brass Kettle Hand Seamed Tea Water Kettle, c. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
Charming antique English copper & brass tea kettle~~hand-seamed~~c. 1900 Excellent copper kettle with lid~~handle is brass Measures: 9" tall to top of handle 6" tall to top of ...
Brass, Copper
English Majolica Glazed Full Figure 19th Century Gentleman Full Body Toby Jug
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A full figured English majolica Toby jug, showing a gentleman in 19th century dress, holding a mug of ale in his hand. He wears a tri-cornered hat, vest and britches, and a long over...
Earthenware
Sold
H 8 in Dm 5.5 in
19th Century English Majolica Glazed Figural Jug, Hunter with a Hare in a Basket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica glazed character jug showing a hunter holding a gray hare in a basket. The hunter wears a tri-cornered hat festooned with ivy. His rustic clothing is of the perio...
Earthenware