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.
Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in the garden, on a porch or patio. The rustic antique teakwood bench...
Teak
Carolina Bamboo & Cane Bench
Located in Bellport, NY
The Carolina Bench beautifully hand crafted in Spain of bamboo and cane. The seat is covered in a sunbrella natural tone fabric. The bottom level is gre...
Linen, Bamboo, Cane
English Country Fruitwood Bench
Located in Queens, NY
English Country (19th Century) fruitwood bench.
Fruitwood
19th Century Tufted Leather Foot Stool or Bench, with Raising Capabilities
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a fine, 19th century, brown leather, button tufted foot stool with mahogany frame and brass tacks over turned legs and brass wheels. Having t...
Mahogany
British Colonial Art Deco Teak Bench or Sofa
Located in Vienna, AT
Unique original Colonial Art Deco teak bench/sofa made in Myanmar around 1930. The bench stands on six feet with brass sleeves that have a wonderful original...
Brass
$11,139
H 34.65 in W 85.04 in D 30.32 in
Large Restored Hand Dyed Chesterfield Brown Leather Sofa Large Bench Piece
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England large fully restored Chesterfield brown leather bench This piece is exquisite, fully restored, made in England ...
Leather
Wonderful Transitional Chrome Velvet Stool Nickel Bamboo Jansen Bench
Located in Roslyn, NY
Perfect seating for the transitional or Classic rooms, this chrome / nickel stool with purple velvet fabric top done in bamboo chinoiserie design are so versatile that can be used in...
Nickel
$4,900 / item
H 19 in W 80 in D 15 in
Walnut and Corian Gallery Bench Mid-Century Modern inspired Minimal Handmade
By Maarten van Severen, George Nakashima, Le Corbusier, Figure Ground
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This bench is composed of a Corian top floating on an elegantly detailed walnut frame. It is large enough for one's imagination or a group conversation. Spanning 7' long, it commands environments while subtly disappearing like its double miter joints that waterfall into the walnut grain. The bench is sawn from long hand-selected boards, carefully milled with a miter joint detail that cascades or 'waterfalls' a continuous grain from the seat down through the legs. To further accentuate the bench's slender span, we chose a double miter cut on the edge profile that almost makes the Bench's thickness at first glance disappear. The white-to-walnut bench refines the moment of repose. Its minimalism is as seductive as its touch to the senses. This bench is versatile and can just as easily define a vestibule or gallery window as it will sit aside a matching dining table. Finished in Tung oil it maintains a natural look and feel for the locally sourced black walnut. This item is available in custom sizes or finishes upon request. Due to natural materials used, the object received will be unique in material figuring and coloration. No item assembly or installation is necessary. Care for the object is minimal and can be conditioned every 2 years to maintain the original finish. All of our pieces are originally designed and handmade in the Brooklyn, NY based Figure+Ground studio; we don't believe in the separation of design and fabrication. Each item is handcrafted, serialized, and shipped with a “Certificate of Authenticity”, documenting its place in history. Own an original Figure+Ground Piece...
Oak, Walnut
$3,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 50.4 in W 64.97 in D 29.14 in
Early 20th Century Spanish Polychromed Hand Carved Oak Settee or Park Bench
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Spanish bench made from oak. The back is exquisitely hand carved with two differents motifs, surrounded by decorative ca...
Oak
Antique Cast Stone Bench on Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast stone garden bench. Slight curve seat sits on two pedestals with carvings. Beautiful aged patina adding elegance to any garden space or e...
Cast Stone
Italian Neoclassical Velvet Bench, Fruitwood, Circa 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Neoclassical style narrow bench with cut blue velvet fabric.
Velvet, Fruitwood
$3,000 / set
H 18.25 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
American Designer, Mid-Century Modern Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Walnut, Bouclé
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern American Designer Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Footstools Walnut, Bouclé Pair of Mid-Century stools or ottomans by an unknown American designer having organic curve...
Textile, Wood
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Pine Provincial Sofa Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Gustavian provincial sofa crafted in pine, showcasing its original scraped paint. This sofa, dating back to the early 19th century, around 1800 to 1810, exemplifies ...
Pine
$12,600 / item
H 23 in W 105 in D 31 in
Custom 1960s Italian Style Velvet Sofa or Bench with Brass Base by Adesso Import
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom 1960s Italian style sofa or bench with handmade brass base upholstered in light pink velvet. Made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Can be done in different colors, fabrics an...
Brass
$10,443
H 35.83 in W 59.65 in D 22.25 in
Restored Antique Victorian 1870 Coalbrookdale Nasturtium Pattern Garden Bench
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this beautiful Coalbrookdale Nasturtium pattern cast iron garden seat or bench dating to circa 1870. The ...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Gajanan Upadhyay, Sofa, Rattan, Teak, Velvet, NID, India, c. 1964
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rare and possibly unique sofa. Produced for the Ford Foundation, New Dehli, India. Design is attributed to Gajanan Upadhyay (1934-2021), kno...
Velvet, Rattan, Teak
Pair Antique Footstools or Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair antique footstools or benches on casters with floral upholstery. Good condition overall with slight finish loss due to age and use. Can be...
Hardwood
Sold
H 15 in W 37 in D 19 in
Turned Leg Wooden Bench Covered with Antique Belochistan Oriental Prayer Rug
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome turned wooden bench is covered with a striking handwoven Balochistan prayer rug. Featuring a geometric pattern in lovely colors, this piece could double as a coffee tab...
Fabric, Wool, Hardwood
Sold
H 19.75 in W 34.75 in D 15.25 in
Antique English Barley Twist Bench Carved Oak Cane Seat Duet Size Dining Bench
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Barley Twist Bench Carved Oak Cane Seat Duet Size Dining Bench. Direct from England, a long (almost 3 ft.) and lovely antique English oak bench with beautiful featur...
Cane, Oak
Sold
H 33 in W 42 in D 24 in
Pierce Martin British Colonial Mahogany Caned Plantation Bench Seat Settee 42"
By Pierce Martin
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Pierce Martin British Colonial Regency Plantation bench. Made of mahogany featuring caned seat with piereced spindel and floral medallion back s...
Cane, Mahogany
1970s Brighton Style Rattan & Cane Bench
Located in Marietta, GA
Unusual, 1970s rattan bench, in the Brighton style. Very well made, sturdy and stylish. Custom made in the Philippines, for an American family living th...
Cane, Rattan
Sold
H 29 in W 52 in D 23 in
Pair White Distressed Painted Plantation Style Teak Leather Cane Window Benches
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of distressed painted cane plantation style benches with leather seats. The benches have shown with minor distressed areas but could always be repainted. The...
Leather, Cane, Teak
Antique Wooden Long Bench / Blanket Chest British Colonial Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Interior designers know how hard it is to find long benches or attractive blanket / storage chests - and this amazing antique piece fits the bill for both needs. At a huge 72" le...
Wood
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Loveseat or Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century faux bamboo loveseat or settee featuring two wicker paneled backs, bentwood arms, caned seat under an eccentric cushion, and eight legs with cross stretchers.
Faux Bamboo
19th Century British Colonial Hardwood Low Table or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental 19th century low display table, console table, or bench measuring over 10 feet long. British Colonial handcrafted from hardwood including ...
Hardwood
British Colonial Style Pine Daybed or Deep Bench
Located in Houston, TX
British Colonial style daybed or deep bench in pine. Daybed or bench, with deep seat, hand-carved in pine circa 1940-1970 in India. Seat planks reused from ...
Down, Linen, Pine
Sold
H 14.5 in W 72 in D 22 in
Archive Home for Century Linen Bench with Turned, Tapering Feet on Brass Casters
Located in Miami, FL
Offered for sale is an Archive Home for Century Furniture Co. long, linen upholstered bench with nail heads and turned, tapering feet on brass casters.
Brass
Sold
H 16 in W 36 in D 23.75 in
Vintage British Colonial Teak & Woven Rattan Plantation Coffee Table Bench Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
British colonial style coffee table. Made during second half of the 20th century. Features a teak frame with woven rattan top. The table is supported by reeded legs leading to an arr...
Rattan, Teak
Antique Wooden Bench
Located in Praha, CZ
The bench is hand carved, in good condition, without damage. Probably a replica from the early 20th century.
Wood