British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
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
Dunhill Cigar Ashtray Catchall England Black and Red Collectible 1970
By Dunhill
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Vintage Dunhill ceramic square collectible ashtray catchall by Wade England Royal red and black.
Vintage Alfred Dunhill collectible porcelain cigar ...
Category
Late 20th Century English British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books, 2000 Books in Brown And Red Available
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large collection of Scandinavian decorative antique library leather-bound books
Please note that the pictures listed are a sample of the books available and not the exact 50 books available. We will send pictures of the actual books before shipping them out.
An attractive collection of 2000 mid-size antique leather-bound books. This lot of books on literature from Sweden are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of varying rich, warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The books seated side-by-side measures 2,5 meters, approximate 8´2 foot run. This collection of antique Swedish books are ready to ship and take their place, handsomely adorning your bookcase or library shelves...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Brass Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brass banana tree or palm tree sculpture with a custom burnished bronze like finish, removable leaves, a weighted base decorated with floral designs,...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Copper Brass Nautical Maritime Gimbal Compass Binnacle Ship Oil Lamp 14
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English nautical / maritime ship / Yacht / lifeboat binnacle gimbal compass with rare double oil lamps. Copper and brass body with double oil ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
English Pond Boat on Stand with Original Sails Brass Rudder Zinc Keel C. 1940
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this hand made wooden pond boat with original cloth sails dates from the 1940s. This is a single mast sailboat - we believe it is a sloop - and features a bow sprit...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Zinc
English Country Brown Leather Horse Saddle
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style brown and black leather riding saddle with a sheepskin blanket.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
1 Large Mounted Sable Antelope Skull with Large Curved Ringed Horns / Antlers
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent, stunning African sable antelope with large curved ringed horns or antlers mounted on a wrought iron stand. The piece is mounted as a scul...
Category
20th Century African British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Handsome Military Snare Drum from Sevenoaks Air Training Corps
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Handsome military snare drum from sevenoaks air training corps.
This a good decorative piece ‘2158 SEVENOAKS SQDn’ AIR TRAINING CORPS’ painted on the f...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Collection of 47 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 47 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books.
The books are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of a selection of warm tones and gold leaf print ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Vintage Campaign Anglo Indian Wicker Pith Helmet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting British Colonial Anglo Indian pith helmet or hat ambitiously handcrafted in woven reed or wicker in classic form with metal breather holes and plenty of tropical charm. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wicker, Reed
19th Century Anglo-Indian Silver-Inlaid Chess and Backgammon Box
Located in Madrid, ES
A remarkable example of Anglo-Indian craftsmanship from the British Raj era, this 19th-century folding game box serves as both a chess and backgammon board. Finely handcrafted from e...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fruitwood
Collection of 42 Swedish Early 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 47 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books from the from the 1930s-1940s.
The books are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of a selection of w...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Paint
Old Brass British Military Issue Brass Handbell A Great Piece, Second World War
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Old Brass British Military Issue Brass Handbell
A Great Piece, Second World War, dated 1942, marked A.S.1942, and with the broad arrow insignia denotin...
Category
1940s Vintage British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
English Folding Ships Ladders
Located in Faversham, GB
A superb high quality folding ships ladder in mahogany with a beautiful rich red colour and patina.
The ladder is complemented with nickle plated brass hi...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century Wooden Ship Wheel
Located in Queens, NY
Wooden ship wheel with brass trim (19th Cent)
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Model of a Sovereign Carried in Sedan or Litter
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique Chinese sculpture or model depicting a Manchurian sovereign carried on a palanquin by four courtiers all mounted on a wood platform.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
19th C Jamaican Minature Spice Cabinet, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean miniature demipress/spice cabinet was made in Jamaica in the 1830's and is attributed to Ralph Turnbull. This British Colonial piece is c...
Category
19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Coconut, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century Model Field Gun on Carriage, Cast Iron Porch Cannon
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century Model Field gun on carriage, cast iron porch cannon
A good and well made piece, the field gun is made in good detail, this piece has spent m...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Antique English Gaming Wheel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting antique English gaming wheel crafted in pine darkened by aged shellac with leather stopper and decoupaged numbers 1 through 30 and se...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
Impressive Collection of 82 Antique English Bridle Rosettes
Located in Bridgeport, CT
These English equestrian bridle mounts and pins range in various subjects and motifs including dogs, equestrian, floral arrangements, nautical and monarchy. Note: Four are solid bras...
Category
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Royal Standard of the United Kingdom in Giltwood Frame and Under Glass
Located in Morristown, NJ
An antique Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, possibly by Benjamin Edgington, London. The fabric is in a giltwood frame under glass. Each of the four quadrants on the flag represe...
Category
1830s English Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Wood
Collection of 22 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 22 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books.
The books are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of a selection of warm tones and gold leaf print embossing.
The book collection measure horizontally is 80 cm, approximate 31,49 inches wide. This collection of books...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Large Mid 20th Century Teak Ships Wheel A wonderful decorative piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Mid 20th Century Teak Ships Wheel
A wonderful decorative piece, heavy and made in solid teak with Turned spindles radiating out from the centra...
Category
1960s Vintage British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
19th Century British Colonial Wood Counter Game
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Curious mechanical lottery apperatice that has a hardwood spinning canister with pine cap and spout, supported by two turned mahogany posts on a round wood base with ball feet. The p...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
WWw11, Tiny Leather Attaché Case First Aid Medical Equipment
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
WW11, tiny leather attaché case first aid medical equipment
This is a superb piece and is in excellent condition almost unused, the case is mad...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Jockey Scales from Market Rasen Racecourse
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Avery brass height and weight standing jockey scales from Market Rasen Racecourse
This is a very rare set of 19th century Jockey scales, it was made by W & T Avery Birmingham...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Framed 17th Century Map of Cumberland, England by John Speed, 1610
By John Speed
Located in Middleburg, VA
A fascinating and richly detailed antique map of Cumberland County in northwest England, drawn and published by the celebrated English cartographer John Spe...
Category
Early 17th Century English Antique British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Copper, Gold Leaf
Royal Air Force P10 Aircraft Compass No. 10489 T
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Royal Air Force P10 aircraft compass No. 10489 T
The compass has a brass body finished in black, it comes in its battleship grey painted wooden ...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Unique Folk Art Made Metal and Cold-Painted Colonial Canon Model
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Folk Art constructed model canon was made in Canada by a retired millwright in 1984 in the British Colonial style. This model canon loosely resembles...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Traditional Shield Swimming Trophy
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Traditional Shield Swimming Trophy
The is a traditional golden oak shield has a large silver plated mount, in the centre “CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SWIMMING FATHER HUDSON’S SHIELD BOYS”
...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
The Stick has CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. Crest on the Round Head
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. swagger stick.
The stick has CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. crest on the round head
The metal top appears to be a white metal overprinted to look like brass
The sti...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cane
British Colonial collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $255 and tops out at $22,000 while the average work can sell for $898.