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.
Pair of British Colonial Style Carved Caned Plantation Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of hand-carved plantation chairs crafted in the British colonial taste. The chairs feature large frames decorated with reeded, scrolled seats having delicate acanthus de...
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Vintage Ralph Lauren Left Bank Safari Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with this iconic "Left Bank" Safari Lounge Chair from the Ralph Lauren Home collection. This piece beautifully balances the rugged spirit of exploration with hi...
Brass
$6,360Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century British Colonial Tea Plantation Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890 Rare Teak and leather lounge chair that was formerly used in a Tea Estate in India. Hand made with pull out leaves that transform into leg rests and can be tucked back ...
Teak
Antique British Colonial Anglo Indian Teak Split Reed Rattan Plantation Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century British Colonial Anglo Indian plantation chair. Made from teak in mortise and tenon joinery with a relaxed lounged frame and long arms. Features a curved crest rail and split reed bent rattan seat. There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a day's backbreaking work. In the 19th century, plantation owners used a specific chair. Called, naturally enough, the planter...
Teak
Great Pair of Vintage Mahogany Planters Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of vintage mahogany planters chairs with canvas.
Canvas, Mahogany
Pair of Painted Caned Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Lounge Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tub style lounge chairs in the British Colonial style, each having a white-painted, molded frame of faux bamboo surrounding thye caned back and sides, its bowed crestrail dow...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Bamboo and Rattan Chair and Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage British colonial style chair and ottoman crafted with a bamboo frame and having herringbone woven rattan on the seat, arms and ottoman, ce...
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-Century Coastal Rattan Barrel Lounge Chairs With New Sunbrella Cushions-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A wonderful pair of vintage mid-20th century rattan barrel lounge chairs featuring sculptural rounded frames, open crisscross rattan backs and contrasting darker wrapped bindings thr...
Upholstery, Rattan
British Colonial Style Bamboo Recliner Chair with Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century recliner chair crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with caned seating featuring a pull out ottoman and Morris style reclini...
Bamboo
Vintage Stick Rattan Lounge Chair in Stockwell Performance “Martinique”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the timeless glamour of the "California Look" with this exceptional vintage stick rattan lounge chair. Drawing significant influence from 1940s Hollywood Regency and British ...
Fabric, Rattan
Sold|$4,600
H 28.5 in W 25 in D 32 in
Pair of Ralph Lauren "Cliff House" Leather Wrapped Lounge Chairs
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Ralph Lauren "Cliff House" Black Leather Wrapped Lounge Chair, with beige wool upholstered seats and backs, impressed "Ralph Lauren" signature and "Made in Italy" labels to u...
Leather, Wool, Upholstery
$12,162 / set
H 37.01 in W 27.17 in D 37.41 in
PAiR OF RARE COLLECTABLE RALPH LAUREN FRANCIS JOURDAIN ROPE LOUNGE ARMCHAIRS
By Ralph Lauren, Francis Jourdain
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite pair of very collectable Ralph Lauren Rope Lounge armchairs after the originals by Francis Jo...
Rope, Wood
$14,700
H 29.25 in W 23.75 in D 23.75 in
Pair of French Mid-century Gilt Iron Faux Bamboo Lounge Chairs, Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant and Timeless Pair of French Mid-century, Modern Neoclassical, Gilt Iron, Faux Bamboo, Lounge Chairs in the style of the revered French Midcentury designers, Jacques Adnet ...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Poul Kjærholm PK 27 Easy Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Poul Kjærholm PK 27 easy chairs manufactured by E. Kold Christensen.
Leather
$2,995 / set
H 27 in W 29 in D 28 in
Pair T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings Style Faux Bamboo Wood & Salmon Lounge Chairs 1950s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These fantastic lounge chairs are in the Stye Of T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings, made in the US around the 1960s -70s. Featuring hardwood frames ornately carved into faux bamboo, they are st...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,541Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 25.2 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Vintage Scandinavian Modern Patchwork Leather Lounge Chair SET from IKEA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of armchairs was produced in the early 1980s by the Swedish brand IKEA. The SET model first appears in the catalogue in 1979, was upholstered exclusively in fabric at the ti...
Chrome
Ralph Lauren Modern Penthouse Chrome and Leather Lounge Chair
By Ralph Lauren, Henredon
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sophisticated modernist cantilevered lounge chair designed by Ralph Lauren for Henredon. Known as the "Modern Penthouse" lounge chair it combines contrasting cognac-toned burnished...
Metal, Chrome, Steel
Vintage Ralph Lauren Writer's Chair and Ottoman, 2000s
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are very pleased to present this iconic leather chair and ottoman. Emblematic of Ralph Lauren’s iconic and enduring style, this winged Writer's club chair is masterfully construc...
Leather
$3,895
H 37 in W 30.75 in D 39 in
Ralph Lauren Bohemian Chrome & Silk Wool Blend Leather Cantilever Lounge Chair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in ths USA, this chair is an over-the-top take on the Mies van der Rohe flat-bar BRNO chair. With expanded proportions and radical upholstry, it presents as the perfect statemen...
Steel, Chrome
Ralph Lauren Italian Aran Isles Leather Mahogany Club Chair
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome Italian "Aran Isles” club or lounge chair upholstered in supple aniline leather and corduroy cushions designed in the traditional English Equestrian Country style by Ralph...
Brass
Erik Worts Safari Chair
Located in Portland, OR
Classic Danish modern safari chair designed by Erik Worts for Niels Eilersen. Manufactured in Denmark 1970s. Original linen sling with age-appropriate spots/wear throughout. Frame is...
Brass
Ralph Lauren London Club Lounge Chair in Italian Red Velvet
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant "London" lounge or club chair in stunning Italian red riding velvet designed by Ralph Lauren. The tailored and luxurious chair features a tight upholstered back, broad rol...
Velvet, Hardwood, Mahogany, Down
1980's Philippe Starck "Pratfall" Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic armchair model "Pratfall" by Philippe Starck for Italian manufacture Driade Aleph, circa 1985. The distinctive three-legged chair slightly larger, deeply comfortable wraps the...
Steel
Bauer International Inc. British Colonial style Hand Cane Ottoman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a well thought after Bauer International British Colonial style Hand Cane Ottoman with a curule form. The cane seat is in perfect vintage condition, no loss of cane. Very goo...
Cane, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Raleigh, NC
Low profile and extremely comfortable pair of Jens Risom style lounge chairs. Soft velvet upholstery with contrasting black wood frame.
Upholstery, Hardwood
Sold
H 35.83 in W 33.08 in D 37.8 in
Pair of Large Early 20th Century Teak & Cane Colonial Plantation Chairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Handsome Matched Pair of Original Anglo-Indian Teak and Cane Plantation Chairs, circa 1910–1920. Crafted in solid teak with finely woven cane, these generous colonial lounge cha...
Cane, Teak
British Colonial Style Plantation Lounge Chair with Ottoman
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair with matching ottoman made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chair features a gracefully carved teak frame with large scrolled ar...
Cane, Teak
Vintage Boho Palm Tree Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Experience the perfect marriage of classic comfort and exotic flair with this handsome vintage club chair and ottoman set. The chair is crafted in the timeless English roll-arm style...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 28 in D 43 in
Antique plantation chair with handwoven cane and fold out footrests, circa 1920S
Located in Houston, TX
Antique plantation chair with handwoven cane and fold out footrests, circa 1920s(30s?). This reclining lounge chair has an adjustable rattan b...
Teak
British Colonial Style Plantation Lounge Chair with Ottoman
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair with matching ottoman made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chair features a gracefully carved teak frame with large scrolled a...
Cane, Teak
Sold
H 35.44 in W 29.14 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Soren Lund Lounge Chairs / Arm chairs in Wicker / Cane and leather
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A pair of Søren Lund armchairs in cane and leather. The chairs are from the 1960s and have a really good seating comfort. The huge leather cushion is soft and great to sit on. Bo...
Leather, Cane
Sold
H 41.75 in W 37 in D 34 in
Baker Furniture British Colonial Bamboo Rattan Wingback Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Ralph Lauren, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of British Colonial or Organic Modern wingback lounge chairs In the manner of Ralph Lauren By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Circa Late 20th Centu...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 35.04 in W 29.14 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Soren Lund Lounge Chairs / Arm chairs in Wicker / Cane and leather
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of two Danish Søren Lund armchairs from the 1960s. Both chairs are in great condition and made of wicker and leather. The chairs themselves are in wicker while the armrests and ...
Leather, Wicker, Rattan
Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs. These are a pair of British Colonial Ceylonese satinwood and cane chairs. Made in the Late 19th in Ceylon (now Sri La...
Cane, Satinwood
Sold
H 36.5 in W 28.75 in D 39 in
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Bamboo Rattan and Cane Lounge Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Organic Modern lounge chair By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection" Circa Late 20th Century Rattan frame in bamboo form, with cane seat and bac...
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
Campeche Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair and ottoman, made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs features large scrolled arms with caned seat and ottoman. The chairs have a des...
Mahogany
Sold
H 33.08 in W 27.56 in D 30.32 in
Antique 19th Century Lounge Chair in Rattan, Bouclé & Beech, British Colonial
By Kaare Klint
Located in Odense, DK
Step into a world of timeless elegance and sophistication with this exquisite 19th Century British Colonial lounge chair, a true testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era. This ...
Bouclé, Rattan, Beech
Antique Woven Back British Colonial Plantation Tea Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Woven Back British Colonial Plantation Tea Chair This late 19th Century antique British Colonial plantation tea chair is a great lounge ch...
Rattan, Wood
Antique British Colonial Caned and Carved Planters Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive British Colonial plantation chair crafted in mahogany in a graceful form with dramatic carved ocean and floral motifs on the back and rolled ...
Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 37 in W 42 in D 25 in
Antique British Colonial Anglo Indian Teak Distressed Plantation Armchair
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century British Colonial Anglo Indian plantation chair. Made from teak in mortise and tenon joinery with a relaxed lounged frame and long arms. Features a curved crest rai...
Teak