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.
$1,650 / set
Vintage Woven Rattan Ottomans - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your living space with the sophisticated coastal elegance of these vintage woven rattan ottomans. Drawing inspiration from the timeless silhouettes of British Colonial and Wes...
Fabric, Rattan
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
Louis XVI-Style Ottoman
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a unique c. 1980's Louis XVI ottoman that we have had upholstered in the ultra high-end Clarence House Zebra Linen. The carved Walnut Louis XVI frame is in excellent conditio...
Textile, Walnut
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Cane Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Caned Armchair Made entirely out of satinwood. Gentle curved back. Hand caning seat - still in good condition. Spiral arms are a un...
Satinwood
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
Antique Empire Style Ottomans
Located in Rīga, LV
Pieces are fully restored: new upholstery with coordinated trim, wood was restored and new lacquer applied, brass details are cleaned and refinished
Fabric, Wood
$1,026
H 15.36 in Dm 20.08 in
Mid-Century Italian Round Ottoman Pouf in Woven Rattan and Wood, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful French Riviera style pouf stool completely made in hand-woven rattan with walnut wood feet. This delightful organic object can also be used as stylish side table, it was de...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Wicker
Vintage British Colonial Style Caned Sofa or Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout British colonial style sofa crafted in mahogany in classic form featuring a caned back and seat under a removable upholstered cushion, rolled arms with carved medallions and...
Brass
Pair of Vintage "X" Frame Upholstered Ottomans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique pair of vintage ottoman's feature stylish upholstered x-frame bases with added stretchers for support. Pouf style design adds to t...
Upholstery
Oversized Louis XIV Style Ottoman
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Louis XIV style ottoman with brass casters and upholstered in leather.
Leather, Wood
Spanish Colonial Style Embossed Leather Ottoman with Bun Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A substantial rectangular ottoman upholstered in richly embossed leather, mid-20th century. The warm brown leather features an elegant damask-inspired pattern with subtle tonal varia...
Leather, Wood
British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair A low comfortable reading chair made out of Mahogany and cane. Lovely carved details on arms, ba...
Cane, Mahogany
Vintage-Style Tufted Leather Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
Vintage-style leather tufted ottoman in brown leather. It features a solid hardwood frame wrapped in rich brown leather detailed with nailhead brass trim. The cushioned top is fixed ...
Leather
Woven Rush Ottoman by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2013, the Woven Rush Ottoman is classically mid...
Rush, Walnut
Sold
H 16 in W 27 in D 19 in
Vintage British Colonial Style Mahogany Upholstered & Tufted Foot Stool Ottoman
Located in Dayton, OH
British Colonial style ottoman or footstool, circa 1980s. Features a rectangular distressed mahogany frame with floral upholstered and tufted pillow top. The bench is supported by ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Handsome oversized tufted leather ottoman/trunk after Ralph Lauren
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome large oversized leather tufted library ottoman. The tufted ottoman features a beautiful olive green leather on the top and opens up ...
Wood
Sold
H 18 in W 26.5 in D 20 in
Hancock & Moore English Regency Leather Nailhead Ottoman on Brass Casters
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Hancock & Moore burgundy leather brass nailhead trimmed ottoman on turned wooden legs with brass casters.
Brass
Pair of Bamboo Rattan and Wicker Ottomans
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of vintage ottomans crafted with a wicker frame, woven rattan skirt, and a classic stick wicker concave top.
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Broyhill Premier British Colonial Style Chair & Ottoman
By Broyhill
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950's Broyhill Premier Chair & ottoman set with new custom cushions & upholstery. Solid wood construction and grasscloth surround, hand rubbed origin...
Cotton, Grasscloth, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of British Colonial Style Bamboo Ottomans
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British colonial ottomans or footstools crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with grasscloth tops and reed wrapped joints.
Bamboo
Pair of Ottomans or Foot Stools
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury ottomans crafted in ash wood with woven leather straps on top, Asian style brackets, and cross stretchers wrapped with reed. Signed McGuire on a brass label.
Leather
Pair of Drexel Heritage Upholstered Lounge Chairs and Ottomans
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of lounge chairs with ottomans by Drexel Heritage. The set features walnut legs and trim and beautiful tan damask upholstery. They have scrolled arms and seat bac...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Upholstered Faux Bamboo Benches
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Standing on turned walnut faux bamboo legs and brass casters these elegant benches or ottomans have recently been reupholstered and covered with a contemporary style white and gray f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 19 in W 41 in D 29 in
Mid-Century George Smith Signature Ottoman in Green Tufted Leather and Mahogany
By George Smith
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage signature ottoman produced by George Smith, circa 1960s, with cushioned and button tufted seat in olive green leather, trimmed with brass nailheads, standing on bobbin turn...
Leather, Mahogany
George Smith Upholstered Ottoman Bench
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
A vintage signature George Smith stool. With ebonized graduated turned legs and upholstered in a blue and cream trellis pattern.
Vintage George Smith Tapestry-Upholstered Ottoman or Stool
By George Smith
Located in Bellport, NY
A vintage George Smith Ottoman upholstered in a multi-colored tapestry/kiln. Ebony barley twist legs, down and cotton filled cushion. The classic George Smith stool...
Tapestry, Wood