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.
William Switzer Faux Bamboo Ottoman - Bench with Plaid Upholstery
Located in Bradenton, FL
William Switzer Faux Bamboo Ottoman with Plaid Upholstery. This ottoman is a refined accent piece that blends classic British Colonial inspiration with sophisticated transitional sty...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
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
$2,200 / set
H 16.5 in Dm 18 in
Pair of Floral Upholstery Custom Studio Made Ottomans Poufs Benches Stool MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of 16" Round Tufted Floral Upholstery Custom Studio Made Ottomans Poufs Benches Stool MINT!
Upholstery
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
$1,495 / set
H 16.5 in W 24 in D 17 in
Pair T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Style Faux Bamboo Wood & Salmon Ottomans, 1950s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These fantastic ottomans are in the style of T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings, made in the USA around the 1960s - 70s. Featuring hardwood frames ornately carved into faux bamboo, they are stu...
Upholstery, Wood
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
Custom Leopard Parsons Style Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning Parsons style ottoman with Turkish pillow top in the style of Milo Baughman. Available as shown, or in your choice of fabric for $1800 + COM (3.5 yards of fabric).
Velvet, Wood
Mid-century vintage regency inspired faux bamboo bench
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Regency inspired faux bamboo bench. This iron bench is lacquered black and has a bamboo design to the metal. The bench is newly upholstered in a cut vel...
Metal
George Smith Ottoman with Floral Stripe Upholstery, Fair Condition
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
A classic George Smith ottoman upholstered in a colorful, floral-and-stripe patterned weave. The turned wooden legs culminate with brass castors for easy mobility. The ottoman's ampl...
Brass
Custom Biedermeier Style Bench by William Switzer, Burl Olive Wood
Located in Southampton, NJ
Bespoke custom hand- crafted Biedermeier style bench with exquisite burl olive wood frame, saber legs and leopard velvet upholstery. All original William Switzer production retainin...
Velvet, Olive
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Carolean Tufted Walnut Bench
By William Switzer, Charles Pollock
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Carolean Tufted Walnut Bench.
Walnut
Oversized Louis XIV Style Ottoman
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Louis XIV style ottoman with brass casters and upholstered in leather.
Leather, Wood
$13,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 25.6 in D 26.8 in
Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a rare and in exceptional condition Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, with original black leather cushions as well as a new set of new Maharam Sorghum brown cushions. Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s and distributed by Illums Bolighus with solid rosewood for the frame, cane seating under black leather cushion seating. Perhaps the most famous design by Ole Wanscher, the Colonial Chair PJ 149 is inspired by 17th century English furniture...
Leather, Cane, Rosewood
$3,500
H 16 in W 28 in D 28 in
Rare Ottoman Designed by Katavolos, Littell and Kelley for Laverne International
By Douglas Kelly, Ross Littell and William Katavolos, Laverne International
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original black leather ottoman / stool, model 21-LC, from the Architectural Group One line designed by William Katavolos, Ross Littell and Douglas Kelley for Laverne International. C...
Steel, Chrome
Karl Springer Style Waterfall Scroll Bench with Bouclè Upholstery
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic mid-century modern waterfall scroll bench made in the manner and style of Karl Springer. The bench has a modern redux with a stylish and soft boucl...
Fabric, Wood
$2,842 / set
H 16.93 in W 51.97 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Benches with Red Patterned Fabric Upholstery, Italy
By Dedar
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. These benches feature a solid lacquered ebonized beech frame and a new red and white patterned fabric upholstery. These benches are vintage therefore they might...
Fabric, Beech
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
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
Tufted Leather Ottoman or Bench, Late 19th Century
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A really wonderful tufted leather ottoman, with well turned legs and brass cup casters. It definitely has the British Colonial for den or library vibe. Beautiful patina to the very t...
Sold
H 18.5 in W 44 in D 23 in
Late 19th C. Tufted and Leather Covered British Colonial Style Storage Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A leather covered ottoman with turned wood legs terminating in brass casters, with a tufted leather top, the whole outlined with brass tacks. The lid lifts for storage. A wonderful o...