British Colonial Benches
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.
Early 20th Century Central American British Colonial Benches
Teak
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Benches
Upholstery, Rattan, Paint
1930s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Benches
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Benches
Linen, Bamboo, Cane
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Benches
Pine
1860s British Antique British Colonial Benches
Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Benches
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century French Antique British Colonial Benches
Pine
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Benches
Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique British Colonial Benches
Fabric, Rattan
20th Century American British Colonial Benches
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Danish British Colonial Benches
Leather, Teak
19th Century French Antique British Colonial Benches
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American British Colonial Benches
Chrome
Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Benches
Fabric, Walnut
18th Century British Antique British Colonial Benches
Oak
Early 20th Century European British Colonial Benches
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique British Colonial Benches
Pine
Late 20th Century British Colonial Benches
Cane, Mahogany
1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Benches
Cane, Rattan
1950s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Benches
Leather, Cane, Teak
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Benches
Wood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Benches
Faux Bamboo
19th Century Antique British Colonial Benches
Hardwood
1950s Indian Vintage British Colonial Benches
Down, Linen, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Benches
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Benches
Rattan, Teak
Late 20th Century English British Colonial Benches
Wood
Late 20th Century British Colonial Benches
Mahogany, Upholstery
1930s Thai Vintage British Colonial Benches
Teak