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British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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
McGuire Style Laced Leather Rawhide Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Set of four laced leather rattan dining chairs or armchairs made in the manner and style of McGuire. Director's style armchairs featuring woven rawhide seats and backs reinforced wit...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rattan, Wood

Seat of 4 Swedish Circa 1900s Faux Bamboo Beech 'Bodafors' Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
Set of four late Circa 19th century faux bamboo beech dining chairs made for Bodafors with rush mat in the Japanese style to the seats. Wear and tear commensurate with their age and ...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Beech

Set of Six Ralph Lauren Mahogany Rattan Barrel Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of six barrel back form dining chairs or armchairs made in the British colonial style by Ralph Lauren Home. Known as Modern Sands collection chairs they feature a mahogany f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany

Late 20th Century Colonial Regency Style Caned Mahogany Armchairs, Set of 4
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th, stylish and handsome mahogany arm chairs with scrolled backrest and arms, caned seat and back, on reeded legs ending in arrow feet, with metallic silver tone removable sea...
Category

Late 20th Century North American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Antique Oak Wood Bowed Windsor Dining Side Chair by Northwestern Mfg.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Oak Wood Bowed Windsor dining side chair by Northwestern Mfg. Item features black vinyl upholstered seat (originally cane), turn carved legs, ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

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Set of 6 1900s French Bleached Oak Dining Chairs with Upholstered Seat + Back
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Discover rustic elegance with this set of six 1900s French bleached oak dining chairs, a find that exudes timeless charm and a farmhouse allure. Each chair is a testament to enduring...
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20th Century French British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Set of Six McGuire Rattan Caned Toboggan Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic set of six McGuire toboggan dining chairs featuring an midcentury modern barrel back form rattan frame. Model #MCM130C features a caned exterior with optional upholstered back...
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21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Leather, Cane, Rattan

Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...
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1960s French Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Restored Rattan "Slat" Back Dining Side Chair, Set of Six
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage "Slat" back rattan dining room chair featuring 3-strand arched legs with an X crossbar, slat seat back with tropical bark cloth seats. There are six chairs included in this s...
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1950s American Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Vintage set of 6 Tropical Vibe McGuire Rattan & Cane Dining Chairs c. 1970s
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice late 1970s vintage set of 6, California casual designed McGuire San Francisco dining chairs made of bent rattan and caning with loose upholstered seat. Feature a barrel back, X ...
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1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Rattan

Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco Rattan Dining Chairs, a Set of 4
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A beautiful set of four M-74 dining chairs designed by Elinor McGuire for McGuire San Francisco. Chairs have the original finish and feature McGui...
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1970s American Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Rattan

Maitland Smith Chippendale Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Chippendale style dining chairs By Maitland Smith Late 20th Century Solid mahogany frames, with ivory upholstered seats. Measures: Side chairs - 24...
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Late 20th Century British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Solid Wood Windsor Style Dining Chair, Spindle Back Chair by Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, CA
The Vände chair is a contemporary take on the Classic Windsor chair. Hand-turned spindles feature wedged, mortice and tenon joinery for strength and aesthetic appeal. The round se...
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2010s Canadian British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Four McGuire Red Lacquered Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous bespoke set of four lacquered McGuire rattan dining chairs finished in a chic, whimsical, lipstick red color. Special order custom...
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20th Century American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Naugahyde, Bamboo, Rattan

Set of Twelve Baker Regency Style Burl Wood Klismos Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent set of twelve English Regency style klismos armchairs or dining chairs made by Baker Furniture. Featuring handcrafted frames covered with dramatic burlwood veneers. The k...
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20th Century American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Burl

Set Of Six Regency Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine set of diminutive chairs Including one arm and five side chairs. With curved crest rails and horizontal splats, the armchair with scrolled arm ends. Raised on klismos sabre legs...
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Early 20th Century British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

2000s Ralph Lauren Saddle Leather Dining Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, Ralph Lauren saddle leather dining chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding desig...
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Early 2000s American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Previously Available Items
Circa 1830 Set of 8 English Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
circa 1830 set of 8 English country dining chairs, Lancashire. Spindleback side chairs of ash & elm. Rush seats in good condition given age & us...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Circa 1830 Set of 8 English Dining Chairs
Circa 1830 Set of 8 English Dining Chairs
H 38.5 in W 19.5 in D 16.5 in
British Colonial Dining Set Round Table & Four Arm Chairs w/Cane Seat/Back
Located in Atlanta, GA
A British Colonial dining set includes a round wood table with four wood and cane chairs. This vintage set from Singapore features a round-shaped table, just over 5 feet in diameter,...
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Late 20th Century Singaporean British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Set of 6 English Windsor Dining Chairs Includes 2 Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 English windsor dining chairs includes 2 armchairs are a classic design that dates back two centuries, and features a lightweigh...
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Early 20th Century English British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Elm

6 Nichols & Stone American Windsor Faux Bamboo Maple Birdcage Dining Side Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Six gorgeous birdcage Windsor style dining chairs manufactured by the Nichols & Stone Company. The chairs are expertly crafted of light maple with split wedge mortise and tenon joine...
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1990s British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Maple

Set of 8 British Colonial Dining Chairs with Scrolled Arms and Upholstered Seats
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 8 British Colonial Dining Chairs with Scrolled Arms and Upholstered Seats Offered for sale is a set of eight British Colonial dining c...
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Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Fabric, Wood

19th Set off 8 Nottinghamshire Yew Wood Hight Back Windsor Chairs
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
A well matched pair of 19th century yew and elm seated high back windsor chairs this is a quintessential Nottinghamshire design. These models were designed around 1840 and made ar...
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1890s English Antique British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Solid Mango Wood Dining / Kitchen Chairs - Pair A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of British Colonial style dining side chairs, unbranded. Mango wood with solid crest rail, backsplat & seat, turned front legs and curved back legs. Made in the USA, in the mi...
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Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Wood

Solid Mango Wood Dining / Kitchen Chairs - Pair B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of British Colonial style dining side chairs, unbranded. Mango wood with solid crest rail, backsplat & seat, turned front legs and curved back legs. Made in the USA, in the mi...
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British Colonial Style Folding Bamboo and Rattan Wood Safari Chairs, Set of Six
Located in Miami, FL
Set of six vintage bamboo and rattan folding safari chairs with rattan backing and cane seats.
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Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Mid-Century British Colonial Style Bamboo Folding Chairs, Set of Four
Located in Miami, FL
Set of four bamboo folding chairs in the British Colonial Campaign style.
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1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

4 Vintage English Country Lancashire Oak Spindle Back Dining Arm Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of four circa 1980s English Country or Lancashire style arm chairs. Made of oak featuring a spindle back and turned supports.
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1980s Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

Baker Furniture Carved Walnut Upholstered Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six upholstered dining chairs with turned legs By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1930s Solid carved oak walnut, with striped damask upholstery. Measures: A...
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1930s American Vintage British Colonial Dining Room Chairs

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Upholstery, Walnut

British Colonial dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial dining room chairs 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 dining room chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, cane and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial dining room chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America 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 dining room chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $3,882 while the average work can sell for $2,380.

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