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.
19th Century British Ceylonese Handblown Etched ‘Glow Lamp’ Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century British Ceylonese handblown etched ‘Glow Lamp’ bell jar lantern. These lanterns were handblown in Sri Lanka for the British expats. They were re...
Brass
19th Century British Ceylonese Handblown Etched ‘Glow Lamp’ Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century British Ceylonese handblown etched ‘Glow Lamp’ bell jar lantern. These lanterns were handblown in Sri Lanka for the British expats. They were re...
Brass
$9,895Sale Price / set|46% Off
Pair of English 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze Brig - Tall Ship Marine Lanterns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of English 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze 'Brig - Tall-Ship' Marine Lanterns with Putti Corner Caryatids. The single-light tapered square cast-bronze body surmounted with alleg...
Bronze
El Nido English Ships Wrought Iron Wall Bracket Lantern
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This wrought iron lantern was inspired by a Spanish Colonial house in Santa Barbara. It is also in the style of ships lanterns on the 19th century. The ...
Wrought Iron
![HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/upload/1121189/f_85148731505466845290/8514873_master.jpg?width=240)
![HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/upload/f_28963/1505417055592/914_LANTERNS4_master.jpg?width=240)
$2,860 / set
HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]
Located in Hawthorne, CA
A pair of wooden hand-carved chandeliers for an eclectic decor. These pieces are perfect for an island or coastal setting. Of the 19th C. wired to modern standards, origin England 19...
Rosewood
American Country Iron and Glass Ship's Lantern
Located in Queens, NY
American Country style (19th Century) iron and glass half round ships embarkment lantern with scroll handle.
Glass
19th Century Anglo-Indian Amber Pumpkin Shape Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Anglo-Indian amber pumpkin shape bell jar lantern.
Etched Glass Leaves Flowers Bell Jar Lantern Brass Light Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Etched Glass With Leaves & Flowers Bell Jar Lantern Fixture With Brass Hardware Each Light Fixture Has A 4 Candelabra Socket Cluster
Brass
Hand Carved Wooden and Yellow Glass One-Light Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This exquisite, hand-carved wooden lantern features yellow glass and originates from Belgium, circa the 1960s. Its masterful details include intricately carved acanthus leaves and fo...
Brass
Wonderful Val Saint Lambert Petite Etched Glass Brass Bell Jar Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Val Saint Lambert Petite Etched Blown Glass With Brass Hardware Bell Jar Lantern Fixture With 4 Candelabra Lights.
Brass
$3,650 / set
H 21 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Wonderful Pair Chinoiserie Gold Gilt Pagoda Lantern Bell Chandeliers Fixtures
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Chinoiserie Gold Gilt Pagoda lantern chandeliers With 3 Candelabra Lights Completely Rewired With Bells On Each Corner, These Fixtures...
Glass
19th C English Oversized Etched Glass Lantern Shade
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890 19th C English oversized 8 sided coloured etched glass lantern shade Provenance: Lord Montague - Beaulieu Estate Hampshire sku 925 ...
Brass, Bronze
$4,479 / set
H 27.5 in Dm 12 in
Pair Scandinavian Art Deco Theater Pendants Brass Hand-blown Opaline, 1920-1930
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of wonderful and rare ball pendants from the transition period from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, Scandinavia, 1920-1930. Hand-blown opaline glas sphere globes with beautifuly elab...
Brass, Chrome
Iron Ship's Lantern
Located in Norwell, MA
Iron ship's lantern by Davey of London. With maker's badge that reads "Davey's Patent Windproof Ship Lamp". Fresnel lens. Sturdy cage. Hoisti...
19th Century French Bronze and Etched Frosted Glass Hall Lantern
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Late 19th/Early 20th Century French Bronze and Etched Frosted Glass Hall Lantern Of ovoid shape with four sunburst etched glass panels, b...
Bronze, Ormolu
Large Late 20th Century Lantern
Located in Bagshot, GB
A large American late 20th Century Brass and glass square panelled lantern holding tweleve light fittings will certainly not be missed when you make...
Brass
Wonderful Brass Etched Greek Key Blown Glass Bell Jar Lantern Light Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Brass & Etched Greek Key Glass Bell Jar Lantern Light Fixture Come With 4 Candelabra Sockets.
Brass
Bell Jar Lantern w/ Brass Details
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely lantern made with an antique blown glass bell jar and smoke bell. The brass details- decorative etched rim, chain, stem, finial, and candle covers make a refined and cohesiv...
Brass
Mercury Glass Bell Jar Hurricane Lantern
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of mercury glass bell jar pendant, with embossed brass details. Made to order. Sold individually. Antique silver finish on glass may present variat...
Silver, Brass
Sold
H 20 in W 10 in D 10 in
Charles Edwards Custom French Lantern Pendant Fixture, Mahogany & Nickel, UK
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charles Edwards Custom French Lantern Pendant fixture, Mahogany & Nickel, UK. This Charles Edwards Custom French lantern ceiling light fixture is finished with a scalloped polished n...
Bronze
Petite Classic Bell Jar Lantern w/ Acanthus Leaves Trim
Located in San Francisco, CA
A traditional style bell jar light fixture with a glass smoke cap and brass parts toned in bronze and gold. The rim is pressed with an acanthus ...
Brass
Pair of Smoke Bell Light Fixtures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique pair of English bell jar pendant light fixtures or lanterns with classic form, smoke bell, brass hardware with adjustable stem and a hand blown glas...
Brass
19th Century English Tole Lantern Sconce
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 19th century English wall mount tole lantern with glass sides, a removable glass roof, and a door on one side. The lantern has been recently electrified with two candles a...
Tôle
Pair of Smoke Bell Light Fixtures, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique pair of English bell jar pendant light fixtures or lanterns with classic form, smoke bell, brass hardware with adjustable stem and a hand blown glas...
Brass
Colonial Style Eight-Sided Lantern
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous, three-light, colonial style lantern of the mid-20th century. Eight-sided with fluted cap and corners and lovely acorn details. Glass encased. Newly wired. Measures: 24" H x...
Metal
Lantern English Glass 19th Century Metal England
Located in New York, NY
Lantern English Glass 19th Century Metal England. A glass lantern made during the 19th century for the English colonial houses in India. We have a collecti...
Glass
Pair of Ralph Lauren Hurricane Candleholders
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Ralph Lauren hurricane candleholders made on a bold scale. Perfectly proportioned with a strong Anglo Indian vibe. The richly plated...
Indian Glass Hanging Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
This British Colonial-inspired reproduction lamp has brightly polished metal mounts. The green glass is formed in the traditional melon (also referred to as 'pumpkin') shape and woul...
Tin