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 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
Faux Bamboo Settee with Leather Cushion, Tortoise Shell Finish
Located in Southampton, NJ
Faux bamboo bench settee with Tortoise shell lacquered finish, beautifully caned seat and custom leather down filled seat cushion. British Colonial & Chinoiserie design elements....
Leather, Cane, Wood, Down
Mid-20th Century Coastal Brighton Pavilion Bamboo and Cane Settee Sofa
By Brunschwig & Fils, Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in Southampton, NJ
Fabulous burnt bamboo British Colonial style Brighton Pavilion settee with new custom seat & down filled back cushion in delightful Brunschwig & Fils Upholstery. The settee features ...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
West Indies Carved and Caned Daybed or Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial daybed, most likely Barbadian crafted in mahogany with a graceful form, floral carvings, handmade construction, caned seat, back and side, and turned legs with brass...
Mahogany
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
$2,648
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 24.41 in
LOUIS XVI FRENCH CARVED GiLTWOOD DOUBLE CANED BERGERE SETTEE SOFA WINDOW SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional sublime Louis XVI French Carved Giltwood and double Caned Bergère Window seat or Settee P...
Rattan, Giltwood
1980's French Louis XV Style Cane Settee, Italy
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exquisite Louis XV style hand carved French caned settee with loose notched cushion. Crafted in Italy c. 1980's, ready for use. Additional dimension...
Upholstery, Cane, Cherry
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
$5,800
H 38.5 in W 78 in D 29.5 in
Antique Louis XV Style Chaise Lounge Daybed W Nancy Corzine Matelassé Fabric
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Louis XV Style Chaise Lounge Daybed W Nancy Corzine Matelassé Fabric
Wood, Down
Sold|$2,690
H 24 in W 74 in D 35 in
Eileen Gray Black Daybed Leather and Chrome Modern Chaise Lounger Daybed
By Eileen Gray
Located in Rochester, NY
One of Eileen Gray's most celebrated designs, this minimalist elegant piece hosts black leather on a tubular chrome frame. Since the structure is mainly open, the piece can be sat u...
Chrome
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benche or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot bencheor settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass pi...
Wood
$4,371
H 48.82 in W 53.35 in D 53.35 in
Vintage Giltwood Love Seat Conversation Settee Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic English vintage giltwood love seat or conversation "Sociable Settee" mid 20th century in date. It is of clover leaf outline and has four individual seats with...
Velvet, Giltwood
French Early 20th Century Walnut and Straw Settee, Circa 1920
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This settee has an amazing back made of strong wood, rustic look and so different.
Straw, Walnut
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Pagoda Loveseat, Bamboo & Rattan, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Brighton Pavillion Pagoda style loveseat with beautiful fretwork back and sides. Very fine detail. A beautiful and special piece. Use as is or ad...
Bamboo, Rattan
Fine Vintage Italian Walnut & Cane Settee With Cushion
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine Italian triple chair-back design with solid vase splats having carved details and a gently curving top rail. The Bench elegant out-scrolling arms and sits on six tapered sabre l...
Other
$2,716
H 41 in W 59 in D 23 in
Thonet, a Bentwood Chaise Lounge with Wonderful Scroll Work Details & Cane Work
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
Thonet. A bentwood chaise lounge with an adjustable back with a flowing scrollwork frame with a cane work bed. Stamped to the base with serial number and ??? - Paris retailer. Dimen...
Cane, Bentwood
Brighton Pavillion Burnt Bamboo Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful & Rare Vintage Brighton Pavillion loveseat / settee with cane seat. Add your own cushion of choice.
Bamboo, Cane
Sold
H 34.5 in W 45 in D 19 in
Mid-20th Century Restored Coastal Brighton Pavilion Bamboo and Cane Settee
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A beautifully restored Mid-20th Century bamboo settee in the Brighton Pavilion style, showcasing intricate fretwork and a warm honey-toned finish. The cane seat and architectural det...
Bamboo
Sold
H 42.5 in W 45.5 in D 22.5 in
Mid-20th Century Restored Rattan Settee With Built-in Side Table and New Custom
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A rare and sculptural Mid-20th Century rattan settee featuring a Chippendale back design, gracefully arched supports, and integrated side table with original smoked glass top. The fr...
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan, Smoked Glass
Sold
H 33.75 in W 90.75 in D 27.75 in
British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
A British Colonial carved wooden settee with swan neck back and out-scrolling arms, cane seat and turned legs. This British Colonial carved woo...
Cane, Wood
Antique British Colonial Settee Newly Upholstered in Cognac Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique British Colonial Settee Newly Upholstered in Cognac Leather This handsome antique British Colonial 5-leg settee has been meticulously restored and newly upholstered in sumpt...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 53 in D 29 in
Art Deco Style Caribbean Three Piece Settee and Two Chair Suite of Furniture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable suite of furniture comprising a settee and two matching armchairs crafted in mahogany in dramatic art deco form with woven reed backs and seats, pegged constructi...
Mahogany
Antique British Colonial Caned and Carved Settee or Love Seat
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century British Colonial settee handcrafted in mahogany with a caned back and seat featuring sea shell carvings on the back and arms, floral carvings on the knees and bold turned and beaded...
Cane, Mahogany
Brighton Pavilion Style Bamboo Love Seat or Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable British colonial settee or bench crafted with bamboo and bent bamboo in the iconic Chinese Chippendale style of the Brighton Pavilion.
Bamboo
Large Scale Double Cane Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
A handsome double sided cane settee of heavy ebony lacquered bamboo form wood expertly crafted to absolute perfection. Large in scale this custom beauty features three expertly uphol...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Down
British Colonial Style Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive British colonial style chaise lounge handcrafted in the 19th century methods with mahogany in a graceful form, having a caned seat, s...
Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 37 in W 64.5 in D 33 in
1930s British Colonial Style Blue and White Carved Oak Sofa / Settee Cane Back
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a British Colonial style carved oak cane back sofa with optional back cushion. The cane is intact, and it has bun feet and turned supports. The...
Upholstery, Oak
1950's Broyhill Premier British Colonial Style Loveseat
By Broyhill
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950's Broyhill Premier loveseat with new custom cushions & upholstery. Solid wood construction and grasscloth surround, hand rubbed original finish with warm patina. Timeless design...
Cotton, Grasscloth, Upholstery, Walnut