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British Colonial Seating

BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE

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.

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Style: British Colonial
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 ...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

British Colonial Style Elm and Double Cane Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exquisitely hand crafted British Colonial style Elm & double cane bench. So many lovely details include distinctive wood grains, interesting design elements in the curvaceous crest ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Wood, Elm

Antique Early 20th Century Brtisih Colonial Oak Plantation Lounge Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing early 20th century British Colonial style plantation chair. Features an oak frame with traditional lounging back, downswept scrolled arms over reeded baluster supports co...
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Fabric, Oak

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.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

19th Century British Colonial Tea Plantation Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890 Rare Teak and leather lounge chair that was formerly used in a Tea Estate in India. Hand made with pull out leaves that transform into leg rests and can be tucked back ...
Category

1890s Indian Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Woven Reed Wingback Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of vintage British colonial style wingback armchairs upholstered in grass cloth or woven reed in classic comfortable form with a modern tropical twist, cotton cushion...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Wicker

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Vintage 80s McGuire Antalya Directors Style Dining or Occasional Chairs Rawhide
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Classic 1980s directors style McGuire dining or occasional armchairs with lattice style rawhide seats and backs. These rattan framed chairs with backrest and seat woven in ra...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Hide, Rattan

Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs. These are a pair of British Colonial Ceylonese satinwood and cane chairs. Made in the Late 19th in Ceylon (now Sri La...
Category

Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Satinwood

Lovely Painted Wicker Peacock Chair
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very pretty and excellent quality wicker peacock chair, very intricate work and in excellent overall condition. 44" high 28.5" wide 28" overall depth 18" seat height You are welc...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Seating

Materials

Wicker

20th C. Set of Four Nichols and Stone Mahogany Windsor Side Chairs by Stickley
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Set of Four Nichols and Stone Mahogany Windsor Style Side Chairs manufactured by Stickley in Manlius New York. Great vintage condition with clean line, solid wood p...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Wood

Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs; The Collection of Andre Leon Talley
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs w/ fitted upholstered seat cushion. Seat cushion is removable. From Andre Leon Talley's Collection. A striking pair of large wicker armchairs, meticul...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan

Pair of Leather Button Tufted Wingback British Colonial Style Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British colonial style wingback armchairs upholstered in lush brown leather in a classic elegant form and featuring button tufted backs, brass studs, and turned legs...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Leather

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...
Category

19th Century Bajan Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Mahogany

British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair A low comfortable reading chair made out of Mahogany and cane. Lovely carved details on arms, ba...
Category

20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Bamboo Lounge Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage lounge chair crafted with bent bamboo and woven rattan in an elegant modern form featuring pullout footrest and adjustable back. Extended depth 60".
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Pair of Antique Caned British Colonial Planters Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing pair of early 20th century British Colonial plantation chairs handcrafted in indigenous mahogany with elegant form featuri...
Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Seating

Materials

Satinwood

Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Hartville, 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.
Category

1990s American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Leather

Baker Furniture British Colonial Wicker and Bamboo Wing Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th Century Pair of Authentic Baker Furniture Rattan British Colonial Wingback Chairs. A rare find in such a well-preserved condition. Baker furniture in known for impeccable craft...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan

Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Armchairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Armchairs. Made of teak in the British East Indies
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

Vintage Brighton Chinoiserie Rattan Blonde Bamboo Caning Split Reed Armchair 70s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage blonde bamboo, caning and split reed armchair on six legs. This is a handcrafted chair with woven cane seat features bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The b...
Category

1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed

Early 20th Century Colonial Sri Lankan Satinwood Garden Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Hand-turned garden chair made of solid satinwood, Colonial, Sri Lanka, circa 1900. Hand-caned seat and back. Came from a British Military family in Sri Lanka. 40.25" overall height ...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Satinwood

Pair of Thai Rosewood Elephant Howdah Saddle Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of elephant saddle style chairs crafted with rosewood in a distinctive Thai form, hand carved depicting elephants, which are a symbol of fortune, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Seating

Materials

Rosewood

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...
Category

1820s Jamaican Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Muslin, Mahogany

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.
Category

1920s Indian Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

Pair of British Colonial Midcentury Plantation / Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of solid hard wood and caned British Colonial Plantation chairs, lounge chairs or armchairs. The chairs feature swing out extension arms. The construction is hand made w...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Hardwood

Antique plantation chair with handwoven cane and fold out footrests, circa 1920S
Located in Houston, TX
Antique plantation chair with handwoven cane and fold out footrests, circa 1920s(30s?). This reclining lounge chair has an adjustable rattan b...
Category

Mid-20th Century European British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

Antique British Colonial Anglo Indian Teak Split Reed Rattan Plantation Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century British Colonial Anglo Indian plantation chair. Made from teak in mortise and tenon joinery with a relaxed lounged frame and long arms. Features a curved crest rail and split reed bent rattan seat. There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a day's backbreaking work. In the 19th century, plantation owners used a specific chair. Called, naturally enough, the planter...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

Antique British Colonial Caned and Carved Planters Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive British Colonial plantation chair crafted in mahogany in a graceful form with dramatic carved ocean and floral motifs on the back and rolled ...
Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

French Antique Folding Chair, Campaign Safari
Located in Miami, FL
Wood and Black Faux Leather Antique Folding Chair, Made in France. Brass Hardware. Ready for a new home.
Category

1940s French Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Bamboo Rattan and Cane Lounge Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Organic Modern lounge chair By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection" Circa Late 20th Century Rattan frame in bamboo form, with cane seat and bac...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Cane

Antique Woven Back British Colonial Plantation Tea Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Woven Back British Colonial Plantation Tea Chair This late 19th Century antique British Colonial plantation tea chair is a great lounge ch...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Pair of 19th Century British Colonial Child's Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of 19th century British Colonial chairs made for children with cane seats, nicely carved arms and half-moon legs.
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Wood, Cane

British Colonial Handwoven Cane Turned Wood Spindle Frame Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
1950 refinished British Colonial handwoven Cane Chaise Lounge, Daybed or Sofa with turned Wood Frame and support Stretchers in brown Finish. Bohemian Chic Style with a graceful form ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, 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...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Wood

Vintage Ralph Lauren Home Tufted Leather Chaise
Located in Hartville, OH
Extraordinary Vintage Find. This spectacular example came to us having been well loved by a 4 legged family member. After years of daily enjoyment and much to our disappointment, the...
Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Leather

Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Indoor or outdoor British Colonial teak plantation or planters chair with cane seat and back. Wonderful weathered wood patina.
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
1930s Large Scale Carved Oak Arm Chair In Chinoiserie Palm Toile
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a charming carved oak arm chair with an English British Colonial toile. The frame is most likely American and dates to the early part of the 20th century. The fabric shows so...
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Stickley Lancashire Style Cherry Wood Spindle Dining Chairs With Rush Seats
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of six Lancashire style dining chairs By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, 1954 Solid carved cherry wood frames, with rush seats. Measures: Side chairs - 21.13"W x 18.75...
Category

1950s American Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Rush, Cherry

Set of Four Burnt Bamboo Tortoise Folding Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very good set of four British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Tortoise folding chairs. Well constructed and sturdy. An additional set of four is also available for purchase.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Vintage Tufted Leather Reclining Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style chaise lounge with tufted leather upholstery featuring an adjustable reclining back, brass tacks and turned legs with brass casters. H: 35 W: 70 D: 2...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Seating

Materials

Brass

19th Century Colonial Mahogany Plantation Lounge Cane Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th-century traditional Anglo-Indian Colonial plantation chair, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid mahogany wood with a carved crown...
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Pair Brighton Pavillon Burnt Bamboo Cane Chairs Pale Blue Cushions
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this A pair of late early 20th century bamboo open armchairs in the Brighton Pavilion Taste each with an inserted black and gold lacquered figurative panel. New French Pale B...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Lacquer

British Colonial Style Plantation Lounge Chair with Ottoman
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair with matching ottoman made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chair features a gracefully carved teak frame with large scrolled ar...
Category

20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Teak

Bamboo and Rattan Chair and Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage British colonial style chair and ottoman crafted with a bamboo frame and having herringbone woven rattan on the seat, arms and ottoman, ce...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Mid-20th Century Rattan Tub Side Chairs by Lewittes- Pair New Uphol/refinished
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Introducing an exquisite pair of vintage mid-20th century rattan tub side chairs by Lewittes, beautifully refinished to bring out their intricate rattan craftsmanship. Each chair is ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Seating

Materials

Rattan

Vintage British Colonial Style Zebra Safari Folding Stool or Seat
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century British colonial style stool with a zebra hide seat fitted to three folding ebonized legs with brass feet. As seen in the last photo of the listing, a similar stool is al...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Seating

Materials

Zebra Hide

1970's Sculpted Cane & Rattan Bar Stools, 6 available
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Sculpted twisted cane & rattan counter height bar stools. Solid and very comfortable. They swivel in the center. Made in colonial Tiawan, circa 1970's. They show little to no wear at...
Category

1970s Taiwanese Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Rattan

Rupert Bevan Croft Bar Stool (in customer's own choice of material/leather)
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our Croft Dining Chair, the Croft Bar Stool was created to give the design versatility, allowing the piece to move seamlessly between the dining room and into the bar. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak, Upholstery

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Rattan, Smoked Glass

Pair of Folding Tripod Stools in Oakwood and Leather
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant pair of turned oak Campaign tripod stools with leather folding seats. England, 1930s. These folding stools feature a turned oak's wood tripod foldable structure. They have a...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak, Wood

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...
Category

1950s Vintage British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Wood

Pair of English Armchairs in Velvet and Walnut Wood
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous pair of velvet armchairs of English manufacture of the late 1800s. The beautiful armchairs have a walnut wood structure and have been lined with sand colored velvet tending...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Late 19th C. English Mahogany Chaise with Heavy Woven Guatemalan Fabric
Located in North Miami, FL
An early 19th century antique sculptural mahogany chaise lounge with turned wood stretchers and elegantly curved backrest. The heavy woven fabric is new and provides an additional p...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century English Bergeres
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century English Bergeres in carved and turned mahogany wood, stuffed in green velvet with casters. Little defects. Dimensions: 80 x 66 x 54 cm. good condition.
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Wood

19th Century Tufted Leather Foot Stool or Bench, with Raising Capabilities
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a fine, 19th century, brown leather, button tufted foot stool with mahogany frame and brass tacks over turned legs and brass wheels. Having t...
Category

1860s British Antique British Colonial Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Teak and Cane Colonial Chaise Lounge
Located in Highland, IN
This striking chaise is long, lean and luxurious. A teak frame with lovely carved details and a woven cane support offers a platform for lounging, reading and relaxing. Made more comfortable by a beautiful woven quilted pad and pillow. This exceptional piece strikes a balance between antique and...
Category

Early 20th Century European British Colonial Seating

Materials

Cane, Teak

Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in the garden, on a porch or patio. The rustic antique teakwood bench...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Seating

Materials

Teak

British Colonial seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, natural fiber and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Andrianna Shamaris, Baker Furniture Company, Dr. Pascaud, and English School. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $52,000 while the average work can sell for $3,694.

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