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.
Stanley British Colonial Dining Chairs American Craftsman Collection Set of 6
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Velvet, Cane, Hardwood, Cherry
$8,617Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 21st Century James Dining Chair Walnut Wood by Wood Tailors
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
James Boswell, the 9th Laird of Auchinleck, was a prestigious biographer and diarist. During the course of his life, James met an amazing number of the powerful of the literati, the ...
Walnut
$3,006Sale Price / item|20% Off
Wooden Albany Dining Chair Handmade in Portugal by Wood Tailors Club
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Albany Savile is an esteemed member of the illustrious Brooks Club, a distinguished figure who brings an air of refinement and sophistication to this esteemed institution. With his i...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Anglo Indian Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 5
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your dining space with this stately set of five vintage Anglo-Indian dining chairs, a masterful blend of British Colonial structure and tropical artisanal detail. Each chair ...
Rattan, Mahogany
$2,062Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Rattan Spencer Dining Chair Wood Handmade in Portugal by Wood Tailors
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Member of one of the most exquisite gentlemen’s clubs in London, the Brook’s, Spencer Cavendish has the distinction of having served as leader of three political parties. The 8th Duke of Devonshire...
Linen, Rattan, Walnut
$8,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 21st Century Leather Velvet Rattan George Dining Chair
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
George is one of the Wood Tailors Club's bestsellers. 12 units ready to ship! A membership application in a privileged club sometimes requires an endorsement by at least one club m...
Leather, Velvet, Rattan, Oak
$12,369Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 21st Rattan Spencer Dining Chair Wood by Wood Tailors Club
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Member of one of the most exquisite gentlemen’s clubs in London, the Brook’s, Spencer Cavendish has the distinction of having served as leader of three political parties. The 8th Duk...
Linen, Rattan, Walnut
$16,307Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 8 21st Century Leather Velvet Rattan George Dining Chair
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
George is one of the Wood Tailors Club's bestsellers. 12 units ready to ship! A membership application in a privileged club sometimes requires an endorsement by at least one club m...
Leather, Velvet, Rattan, Oak
$1,010 / item
Cecily Hand-Woven Rattan Dining Chair
Located in Christchurch, GB
Part of our Cecily Collection, the Cecily Rattan Chair is hand-woven from natural rattan in a warm teak finish. It features a diamond lattice apron alongside a tightly woven basketwe...
Rattan
$16,492Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 8 21st Rattan Spencer Dining Chair Wood by Wood Tailors Club
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Member of one of the most exquisite gentlemen’s clubs in London, the Brook’s, Spencer Cavendish has the distinction of having served as leader of three political parties. The 8th Duk...
Linen, Rattan, Walnut
$8,246Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 21st Rattan Spencer Dining Chair Wood by Wood Tailors Club
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Member of one of the most exquisite gentlemen’s clubs in London, the Brook’s, Spencer Cavendish has the distinction of having served as leader of three political parties. The 8th Duk...
Linen, Rattan, Walnut
$12,230Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 21st Century Leather Velvet Rattan George Dining Chair
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
George is one of the Wood Tailors Club's bestsellers. 12 units ready to ship! A membership application in a privileged club sometimes requires an endorsement by at least one club m...
Leather, Velvet, Rattan, Oak
$2,562 / item
H 32.68 in W 23.23 in D 23.63 in
Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Pink Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Laurence Dining Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Laurence dining chair is an artistic tribute to the essence of femininity ...
Velvet, Wood, Leather, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen
$2,925 / item
H 32.68 in W 23.23 in D 23.63 in
Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Red Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Laurence Dining Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Laurence dining chair is an artistic tribute to the essence of femininity ...
Velvet, Wood, Leather, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen
$67,000 / set
H 32.5 in W 19.75 in D 17 in
Exquisite Set of 8 Vintage Klismos Cane Dining Chairs by Baker
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare: An exceptional, meticulously restored set of eight (8) cane back Klismos dining chairs by Baker Furniture, circa 1958. A set of this magnitude is the Collecto...
Cane, Cherry
$5,450 / set
H 36 in W 22 in D 22.32 in
Vintage set of 6 Tropical Vibe McGuire Rattan & Cane Dining Chairs c. 1970s
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
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 wit...
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan
American Made Chippendale Dining Chairs Set of 8
Located in Malibu, CA
Stunning set of Georgian Chippendale style dining chairs with traditional carving with a pierced & carved cental splat. Newly upholstered seats in Italian burnout damask & fi...
Fruitwood
$3,510 / set
H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 16.54 in
Set of Five Blue Velvet Thonet Wood Rattan Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A set of 5 rattan and wood chairs. The furniture was designed by Helena and Jerzy Kurmanowicz. They were produced in Thonet Woodworking Factory and we thoroughly renovated them. The ...
Velvet, Beech
Set of 6 Erno Fabry Cane Back Dining Chairs
By Erno Fabry
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 Erno Fabry walnut and cane back dining chairs. The chairs are walnut with caned backs. Seats are blue velvet. There are two ...
Walnut, Cane
Set of Six Mid-Century Tomlinson Dining Chairs, Walnut
By Tomlinson
Located in Trenton, NJ
This distinguished set of six dining chairs by Tomlinson Furniture Company of High Point, North Carolina represents the finest tradition of American mid-century modern furniture-maki...
Wood
$5,800 / set
H 44 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Set of Four McGuire Organic Modern Rattan Cathedral Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic set of four organic modern rattan dining chairs made by McGuire. "Cathedral" style dining chairs designed by John McGuire feature a Gothic lancet arch style back with an open ...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
$3,744 / item
H 32.68 in W 23.23 in D 23.63 in
Modern Laurence Leather Dining Chairs, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Laurence Leather Dining Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Laurence leather dining chair is an artistic tribute to the essence of fe...
Leather, Wood, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet
$3,393 / item
H 32.68 in W 23.23 in D 23.63 in
Modern Laurence Dining Chairs, Dedar Boucle, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Laurence Dining Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Laurence dining chair is an artistic tribute to the essence of femininity ...
Bouclé, Wood, Leather, Mohair, Linen, Velvet
$640Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 21.5 in D 18 in
Set of Six American Mid-Century Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Trenton, NJ
A complete set of six American mid-century walnut dining chairs from the 1960s, comprising two armchairs and four matching side chairs. The back design is the defining feature of the...
Wood
Set of Four Vintage Rustic Rattan Dining Armchairs by Henry Link
By Henry Link
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A beautiful set of four vintage rattan dining armchairs by Henry Link, showcasing classic British Colonial and coastal design. These chairs feature gracefully scrolled rattan arms, h...
Upholstery, Rattan
Vintage Set of Eight British Colonial Style Dining Chairs by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive set of eight dining chairs crafted in mahogany with four arm and four side chairs in classic form featuring caned panels on the backs, upholstered seats and turned and bea...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
17th Century Style Dining Chairs - Set 6
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of 6 English style Dining Chairs in the 17th century style. Carved back splat and top rail. Finely turned legs and stretchers.
Walnut
British Colonial Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style dining chairs USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 21.25"W x...
Upholstery, Cherry
British Colonial Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful set of eight British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style dining chairs USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: Sid...
Upholstery, Cherry
Sold
H 40.25 in W 21.13 in D 18.75 in
Stickley Lancashire Style Cherry Wood Spindle Dining Chairs With Rush Seats
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of six Lancashire style dining chairs By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, 1954 Solid carved cherry wood frames, with rush seats. Measures: Side chairs - 21.13"W x 18.75...
Rush, Cherry
Set of Six Ralph Lauren Mahogany Rattan Barrel Dining Chairs
By Ralph Lauren
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...
Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany
McGuire Style Laced Leather Rawhide Rattan Dining Chairs
By McGuire
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...
Leather, Rattan, Wood
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...
Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 61 in D 61 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,...
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...
Elm
Sold
H 37.75 in W 22 in D 19 in
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...
Maple