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 Woven Rattan Roll Arm Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent woven rattan sofa is a masterclass in coastal elegance, drawing inspiration from the timeless silhouettes of British Colonial and West Indies design. Expertly crafte...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
By Ralph Lauren
Located in North Canton, OH
Gorgeous Vintage Chesterfield Sofa with Deep Button Tufts, Rolled arms and Brass Casters. Finished in a Cognac leather. Unsigned, believed to be Ralph Lauren.
Leather
Jamaican Cuban Mahogany Upholstered Sofa with Acanthus & Lion Paw Feet. C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Jamaican Cuban mahogany sofa with flanking scrolled arms, reeded skirt, centered rosette, and terminating on acanthus carved lions paw feet. Sofa has be...
Muslin, Mahogany
Vintage Bielecky Brothers Rattan Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental vintage sofa by the legendary Bielecky Brothers is a masterclass in the sophisticated "California Look" of the mid-to-late 20th century. Renowned for their high-end a...
Textile, Rattan
$4,267Sale Price|55% Off
vintage sofa
Located in Manzano, IT
magnificent vintage sofa, a piece of high cabinetry with timeless charm. This imposing sofa is a true statement piece that will add a touch of historic elegance and refined characte...
Leather, Wood
British Colonial Art Deco Teak Bench, Myanmar, Brass Feet, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Unique original Colonial Art Deco teak bench/sofa made in Myanmar around 1930. The bench stands on six feet with brass sleeves that have a wonderful original...
Brass
Ralph Lauren "Somerville" English Arm Traditional Sofa
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are pleased to present this handsome Country English style sofa designed by Ralph Lauren. The "Somerville" sofa features a soft gracefully arched double back, generous English rol...
Fabric
$34,500
H 31 in W 84 in D 32 in
Exquisite Restored Cane Tuxedo Sofa by Bielecky Brothers - Pair Available
By Billy Baldwin, Bielecky Brothers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent sofa is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative, meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. Expert...
Brass
Vintage 70s brown leatherette sofa
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
3-seater sofa with foam padding and leatherette upholstery.
Plastic
$18,352
H 35.83 in W 96.07 in D 41.74 in
STUNNiNG RALPH LAUREN FULLY RESTORED HERITAGE BROWN LEATHER SOFA
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Fully Restored, Ralph Lauren, hand dyed brown leather club sofa RRP £24,000 Please note the d...
Leather
$6,800 / set
H 31 in W 32.5 in D 30 in
Pair of Bielecky Brothers Rattan Wicker Lounge Chairs + Ottoman
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A substantial three piece woven rattan wicker seating group consisting of a pair of lounge chairs or club chairs and a matching ottoman attributed to Bielecky Brothers, New York. The...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Set of Three Bielecky Brothers Rattan and Wicker Lounge Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome set of three late 20th century woven wicker and rattan organic modern lounge armchairs attributed to Bielecky Brothers, New York. The chairs feature curved barrel back for...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
$1,850
H 19.75 in W 42.5 in D 17.5 in
1930s Art Deco Bench or Coffee Table Attributed to Donald Deskey
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco bench or coffee table, attributed to Donald Deskey, American, circa 1930s.
Wood, Walnut
$6,638Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 68.9 in D 25.6 in
Italian 19th Century Mahogany Swan Neck Sofa or Chaise Longues Tuscany, 1820
Located in Rome, IT
A fine tuscany mahogany swan neck sofa The front side of the curved arm ends on carved swan, The settee rests on four lion paw feet. Upholstery in a...
Mahogany
Illum Wikkelso Leather Sofa in Rosewood and Woven Rattan Cane
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare bench by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso Rosewood and wicker structure, fawn leather cushion with a beautiful patina.
Leather, Palisander
$6,890 / item
H 33 in W 84 in D 38 in
Custom Made White Linen English Arm Rolled Back Sofa with Casters
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
White linen English arm rolled back sofa with casters. Custom made to order, upholstered in a heavy weight Belgian linen, with down feath...
Linen
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s. Organically shaped Mid-Century Modern sofa made by Danish master carpenter in Denmark in the 1940s or 1950s. Striped ...
Wool, Oak
A. Rudin Upholstered Chaise Lounge Sofa with Fortuny Throw Pillows
A fine contemporary A. Rudin chaise lounge sofa, in grey upholstery, with rolled back and single arm, down and foam filled seat cushion, rising on tapered wood block feet, accompanie...
Upholstery, Wood
David Hicks Manner Upholstered Sofa
Located in Astoria, NY
David Hicks (British, 1929-1998) manner upholstered sofa with straight back and three back and seat cushions in geometric cut velvet, apparently unmarked. 28" H x 89" W x 36" D; sea...
Upholstery, Velvet
Chesterfield leather and wood sofa, England, 1970s
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Original Chesterfield 3-seater sofa created in the second half of the 20th century. Original made in England and handcrafted in the English Chester tradition with certificate of aut...
Animal Skin
Sold
H 29 in W 92 in D 36 in
Luxurious Large George Smith Chesterfield Sofa Upholstered in Purple Mohair
By George Smith
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An iconic symbol of traditional British design and craftsmaship, the tufted Chesterfield sofa as sumptuously upholstered in new plum purple mohair and finished with brass nailheads. ...
Mohair
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
Vintage Carved Teak Wood Outdoor Garden Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style and comfort to your outdoor seating with this beautifully carved settee or sofa bench with cabriole legs. Labeled Kinsley Bates on right side of seat.
Teak
British Colonial West Indies Carved and Caned Sofa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th century William IV Caribbean or West Indian settee hand crafted in mahogany with an ocean inspired center carving, rolled arms, caned seat back and sides, pegged construction, a...
Mahogany
British Colonial Style Rattan Leather and Cane Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine British Colonial style sofa constructed of ebonized wood frame, padded Grasscloth surround inside and out with leather joinery enhanced with bronzed brass nailhead trim. Plush...
Brass
British Colonial Caribbean Carved and Caned Sofa or Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial settee crafted in mahogany with an ebonized finish. Featuring an elaborately carved floral crest with center sea shell, hand caned seat and back, floral carved arms ...
Cane
British Colonial Teakwood Sofa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique Anglo-Indian sofa crafted in teak wood with pegged construction carved and beaded frame, caned back and seat and Classic carved, turned legs.
Cane, Teak
Antique West Indies British Colonial Sofa or Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine British Colonial mahogany settee, from the West Indies, with dramatic acanthus carvings on the crest and arms with a caned back, sides and seat. Having turned legs on brass cast...
West Indies Style Sofa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial or West Indies style sofa crafted with mahogany and having a carved and beaded frame, elegant scrolled arms, hand caned back, arms,...
Antique British Colonial West Indies Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine antique British colonial settee with a graceful poetic form. The mahogany frame is beautifully carved with waves and seashells on paw feet. The back, seat, and arms are hand caned typical of tropical...