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
Collection of 24 Antique British Horn Beakers, Including Silver-Mounted
Located in Atlanta, GA
An assembled collection of twenty-four horn drinking beakers, mostly British, predominantly nineteenth century, with possible early twentieth-century examples. The group comprises te...
Silver Plate, 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
$5,975 / set
H 4 in W 9.75 in D 5.38 in
Pair of Signed Sterling Silver Peacock Dishes from Gorham, Circa 1920
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1920's pair of wonderfully artistic sterling silver bon bon dishes in the form of peacocks, signed Gorham. The elegant birds stand proudly with their trailing plumage forming ...
Sterling Silver
Gorham 1917 Smoking Wood and Sterling Silver Tray
By Gorham
Located in New York, NY
Rare Gorham, sterling silver and oak wood tray from 1917 with an ornate border with hand motifs in relief standing on 4 balled feet. It measures 13 1/4'' in diameter by 1 1/4'' in height and bears hallmarks as shown. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing–approximately 1850 to 1940–Gorham was one of the most influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services...
Silver, 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
19th Century Victorian Sterling Silver Travelling Collapsible Beaker
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver collapsible beaker - boxed; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This impressive antique Victorian sterling silver travelling collapsible beaker has a circular tapering form. The surface of the beaker is plain and unembellished, apart from the hallmarks to each concentric section. The interior of the beaker retains the original gilt interior. This antique beaker...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Pair of Serving Dishes - A Pair
Located in Huntington, NY
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Serving Dishes Classic pair of Tiffany and Company, Sterling Silver serving dishes without monograms in exceptional condition.
Sterling Silver
$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1 in Dm 3.38 in
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
Antique Set of 24 Sheffield Sterling Silver Forks and Knives
Located in Toronto, ON
A beautiful set of 24 Sheffield forks and knives with electroplated nickel silver blades/tines, and hallmarked sterling silver handles. Each upper is h...
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Pair of Antique Gorham Sterling Silver Column Candlesticks
By Gorham
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Column Candlesticks, Providence, Rhode Island, C. 1912. Doric column shaped with simple floral roset...
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
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
$365
H 2.5 in Dm 6.38 in
Two Mid-Century Sterling Silver Clear & Glass Nut/Candy Dishes By Wallace/Rogers
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered are two mid-century sterling silver and clear glass immaculate nut or candy dishes; the larger is 6 3/8" in diameter; the other is 5 3/8" diameter. The first one is by Wall...
Sterling 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