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.
$1,992Sale Price|20% Off
British Colonial Teak Slipper Chair With Leather Upholstery
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1920's Hand carved Victorian Slipper chair constructed from Teak wood and re-upholstered in brown leather.
Teak
$3,773Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Scalloped Slipper Chair Juniper Green Velvet Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Isabella slipper chair is one of our signature pieces. The exquisite tailored fluting and distinctive lines give a shapely feminine edge. This design is superb upholstered in a v...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,773Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Channelled Slipper Chair in Red Velvet with Legs in Walnut
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Isabella slipper chair is one of our signature pieces. The exquisite tailored fluting and distinctive lines give a shapely feminine edge. Th...
Velvet, Walnut
Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Mahogany
$9,400
H 29 in W 33 in D 29 in
Paul Laszlo Hollywood Regency Slipper Chair in Off White Bouclé circa 1940s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Paul Laszlo 1940s slipper chair with new super soft off white ivory bouclé upholstery. Hollywood Regency from top to bottom and side to side, this gorgeous one of a kind chair...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$2,495 / set
H 34 in W 29.5 in D 33 in
MCM Hollywood Regency Button Back Oyster & Blue Harlequin Fabric Slipper Chairs
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage MCM aka Mid-Century Modern or Hollywood Regency button back oyster & blue colored harlequin fabric slipper chairs with front brass ball casters. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. These have been professionally cleaned and the fabric is in great condition. Legs have had a coat of Danish oil applied. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Time to slip into something more comfortable! How about this GORGEOUS pair of Mid-Century Modern slipper chairs! Don’t mind if we do!! This is a Classic pair of slipper chairs we believe were reupholstered in this wonderful oyster or off white colored fabric with blue dots on the tips of the diamonds of the harlequin design, button backs, and deck. The seat is a loose foam cushion that fits much like a T cushion...
Fabric, Wood
$15,500 / set
H 31 in W 34 in D 31 in
Baker Ivory Satin Slipper Chairs Attributed to Michael Taylor, circa 1950s, Pair
By Michael Taylor, James Mont, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
An absolutely jaw-dropping pair of meticulous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency lounge chairs in original tufted ivory satin from a boutique series produced by Baker Furniture, circa 1960. Extremely rare Baker Furniture chairs in the style of James Mont. Stout, expertly crafted ebonized solid mahogany construction. This fabulous design is routinely attributed to the work of the esteemed Michael Taylor. The unmistakable look of old money...
Satin, Mahogany
$1,995 / set
H 29 in W 29 in D 32 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Chrome Slipper Chairs, Florence Knoll Style
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern slipper chairs with chrome base in the manner of Florence Knoll. Comfortable angled backs with polished chrome base. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - ...
Chrome
$3,540 / item
H 31 in W 19 in D 24 in
Classic Skirted Slipper Chair in Hot Pink Velvet with Contrast Velvet Back
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
About this piece Made to order skirted slipper chair. As shown with cotton velvet and cut velvet contrast outside back. How we work Made t...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Slipper Chair in the Style of André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Glendale, CA
Slipper chair in the style of André Sornay. Handcrafted in Los Angeles in the workshop of noted French designer and antiques dealer Denis de le Mesiere, who pays homage to the work...
Brass
Vintage Gridded Wire Frame Slipper Chair, USA 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Metal frame and upholstered cushion chair. Includes cushions upholstered as shown in images, in good condition.
Metal
Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with brass tag. Features tufted back with piping. Original f...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,250 / set
H 36 in W 19.5 in D 18 in
Louis XVI Lyre Back Slipper Chairs, Fortuny Fabric, France, Circa 1780
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Louis XVI Period Lyre back slipper chairs upholstered in Fortuny fabric. Very good and sturdy condition.
Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 26.75 in D 23.25 in
Tommy Bahama Ring Back Rattan Slipper Chairs in Scalamandre Tigre – Pair
By Tommy Bahama
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A stunning and highly stylish pair of Tommy Bahama rattan side slipper chairs featuring sculptural ring-back detailing and newly upholstered in iconic Scalamandre Tigre fabric. These...
Upholstery, Rattan
Superb Plantation Chair with Matching Foot Stool A is a wonderful seat
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Superb Plantation Chair with Matching Foot Stool A wonderful seat, this is a heavy quality set, they are both in good used condition, no damage or repairs, the cushions have been r...
Willow
Pair Drexel Carved Safari/Campaign Chairs, circa 1970
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb pair of carved wood and leather campaign or safari chairs by Drexel that dates to the 1970s. Both chairs retain their original wood surface and leather upholstery wh...
Leather