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.
Fine Double "C" Handled Quart Tulip Export Pewter Tankard Townsend & Compton
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine double "C" handled quart tulip export Pewter mug or tankard by Townsend & Compton, circa 1779-1806. Struck with makers (upside down) pseudo hallmarks, left of the handle and l...
Pewter
Royal Albert English Bone China Plater
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage Royal Albert classic English bone china white platter with scalloped edge. No chips, cracks or crazing.
Porcelain
$1,100
H 1.75 in W 15.25 in D 19 in
William Ridgway English Staffordshire Transferware Platter, Flosculous Pattern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A black on white transfer printed floral platter in the Flosculous pattern, William Ridgway & Co., Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire England, circa 1830-1854. A gently scalloped black-printed platter in an unusual borderless pattern. Alternating floral sprays extend outward — from a three part scroll motif in the center — up the well and onto the rim of the plate. The term ‘flosculous’ means having flowerets or composite-flowered. This stylized pattern feels very modern. 19 in. L x 15.25 in. W x 1.75 in H A printed urn...
Earthenware
$109 / item
H 1.19 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Gaetano Pesce Try-Tray Rectangular Small Light Ruby Turquoise
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Try-Tray rectangular - Clear ruby, matt turquoise Tray in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear ruby, matt turquoise Dimensions: 31...
Resin
$2,400 / item
H 1 in W 25.25 in D 16.25 in
Rectangular Tray, Mediterranean Design by Robert Kuo, Handmade Cloisonne
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular tray Mediterranean design Shades of blue Glass enamel Gold plated copper Cloisonné Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. The cloison...
Copper, Enamel
Royal Vienna Wagner Cabinet Plate "Roschen", circa 1890
Located in Sarasota, FL
A Royal Vienna style porcelain cabinet plate titled "Ros'chen", dating from the late 19th century. Very fine and detailed hand enameling and gilding. The plate is signed "Wagner" ove...
Porcelain
$295
H 6 in W 12 in D 9.25 in
Mappin & Webb's Prince's Plate English Sheffield Silver Plated Covered Dish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mappin & Webb's Prince's Plate English Sheffield Silver Plated Covered Serving Dish. Item features an ornate removable handle, oval form, original hallmark. Circa Early 20th ...
Silver Plate
Guerin &Co Limoges France Dessert Service for 10, Bone China
By Limoges
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 10 dessert plates, 10 sauce/fruit bowls, 2 cake plates, compote, and syrup pitcher by Guerin &Co was made of fine, semi-transparent bone china in Limoges, France. The set ...
Porcelain, Ceramic
20th Century, Chinese Porcelain Plates
Located in Miami, FL
20th century, Chinese porcelain plates
Ceramic
Fine French 76-Piece Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set by Ahrenfeldt
By Limoges, Joseph Soret, Charles Ahrenfeldt
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French 76-piece Limoges porcelain dinner set by Ahrenfeldt for Joseph Soret.
Porcelain
$431Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 9.06 in
Chinese Porcelain Plate "Famille Rose" Butterfly Decorations 19th Century China
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This beautiful porcelain plate is produced from the Qing period, called "Famille rose" porcelain. With a white background, it is decorated with polychrome butterflies, plants and flo...
Porcelain
Imari China Porcelain Plate 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful porcelain plate with imari decoration. On this plate, the background is blue and white, with reserves in which we can observe red flowers and bamboo leaves patterns. Imari ...
Porcelain
$1,151 / item
H 0.87 in Dm 15.75 in
New Modern Tray in White Michelangelo Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
An essential, minimalist tray that easily lends itself to multiple uses. At the table, in the kitchen, in the dining room. In simplicity is beauty. Size: 40 x 2.2 cm, smooth finishing, stain treatment compatible with food. Commercial name: Nysiros, Materia e Tavola Collection by Ivan Colominas, Spanish Designer. Also available in Black Marquina Marble. Made in Italy, hand finished. Mmairo loves wining and dining, good food and entertaining...
Marble
Antique English Silver Plated "Shell" Cheese Dish
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English silver-plated "shell" cheese dish.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 4 in W 32 in D 20 in
Maitland Smith Chinoiserie Bamboo & Metal Bentwood Butlers Serving Tray Bar 32"
Located in Dayton, OH
A charming bentwood bamboo serving bar tray by Maitland Smith. Features a sliced twig cross section motif along the surface. A great centerpiece for any table. Dimensions: 20" x 4" ...
Metal
Antique English Ironstone Plater
By Adams & Sons
Located in Malibu, CA
A large, vintage ironstone serving plate, crafted in England by W.M. Adams & Sons, features raised wheat motifs along its edge. No chips.
Ironstone
Maitland Smith Florentine Mosaic Lacquer Round Charger Bowl Platter Tray
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare Maitland Smith over sized round Charger / platter / tray featuring a lacquered floral mosaic pattern in shades of brown and white. Includes support for wall hanging.
Lacquer
Antique English Ceramic Plate
Located in High Point, NC
This ceramic plate was made in England and features a refined floral and foliage, the "Brooklyn" pattern in red along the edge. The mark “D B & Co” at the bottom is accompanied by a ...
Stoneware
Export Pewter Dish and Plate by Townsend & Compton of London, 1784-1802
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A 12 1/8" export Pewter Dish by Townsend & Compton of London, 1784-1802, together with a continental deep plate, possibly 18th century. Townsend & Compton touchmarks and hallmarks...
Pewter
Sold
H 6.25 in Dm 4.63 in
Victorian Quart Taper-Sided Pewter Tankard by Morgan & Gaskell of Birmingham
By Morgan & Gaskell
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Victorian quart taper-sided pewter tankard by Morgan & Gaskell of Birmingham, together with 1/2 pint pewter measure by A. Ramage of Edinburgh. Both second half of the 19th century....
Pewter
1890s Indian Colonial Silver Wine Ewer
By Barton, Son & Co
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, large antique Indian colonial silver wine ewer; part of our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This...
Silver
Antique Collection Of English Transfer Ware Blue Willow Platters
By Allertons, Minton-Spidell
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Collection Of Ten Blue Willow Platters, Entirely English, And Almost All Allertons Pottery From 100Yrs. Ago. Collection Is In Amazing Condition, Very Clean, No Crazing, Very Few Chip...