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British Colonial Folk Art

18 Results
BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE

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.

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Style: British Colonial
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine

Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Enchanting 19th century English sailors valentine handcrafted in exotic seashells, in horse shoe form, lovingly arranged around an image of a steamship under a convex lens.

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Antique Star Form Sailors Valentine
Antique Star Form Sailors Valentine

Antique Star Form Sailors Valentine

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Charming antique sailors valentine handcrafted in exotic seashells in a star form with a rocky coastline image under a convex oval lens.

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Pair of Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine
Pair of Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine

Pair of Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Charming pair of 19th century British colonial sailors valentines handcrafted in exotic seashells around an image of a schooner under glass.

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Antique British Colonial Heart Form Sailors Valentine
Antique British Colonial Heart Form Sailors Valentine

Antique British Colonial Heart Form Sailors Valentine

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Charming 19th Century English heart form sailors valentine ambitiously handcrafted with exotic seashells around a sailboat image as seen through a glass lens.

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Shell

Carved Wood Colorful Life Size Palm Tree Sculpture
Carved Wood Colorful Life Size Palm Tree Sculpture

Carved Wood Colorful Life Size Palm Tree Sculpture

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Extraordinary tall vintage palm tree sculpture handcrafted in wood carved and paint decorated with leaves, coconuts, trunk, and weighted terra firma base.

Category

20th Century Balinese British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Painted Wrought Iron Anchor
Painted Wrought Iron Anchor

Painted Wrought Iron Anchor

Located in Queens, NY

Painted wrought iron anchor

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

English Country Wood & Iron Nautical Mallet

English Country Wood & Iron Nautical Mallet

Located in Queens, NY

2 English Country style wood and iron nautical deck mallet. PRICED EACH (19/20th Cent)

Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Antique British Colonial Star Form Sailors Valentine
Antique British Colonial Star Form Sailors Valentine

Antique British Colonial Star Form Sailors Valentine

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Charming 19th century sailors valentine hand decorated in exotic seashells with an image of sailboats in a bayscape as seen through a glass lens.

Category

19th Century Bermudian Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Vintage Dutch Oil Painting by John Hooley, Watermill Scene, 1960
Vintage Dutch Oil Painting by John Hooley, Watermill Scene, 1960

Vintage Dutch Oil Painting by John Hooley, Watermill Scene, 1960

Located in Worcester Park, GB

This is a vintage oil painting on canvas depicting a serene rural Dutch-style watermill landscape. The composition features a traditional European farmhouse and watermill set beside ...

Category

1960s English Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Hanging Wicker Monkey after Mario Lopez Torres
Hanging Wicker Monkey after Mario Lopez Torres

Hanging Wicker Monkey after Mario Lopez Torres

By Mario Torres

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A small hanging wicker monkey holding a grouping of leaves. This cute brown monkey is created from wicker and features arms and legs which are bent so t...

Category

20th Century American British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Paint

Rustic Country Carved Wooden Yoke
Rustic Country Carved Wooden Yoke

Rustic Country Carved Wooden Yoke

Located in Queens, NY

Rustic Country-style carved wooden yoke mounted as a wall decoration.

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Complete Set of Pink Cloth Napkins and Faux Bamboo Brass Place Setting Set of 4
Complete Set of Pink Cloth Napkins and Faux Bamboo Brass Place Setting Set of 4

Complete Set of Pink Cloth Napkins and Faux Bamboo Brass Place Setting Set of 4

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

Make hosting and entertaining easy, with a vintage British Colonial style place setting. Over a year in the making, we’ve sourced hundreds of table settings from all over the globe and paired our favorites in a set. (See our other listings for more beauties in an array of different colors, styles and place settings from 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16.) This set features a faux bamboo brass charger from India. It does have a slight patina to it, which makes it look even more storied. We’ve had these custom cloth napkins created just for this set. We’ve brought over this fabulous pink block print fabric from India and created 4 16” x 16” cloth dinner napkins...

Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Antique American Country Clothes Iron
Antique American Country Clothes Iron

Antique American Country Clothes Iron

Located in Queens, NY

American Country-style (19th Century) wrought iron clothes iron with wood handle

Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Pair of White Terracotta Lions
Pair of White Terracotta Lions

Pair of White Terracotta Lions

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Whimsical pair of Italian midcentury terracotta male and female lions with a white glaze and painted details. Although hardly ferocious these seated big c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Oil on Canvas The Smoke 0f Battle signed J.C.Ambrose
Oil on Canvas The Smoke 0f Battle signed J.C.Ambrose

Oil on Canvas The Smoke 0f Battle signed J.C.Ambrose

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Oil on Canvas The Smoke 0f Battle signed J.C.Ambrose This is a Large Oil Painting on canvas, it is framed and has a brass plaque with the title of the painting Painted in the 20th C...

Category

1960s Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

Dressed Navy Sculpture, Floor Lamp  A Fibreglass mannequin in 19th Century dress
Dressed Navy Sculpture, Floor Lamp  A Fibreglass mannequin in 19th Century dress

Dressed Navy Sculpture, Floor Lamp A Fibreglass mannequin in 19th Century dress

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Dressed Navy Sculpture, Floor Lamp A Fibreglass mannequin in 19th Century dressed uniform, set on a pipework frame and topped with a hanging brass light, the mannequin is dated 1805...

Category

1960s Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Fiberglass

Very Rare West Riding Constabulary Cast Iron Wall Plaque
Very Rare West Riding Constabulary Cast Iron Wall Plaque

Very Rare West Riding Constabulary Cast Iron Wall Plaque

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Very rare west riding constabulary cast iron wall plaque This branch of the British police force was established in 1825, Yorkshire was divided into ...

Category

1890s Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Related Items
Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Royal Navy Cruiser, Star Form, Circa 1900
Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Royal Navy Cruiser, Star Form, Circa 1900

Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Royal Navy Cruiser, Star Form, Circa 1900

Located in Downingtown, PA

Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Royal Navy Cruiser, Star Form, English, Circa 1900–1910 This shellwork diorama presents a chromolithograph of a Royal Navy cruiser beneath a d...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Shell

British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Three-Masted Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 186
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Three-Masted Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 186

British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Three-Masted Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 186

Located in Downingtown, PA

British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Three-Masted Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 1865-75 This large British sailor’s woolwork depicts a majestic three-masted, square-rigged ship under a...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Sailor's Woolwork Picture, Royal Navy Ship & Flags of All Nations, circa 1875
Sailor's Woolwork Picture, Royal Navy Ship & Flags of All Nations, circa 1875

Sailor's Woolwork Picture, Royal Navy Ship & Flags of All Nations, circa 1875

Located in Downingtown, PA

Sailor's Woolwork Picture, Royal Navy Ship and Flags of All Nations Circa 1875–1890 This elaborate and finely worked woolwork centers on a circular medallion depicting a Royal Navy ...

Category

1870s English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Old English Edwardian Painted Pond Yacht
Old English Edwardian Painted Pond Yacht

Old English Edwardian Painted Pond Yacht

$1,196Sale Price|25% Off

H 32 in W 33 in D 16 in

Old English Edwardian Painted Pond Yacht

Located in North Salem, NY

Lovely old Edwardian painted "scooner" pond yacht / ship from Egland with sail and rigging on stand of later date. Chaming old boat and a perfect unque gift!

Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Early 20Th Century English Maritime Sailors Gambling Game Box  ‘Crown & Anchor'
Early 20Th Century English Maritime Sailors Gambling Game Box  ‘Crown & Anchor'

Early 20Th Century English Maritime Sailors Gambling Game Box ‘Crown & Anchor'

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A early 20th century sailors ditty box, with painted ‘Crown & Anchor’ lid and original dice. C & A was a gambling game, its origins can be traced back to the beginning of the 18th c...

Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Pine

English Sailor's Woolwork of a Battleship with White Ensign
English Sailor's Woolwork of a Battleship with White Ensign

English Sailor's Woolwork of a Battleship with White Ensign

Located in Downingtown, PA

British Sailor's Woolwork Picture of a Royal Navy Ship of the Line English, circa 1865–1875 This accomplished sailor's woolwork — affectionately known among collectors as a "woolie"...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wool

American Cast Iron Sailing Mayflower Doorstop, Circa 1880
American Cast Iron Sailing Mayflower Doorstop, Circa 1880

American Cast Iron Sailing Mayflower Doorstop, Circa 1880

Located in Charleston, SC

American cast iron Mayflower arched doorstop with sailing vessel on rough seas. Signed on lower base, mayflower, 1620. Late 19th Century.

Category

1880s American Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

18th Century, Spanish Conquistador Carved Wood Figure
18th Century, Spanish Conquistador Carved Wood Figure

18th Century, Spanish Conquistador Carved Wood Figure

Located in Houston, TX

18th century Spanish Conquistador carved wood figure. 18th century Carved and painted wood Spanish Conquistador figure or sculpture. This beautif...

Category

18th Century Spanish Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

English Sailor's Woolwork of H.M.S. Aboukir, circa 1860
English Sailor's Woolwork of H.M.S. Aboukir, circa 1860

English Sailor's Woolwork of H.M.S. Aboukir, circa 1860

Located in Savannah, GA

A finely worked sailor's woolwork picture depicting the Royal Navy ship of the line H.M.S. Aboukir under full sail, flying the White Ensign at her stern. The vessel is shown broadsid...

Category

1860s English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Handcrafted Natural Coastal Sea Shell Encrusted Anchor Wall Hanging
Handcrafted Natural Coastal Sea Shell Encrusted Anchor Wall Hanging

Handcrafted Natural Coastal Sea Shell Encrusted Anchor Wall Hanging

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A natural hand-crafted sea shell encrusted anchor wall hanging. Created from wood, this piece is in the shape of a boat anchor, and features applied natural sea shells of all colors....

Category

20th Century American British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Wood

Early 20th Century English Pond Boat with Blue Paint
Early 20th Century English Pond Boat with Blue Paint

Early 20th Century English Pond Boat with Blue Paint

Located in Troy, MI

Found in England, this pond boat dates from the 1920s. This appears to be a model racing cutter with four cloth sails. The boat hull is painted blue and the stained deck looks like t...

Category

1920s English Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

American Folk Art Sea Shell Sailors Valentines
American Folk Art Sea Shell Sailors Valentines

American Folk Art Sea Shell Sailors Valentines

$2,360Sale Price|20% Off

H 3 in W 12 in D 12 in

American Folk Art Sea Shell Sailors Valentines

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Exquisite American folk art sea shells Sailors Valentines octagon with central purple agate , sea shell flowers and a butterfly.

Category

1960s American Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Shell

Previously Available Items
Antique Sailors Valentine Commemorating the Sinking of the Titanic
Antique Sailors Valentine Commemorating the Sinking of the Titanic

Antique Sailors Valentine Commemorating the Sinking of the Titanic

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Rare antique sailors valentine hand crafted in exotic seashells in the form of an anchor with a commemorative image of the RMS Titanic under a convex lens.

Category

20th Century English British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine with Seashells
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine with Seashells

Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine with Seashells

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Transporting 19th century English sailors valentine hand crafted in exotic organic seashells ambitiously arranged around a clipper ship image under a convex lens.

Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Organic Material

English Victorian Brass and Wood Cane
English Victorian Brass and Wood Cane

English Victorian Brass and Wood Cane

Located in Queens, NY

English Victorian wood cane with brass ball top and diamond hole design.

Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Zulu Walking stick
Zulu Walking stick

Zulu Walking stick

Sold

H 35.04 in W 0.79 in D 0.79 in

Zulu Walking stick

By Zulu's

Located in Glasgow, GB

A beautiful example of a Colonial Walking stick by the Zulu people of South Africa . Carved from local wood in the form of a Cricket Ball caught in the hand of the owner. A beautif...

Category

1920s Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Trench Art
Trench Art

Trench Art

Sold

H 2.37 in Dm 3.15 in

Trench Art

By British Colonial

Located in Glasgow, GB

These two fine egg cups are excellent examples of Trench Art from World War 1 . Expertly worked from two smaller shell casings . Crafted from US shell casings by a member of the Brit...

Category

1910s British Vintage British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Walking stick
Walking stick

Walking stick

Sold

H 35.44 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in

Walking stick

By Cleghorn of Edinburgh

Located in Glasgow, GB

This is a very fine example of a late 19th century Briar wood walking stick from an Edinburgh workshop in Scotland . More used as an object of status than a walking stick but except...

Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Bog Wood

Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bookbinding Press Screw Nipping Press
Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bookbinding Press Screw Nipping Press

Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bookbinding Press Screw Nipping Press

Located in Tyler, TX

EXCELLENT Antique Victorian Cast Iron Book Press~~c. 19th century Beautiful decorative Victorian era green book press nipping press 13" tall x...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Two Antique Star Form Sailors Valentines
Two Antique Star Form Sailors Valentines

Two Antique Star Form Sailors Valentines

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Enchanting pair of 19th Century British Colonial sailors valentines handcrafted in exotic seashells ambitiously arranged around a convex lens displaying maritime images of a row boat...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Shell

Vintage  Elephant Weathervane
Vintage  Elephant Weathervane

Vintage Elephant Weathervane

Sold

H 21 in W 26.5 in D 5 in

Vintage Elephant Weathervane

Located in Palm Beach, FL

The African Elephant is a New England Weathervane Shop original. This elephant is a Lee Webber original vane as featured on Channel 5 Boston's Chronicle. Lee Webber is mentioned in s...

Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Brass

1940s  Wood Himachal Pot
1940s  Wood Himachal Pot

1940s Wood Himachal Pot

Sold

H 7.88 in Dm 7.49 in

1940s Wood Himachal Pot

Located in Roma, IT

1940s Wood Himachal Pot This seemingly simple wooden vase is a design object of infinite beauty and elegance that can be placed in either an antique or a modern or contemporary set...

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Very Rare Gigantic Champion Cricket Bat, Trade Sign
Very Rare Gigantic Champion Cricket Bat, Trade Sign

Very Rare Gigantic Champion Cricket Bat, Trade Sign

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Very Rare Gigantic Champion Cricket Bat, Trade Sign This is an unusual piece it is in remarkably good condition, it is made in Ash by the manufacturer to be used as an advertising piece...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Ash

Pair of Italian Tole Flower Garnitures
Pair of Italian Tole Flower Garnitures

Pair of Italian Tole Flower Garnitures

Sold

H 23 in W 16 in D 11 in

Pair of Italian Tole Flower Garnitures

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Rustic pair of Italian Tole or Painted metal lilies in full bloom with leaves and bulbs having acquired a perfect oxidized finish.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

British Colonial folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, paint and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include and John Webber. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $10,800 while the average work can sell for $3,525.