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.
Vintage Boho British Colonial Faux Bamboo & Rattan Weave Wall Mirror With Shelf
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Vintage faux bamboo wall mirror featuring a woven rattan panel surround and integrated shelf, showcasing classic boho and coastal influences. The scorched bamboo-style frame adds war...
Rattan, Mirror, Wood
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
British Colonial Tradewinds Rattan & Copper Grandfathers Clock Bonnet Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial tradewinds Rattan & copper Grandfathers clock Bonnet mirror Modeled after the bonnet of a tall case clock, with turned hardwood finials, applied engraved copper fretwork...
Copper
Vintage Cane Wrapped Frame Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage wall mirror is a masterclass in coastal sophistication, featuring a wide frame masterfully wrapped in natural woven cane. The intricate canework provides a ric...
Rattan, Mirror
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Wall Mirror with Shelf, Circa 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Aesthetic movement bamboo wall mirror with top shelf. Central mirror is flanked by two eglomise panels.
Bamboo
A French rattan mirror, C 1970.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The large rectangular frame has cut corners and leaf designs inset in all 4 sides. This natural and neutral mirror will work in and enhance a variety of interiors, but especially in ...
Rattan, Mirror
$2,309
H 23.63 in W 16.34 in D 1.78 in
Spanish Colonial Oval Mirror in Carved Wood with Copper Metal Flowers
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand carved pine wood oval wall mirror with copper flower details, Spain, 1940s. This wall mirror features a wooden scalloped frame surrounding a central oval glass with a twisted co...
Metal, Copper
Italian Rattan Mirror
By Bonacina
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1950's Italian bamboo mirror in oval shape with brass accents.
Rattan, Mirror
Vintage French Mirror with Gold Frame
Located in Miami, FL
The mirror is wonderfully stained and the frame has been restored at some point, but this is historical as shown in the photos. I will add boards on the back for safe transport along...
Giltwood
$606 / item
H 19.69 in W 16.54 in D 0.99 in
Herringbone Patterned Rattan Cane Wall Mirror Vintage Style
Located in Oxford, GB
Expertly handcrafted with a herringbone patterned rattan cane design, our Vintage Style Rattan Cane Wall Mirror is a true work of art. Bring a touch of sophistication and timeless ch...
Rattan, Glass
Vintage Mirror with Carved Giltwood Frame
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a simple, but elegant, vintage rectangular mirror with a plate surrounded by a water gilded frame artistically depicting carved cascading foliage
Wood
Vintage Faux Gilt Plastic Framed Mirror
By Syroco
Located in Denton, TX
Nice beveled mirror with Syroco style plastic frame in the style of Louis xv. The frame is molded plastic with a faux gold finish with wear that reveals the red primer that is used i...
Glass, Plastic
Vintage Gilt Faux Bamboo Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Gilt octagon Faux bamboo mirror. Measures 13.25" high x 13.25" wide x 1" deep. Two hooks on back for hanging two ways. Good overall condition, few rubs to finish from age and use as ...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Wood-Framed Vintage Wall Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large vintage wall mirror has a uniquely-sculpted wooden frame that can add a Mid-Century Modern touch to any space. Please confirm item locat...
Mirror, Wood
$600
H 29.75 in W 16 in D 6 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Burnt Bamboo Starburst Wall Mirror with Shelf - 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A Hollywood Regency burnt bamboo wall mirror with a shelf. This piece was created in Hong Kong. It features a rectangular mirror that is flanked on both sides with scrolled or bent b...
Metal
$2,309
H 22.64 in W 15.56 in D 1.58 in
Spanish Colonial Scalloped Mirror in Carved Wood with Copper Metal Leaves
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand carved pine wood wall mirror with copper metal leaf details, Spain, 1940s. This wall mirror features a wooden scalloped frame surrounding a central oval glass with a twisted cop...
Metal, Copper
Sold
H 40.5 in W 40.5 in D 3 in
Tropical Regency Mosaic Mirror With Hand-Painted Jungle Motif With Rattan Trim
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
This tropical mirror has been thoughtfully reimagined and restored to preserve its exuberant jungle character while reinforcing its longevity and struc...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Wall Mirror
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful British colonial style wall mirror framed in faux bamboo and cane. Great mirror that could be used in a variety of applications and alongside various interior decor styles
Faux Bamboo, Cane
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Wall Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style wall mirror having a rectangular frame crafted in faux burnt bamboo with brass caps, a chippendale style crest, and grasscloth panels around an oval beveled lo...
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
Large British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Wall Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large and impressive mid century British colonial style wall mirror with faux bamboo having a faux tortoise finish over grasscloth panels around a rectangular beveled mirror.
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass
Pair of Bamboo and Grasscloth Wall Mirrors
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of British colonial style wall mirrors featuring a bamboo frame with campaign style clips on the corners, grasscloth mats, faux tortoise inner frame, and beveled glass ...
Grasscloth, Bamboo
1970s Brighton Style Rattan Mirror
Located in Marietta, GA
Wonderful, rattan mirror in the Brighton style. Nice size, and was custom made, for an American family, living in the Philippines. When they returned ...
Rattan
Bamboo Wall Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large scale mid century wall mirror crafted in bamboo in an ambitious geometric composition with reed wrapped joints.
Bamboo, Reed
British Colonial Style Tole Palm Tree Wall Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Italian tole or painted metal wall mirror with a dramatic composition having two palm trees joined by an arched top.
Metal
Mid-Century Bamboo Sun Ray Wall Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Colonial style wall mirror with bamboo sun rays affixed with wrapped reed emanating around a circular looking glass.
Bamboo
Pair of British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Wall Mirrors
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury pair of wall mirrors with a rectangular burnt bamboo frame around an oval mirror framed in bent burnt bamboo with inside panels of black painted grasscloth.
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Mirror
Pair of British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Wall Mirrors
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury pair of wall mirrors with a rectangular burnt bamboo frame around an oval mirror framed in bent burnt bamboo with inside panels of black painted grasscloth.
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Mirror
Large British Colonial Faux Zebra Wall Mirror
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Wall mirror featuring nickel plated metal, faux zebra cowhide, mahogany inner frame and a thick beveled glass mirror. Signed Ralph Lauren on the back.
Cowhide