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.
$2,333 / set
Pair of 19th Century English Bergeres
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century English Bergeres in carved and turned mahogany wood, stuffed in green velvet with casters. Little defects. Dimensions: 80 x 66 x 54 cm. good condition.
Wood
Victorian Military Campaign Folding Faux Bamboo Embroidered Safari Cane Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A delicate slice of Victorian Military Campaign. A folding Chair of Faux Bamboo, with an Embroidered Canvas Seat Rear Finished With Brown Leather Sl...
Brass
$190Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 35 in W 17 in D 19 in
Fab Pair Campaign Bamboo Tortoiseshell Folding Chairs
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pair of vintage campaign bamboo with tortoiseshell finials folding chairs.
Bamboo
$3,909 / set
H 42.52 in W 23.23 in D 29.53 in
Stunning Pair of Victorian Military Campaign Folding Chairs Steamer Liner Pieces
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of Victorian circa 1880 military campaign style folding chairs A very good looking and highly collectable pair of desk steame...
Upholstery, Oak
$4,083 / set
H 36.23 in W 24.41 in D 22.05 in
Pair of Mahogany Bergère Armchairs, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Pair of Mahogany Bergère Armchairs, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century A refined pair of bergère armchairs crafted from solid mahogany, representing fine European cabinetm...
Mahogany
Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair French double cane 19th century. Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Gondola Bergère Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
recant pair of 19th century Louis XVI style Gondola bergères with most original paint. Arched backs with floral carving, serpentine shaped down swept arms, resting on turned fluted ...
Linen, Oak, Paint
$1,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 26.25 in D 27.5 in
19th Century French Bergere Rosewood Arm Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Featured is an exquisite Louis XVI Rosewood Bergère Chair, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and style. This chair is not just a piece of furniture; it's a work of art that will el...
Rosewood
19th Century French Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French bergère exudes classic elegance and comfort, making it a timeless statement piece. The carved wood frame, finished in a distressed pale tone, showcases the g...
Wrought Iron
$2,950 / set
H 38.5 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
Pair of Antique French Bergère Chairs, Upholstered, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
A pair of French Louis XV style bergeres, featuring expertly hand-carved giltwood frames. The frames boast a rich, aged gold leaf finish with wonderful patina. The arched crest rai...
Giltwood
$15,000 / set
H 36 in W 24 in D 28 in
19th Century Pair of French Louis XV Bergère Armchairs in Green Wood
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XV-style (19th Century) green painted and gilt rope carved trimmed bergere Armchairs with Ikat-style blue cut velvet and beige satin upholstery. (PRICED AS Pair)
Wood
Pair of Caned Bergere Chairs by Bernt Peterson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Caned Bergere Chairs by Bernt Peterson Dimensions: 27"w x 25"d x 28"h Designer: Bernt Petersen Material: Elm Frame w/ Woven Cane and Leathe...
Upholstery, Cane, Elm
$9,799 / set
H 32.29 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
Pair of French Mid-Centruy Gilt Iron Faux Bamboo Armchairs Offwhite Linen, 1980s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Pair of French Mid-Centruy Gilt Iron Faux Bamboo Armchairs Beige-Colored Linen, 1980s Light-footed and stylish armchairs in Bamboo design. The sides and backrest are adorned with a...
Iron
$5,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34.5 in W 27 in D 25 in
Pair of Black Lacquered Cane Back Lounge Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of black lacquered cane back lounge chairs. Unique blend of Chinese Chippendale and Louis the XV styles. Masterfully restored in a high glo...
Fabric, Cane, Wood
A Georgian Mahogany Cane Chair
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A classic mahogany & cane back and seat armchair with a wooden frame in excellent condition. The back curves gently upward, forming a cont...
Brass
Pair of Endell Woven Cane Bentwood Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A pair of Endell woven cane bentwood chairs, An attractive pair of woven cane conservatory chairs on a bentwood frame, the chairs are in good use...
Cane
Sold
H 33 in W 21 in D 25.5 in
Fine Pair of 19th Century British Colonial Mahogany Barrel Back Cane Chairs
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
These chairs feature arm rests and back rails designed as continuous elegant curves joining the sabre style front legs by a brass ball. Back, sides and seat are mounted with woven ca...
Brass