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.
Vintage Ficks Reed Modular Rattan Sectional Sofa & Lounge Chair – 3 Piece Set
By Ficks Reed
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered for sale is a vintage Ficks Reed rattan seating group consisting of a two-piece modular sectional sofa and matching lounge chair. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship an...
Rattan
Six Piece Mid Century Boxy Modern Modular or Sectional L Shaped Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic boxy modular sofa circa 1970's. A very simple timeless design. Single chairs measures W 28 D 35, corner piece measures W 35 D 35, and the ottoman measures W 29 D 29. Fabric...
Fabric
Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Chair & Ottoman, 1970's
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rochester, NY
Ficks Reed rattan large cube form lounge chair and matching ottoman in as found very nice original finish. Measures together - 58" w x 30" d x 30" h to top of back seat cushion of c...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Reed, Foam, Wood
$12,500 / set
H 24 in W 45 in D 45 in
Restoration Hardware RH Cloud Luxe Brown Leather Modular Sectional Sofa, 5-Piece
Located in Rochester, NY
Restoration Hardware "The Cloud" Sofa in a rich dark chocolate brown full-aniline leather. This substantial five-piece sectional includes: 3 corner chairs W45" x D45" x H24" 1 armle...
Leather
Carsons 5 Piece Post Modern Modular Sectional Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Lutz, FL
Being offered AS-IS for reupholstery. 5 piece Carsons of High Point post modern modular sectional in white wave upholstery. Frames are solid and in great condition, upholster to your...
Fabric, Wood
$2,903 / set
H 30.71 in W 80.71 in D 34.26 in
Laauser Vintage Leather Patchwork Sectional Sofa Modular, 1970s
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Original from the 1970s Laauser Modular Leathersofa in black anthracite Aniline Leather. This sofa consists of 3 elements that can be individually adjusted. Soft and comfortable seat...
Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood
Vintage Ficks Reed Style Rattan Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Ficks Reed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring relaxed coastal elegance to your home with this beautiful vintage Ficks Reed style rattan lounge chair and matching ottoman. Showcasing the timeless craftsmanship and organic a...
Rattan
Vintage 1970s 9-Piece Curved Modular Sofa Sectional
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Remarkably well preserved nine‑piece modular sofa sectional from the late 1960s–1970s. The set includes seven standard modular chairs and two wedge‑shaped corner modules, offering a ...
Velvet
Vintage Ralph Lauren Upholstered Modular Sectional Sofa
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage modular sectional sofa by Ralph Lauren exemplifies the brand’s hallmark balance of timeless sophistication and relaxed comfort. ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Modern 6 Piece Sectional Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
This vintage modern 6-piece sectional sofa offers a spacious and versatile seating arrangement, perfect for customization. Its clean lines and timeless mid-century-inspired design ma...
Wood
1960s 6 Piece Sectional Sofa
Located in New York, NY
1960s 6 piece sectional sofa. This sectional sofa has the original fabric and wooden legs. The sofa is modular and can be arranged and several ways. ...
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury 13 Piece Modular Sectional Sofa After Tito Agnoli
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Italian mid-century modern 13 piece modular sectional sofa in the style and manner of Tito Agnoli for Arflex. The 9000 sofa design consists of individual seats with rounde...
Faux Leather, Naugahyde, Wood
Vintage Ficks Reed Sectional Sofas Walnut with Rattan
By Ficks Reed
Located in Denton, TX
Rare combination of walnut with rattan love seats by Ficks Reed that can be used as one long sofa or as a corner unit or a pair Measurements with ou...
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 117 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Coastal Rattan Three-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa With New Sunbrella
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking mid-20th century three-piece rattan sectional featuring a curved two-seat center section flanked by two generously sized single-seat sections. The rattan frames have been...
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan