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British Colonial Pillows and Throws

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
Lee Radziwill Inspired Block Print Down Flower Motif Pillow in Yellow, India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a taste of the Orient to any space with one of our custom-created square Indian block print down filled pillows. Each pillow is made of soft cotton and...
Category

2010s Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Down

Lee Radziwill Inspired Block Print Down Pink Lotus Flower Motif Pillow, India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a taste of the orient to any space with one of our custom-created Indian block print pillows. Each pillow is made of soft cotton and h...
Category

2010s Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Down

Pair Safari Style Tapestry Pillows Elephant Camel
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cute pair of tapestry woven pillows Safari style with elephant and camel figures. Velvet back, zip closure. Great condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Textile

Pair of Woven Reed Pillows
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of pillows handcrafted in woven reed in a herringbone pattern with discrete side zippers. Exclusively designed and offered by F. S. Henemader antiques ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Reed

Lee Radziwill Inspired Block Print Down Flower Motif Pillow in Pink, India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a taste of the orient to any space with one of our custom-created Indian block print pillows. Each pillow is made of soft cotton and h...
Category

2010s Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Down

Pair of Jim Thompson British Colonial Style Silk Pillows with Elephants
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Delightful pair of silk throw pillows with elephants carrying gifts in a floral border signed Jim Thompson. Priced Individually
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Silk

Lee Radziwill Inspired Block Print Down Flower Motif Pillow in Yellow, India
By Renzo Mongiardino
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a taste of the Orient to any space with one of our custom-created Indian block print lumbar pillows. Each pillow is made of soft cotton and hand block printed by our artisans i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Down

Pair of Canvas Flamingo Throw Pillows, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style pair of canvas throw pillows with flamingos over antique style maps of the Caribbean. Priced Individually
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

*Two British Colonial Style Zebra Print Pillows, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enticing pillows crafted in cowhide with printed zebra stripes each with its own form and organic patterns. Priced Individually. From left to right: H: 13 ...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cowhide

Traditional Turkish Oushak Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Turkish Oushak rug. 19'' x 20''
Category

20th Century British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

Traditional Turkish Oushak Pillow
Traditional Turkish Oushak Pillow
$159 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Apple Green Unusual Velvet Pillows
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
These cushions were made by a famous Swiss workshop (whose name I don't remember), with a beautiful green velvet. Size are cm. 40 x 40 (padding) with a 12 cm. band all around.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Velvet

Related Items
Schumacher Pica Bella Block Print Pillow
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Pica Bella Block Print Tape with a knife edge finish. An intentionally naive design, this sweet little floral tape is hand blocked to accentuate its charm. Body ...
Category

2010s North American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

Schumacher Aditi Block Print Pillow
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Aditi Block Print with a self welt finish. Petite bunches of stylized flowers are meticulously block printed by hand on a soft linen ground, giving each bouquet ...
Category

2010s North American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

Schumacher Aditi Block Print Pillow
Schumacher Aditi Block Print Pillow
$233
H 12 in W 16 in D 5 in
Pair of Italian Cut Silk Velvet Pillows
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian cut silk velvet pillows with floral basket motif. The pillows are backed in silk velvet and have silk tassel trim.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Velvet

Pair of Italian Cut Silk Velvet Pillows
Pair of Italian Cut Silk Velvet Pillows
$1,950 / set
H 23 in W 23 in D 5 in
Visalia Block Printed Linen Pillow with Down Feather Insert
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Our latest collection of beautiful hand blocked and linen pillows can be arranged to create beauty and bring a pop of color to your room while adding softness! This item is made to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen, Down

Visalia Block Printed Linen Pillow with Down Feather Insert
Visalia Block Printed Linen Pillow with Down Feather Insert
$183 Sale Price
20% Off
H 22 in W 22 in D 4 in
Vintage Fortuny Silk fabric pillows with tassels, a pair
Located in Wichita, KS
Silk Fortuny fabric pillows with beautiful onion trim, a pair. The pillows are 30/70 down filled. To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha Design, scroll down and click on V...
Category

20th Century Unknown British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Silk, Down

Pair of Silk Pillows w/ Fortuny Band
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are luxurious silk pillows featuring a Fortuny stripe design. The base fabric is a rich, warm, muted copper silk with a slight sheen, giving it an elegant and sophisticated app...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton, Silk

Pair of Silk Pillows w/ Fortuny Band
Pair of Silk Pillows w/ Fortuny Band
$250
H 9 in W 14 in D 3 in
Visalia Block Printed Lumbar Pillow with Down Feather Insert
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Our latest collection of beautiful hand blocked and linen pillows can be arranged to create beauty and bring a pop of color to your room while adding softness! This item is made to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen, Down

Visalia Block Printed Lumbar Pillow with Down Feather Insert
Visalia Block Printed Lumbar Pillow with Down Feather Insert
$151 Sale Price
20% Off
H 14 in W 22 in D 4 in
Pair of Luigi Bevilacqua Silk Velvet Pillows
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Luigi Bevilacqua silk velvet pillows with silk trim and silk velvet backing in golds and greens. Featuring Janet Yonati silk velvet backing an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Velvet, Silk

Pair of Luigi Bevilacqua Silk Velvet Pillows
Pair of Luigi Bevilacqua Silk Velvet Pillows
$3,250 / set
H 20 in W 24 in D 7 in
Lee Jofa "Pardah" Velvet in Blue 22" Down-Filled Pillows - a Pair
Located in Winder, GA
Stunningly beautiful Belgian cut velvet from esteemed Lee Jofa Eric Cohler Design, this Ikat design is rich, intricate, and saturated with colors of...
Category

2010s American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton

BVIZ Antique Tapestry Fragment Pillow
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Recently made toss pillow from an antique tapestry fragment of the Aubusson tradition (Flemish, 17th century) in shades of gold, green, blue, and brown that has been framed with anti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Textile, Tapestry, Wool, Velvet, Feathers

BVIZ Antique Tapestry Fragment Pillow
BVIZ Antique Tapestry Fragment Pillow
$1,600
H 13.5 in W 18.5 in D 5 in
Pair of Pink Silk Embroidered Pillows w/ Tassel Fringe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These embroidered silk pillows exude timeless elegance and sophistication. The front showcases a dusty rose silk fabric adorned with intricate cream embroidery, featuring a graceful ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Silk, Velvet

Tapestry Pillow, Antique Trim
Located in Vista, CA
17th century tapestry fragment depicting a mermaid framed in a cartouche framed with antique silver metallic galon on pale warm taupe velvet. Hand trimmed with vintage metallic silve...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Velvet

Tapestry Pillow, Antique Trim
Tapestry Pillow, Antique Trim
$2,350
H 20.5 in W 17.5 in D 5 in
Previously Available Items
Safari Style Brocade Lumbar Pillow With Tiger
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Small cute lumbar pillow in yellow gold brocade with tiger tapestry and fringes .
Category

1970s Vintage British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Brocade

French Linen Safari Tiger Pillow Feather Down Insert
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Kauffmann fabric linen Safari style pillow with tiger , decorated with fringes. Feather down insert. Three more available upon request.
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

Zebra Hide Throw Pillows, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of throw pillows covered in organic Burchelle zebra hide with one of mother nature's most iconic designs. (Priced individually)
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Zebra Hide

Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of custom made zebra hide pillows with their organic iconic designs. A very rare "matched" pair. Priced Individually. $825.00 Each.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Zebra Hide

Lee Radziwill Inspired Block Print Down Flower Motif Pillow in Yellow, India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a taste of the orient to any space with one of our custom-created Indian block print pillows. Each pillow is made of soft cotton and h...
Category

2010s Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Down

Lee Radziwill Inspired Block Print Down Filled Flower Motif Pillow, India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a taste of the orient to any space with one of our custom-created Indian block print pillows. Each pillow is made of soft cotton and h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Metal

Authentic Vintage Zebra Hide Pillow
Located in Wichita, KS
Authentic vintage Zebra pillow - fur on both sides. a wonderful piece to add texture and dimension to any seat.
Category

Mid-20th Century South African British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Animal Skin

Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillow
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical linen pillow hand decorated with a tiger and a bird under a palm tree. Button back for easy care.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillow
Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillow
H 12 in W 12 in D 5 in
Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillows, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical linen pillows hand decorated with a tiger and a bird under a palm tree. Button back for easy care. Priced individually.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of zebra hide pillows with linen backs and discreet zippers in a seam. Priced individually.
Category

20th Century South African British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Zebra Hide

Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows
Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows
H 20 in W 20 in D 6 in
Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of zebra hide pillows with linen backs and discreet zippers in a seam. Priced individually.
Category

20th Century South African British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Zebra Hide

Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows
Pair of Zebra Hide Pillows
H 20 in W 20 in D 6 in
Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillows
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical pair of linen pillows hand decorated with a tiger and a bird under a palm tree. Button back for easy care. Priced individually.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian British Colonial Pillows and Throws

Materials

Linen

Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillows
Tropical Crewelwork Tiger Pillows
H 12 in W 12 in D 5 in

British Colonial pillows and throws for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial pillows and throws for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage pillows and throws created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, cotton and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial pillows and throws made in a specific country, there are Asia, India, and South Asia 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 pillows and throws differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $159 and tops out at $595 while the average work can sell for $350.

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