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 of Gorham Weighted Sterling Silver Footed Compote Candy Nut Dishes
By Gorham
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of weighted Gorham Sterling silver compotes, candy dishes. Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
$4,475 / set
H 6 in W 4.5 in D 8.25 in
Pair of Sterling Silver Swan Decorative Bowls Signed Gorham Sterling
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful pair of Art Deco Sterling silver swan decorative bowls were executed by the legendary American silver maker, Gorham circa 1920. They feature elegantly streamlined demi...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Salt Pepper Shakers Gorham
By Gorham
Located in New York, NY
A pair of sterling silver salt and pepper shakers from Gorham Silversmiths, circa early-20th century, America. Classic sterling silver shakers with finial top and footed base. Beauti...
Sterling Silver
$3,500 / set
H 11 in W 11.5 in D 3.75 in
NEWPORT - Pair of Sterling Silver Candelabra - Weighted - U.S.A. - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
NEWPORT - Vintage pair of sterling silver candelabra - pattern number 16218 - weighted - classic traditional design - signed on the base - United States - mid 20th century. Good vin...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Weighted Pedestal Compote
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely Sterling Silver compote with a simple and sophisticated edging. The piece is a compliment to any cocktail table or bar... serving nuts to candies or for display of a floati...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Compote Candy Dish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Vintage Sterling Silver Compote/Candy Dish, a timeless piece that adds a touch of elegance to any setting. Crafted with the utmost precision and attention t...
Sterling Silver
Set of 12 Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver Nut Dishes
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 Francis I sterling silver nut dishes. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Quatrefoil well, lobed sides, and scrolled rim. Embossed fruits and leaves. Nice pieces in the...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Sterling Silver Sixty-Two Piece Flatware Service
By Gorham
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorham Sterling Silver Sixty-Two Piece Flatware Service. Marked, Pat. 1895, Sterling. In the Chantilly pattern. A service for eight, comprising, eight dinner knives, eight Dinner fo...
Silver
Pair of Sterling Silver Compotes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A graceful pair of sterling silver compotes by International Silver in the elegant “Wedgewood” pattern, first introduced in 1924. These refined serving pieces feature the iconic Wedg...
Sterling Silver
Set of Six Sterling Silver Luncheon Forks by Gorham
By Gorham
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of six sterling silver luncheon forks, Buttercup pattern by Gorham, 1900. Late 19th century Gorham mark - lion, anchor, and G. Sterling, "Patent 1900," retailer "Morck & Kirb...
Sterling Silver
A Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
By Gorham CO.
Located in Huntington, NY
A Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Crystal Compote Footed Bowl T. G. Hawkes & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful crystal and sterling silver compote or footed bowl, by T. G. Hawkes & Co., circa early to mid-20th century, USA. Crystal bowl has cut diamond design and serrated edge wit...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Compotes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American craftsmanship at its finest! This pair of compotes made by Black Starr & Frost have scalloped edges both on top and along the base-- giving them a "well finished" look. Rich...
Sterling Silver
Hamilton & Co Colonial Indian Silver Half Pint Tankard Calcutta c1870
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Hamilton & Co Indian silver half pint tankard Date : Hallmarked in Calcutta c1870 for Hamilton & Co Period : British Raj Origin : Calcutta, India Decoration : George IV sty...
Silver
19th Century Colonial Silver Christening Mug by Peter Nicholas Orr
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A British colonial silver christening mug by Peter Nicholas Orr, Madras, India, circa 1860. With an acanthus leaf capped handle, engraved with village life scenes, engraved with init...
Silver
Sold
H 3.5 in W 3.13 in D 2.63 in
Sterling Navette Form Dutch Scene Gilt Interior Tea Caddy British Import Mark
By Samuel Boyce Landeck
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A sterling silver navette form Dutch scene gilt interior tea caddy with British import mark, makers mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck, (Sheffield 1897). Decorated with couples in a t...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5.52 in W 7.88 in D 4.53 in
Sterling Silver Teapot Bhuj, Kutch, India 1870-1890, British Colonial
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This teapot is a particularly fine example of colonial Indian silversmithing. It´s perfectly formed and finely chased with the Islamic-influenced scrolling tendril and flower pattern against a finely tooled background that is typical of Kutch work. This is a very special and unusual teapot...
Sterling Silver
Ten Silver British Plaque Kings
By Historical Materialism
Located in Sofia, BG
Ten unique Jubilee historical sterling silver 925, mid-20th century, each one is different year, everyone is with a different king, British, 925 sterling, weight 66 grams each. Handm...
Silver
Irish Sterling Silver Bowl with Cranes, Mythical Fish and Lion's Head Feet
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Irish Sterling Silver Bowl with Cranes, Mythical Fish & Lion's Head Feet, Scalloped top edge, Hallmarked, Date letter & Maker's Mark. The bowl is Pristine, and has no issues or initi...
Sterling Silver