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
Mid-20th Century Restored Coastal Brighton Pavilion Bamboo Cane Side Chairs-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
This exquisite pair of Brighton Pavilion-style armchairs showcases intricate bamboo fretwork, gracefully curved arms, and a warm tortoise finish.
The caned seats add texture and craf...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating
Materials
Bamboo
Vintage Pair of British Colonial Style Wingback Chairs by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style pair of wingback or porter's chairs handcrafted in hardwood featuring a faux tortoise finish, double caned back and sides, reed wrapped joints and scrolled fee...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating
Materials
Cane, Reed
Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
By Ralph Lauren
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
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
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
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 British Colonial Style Plantation Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chairs with matching ottomans made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs feature a gracefully carved teak frame with large s...
Category
20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Seating
Materials
Cane, Teak
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs; The Collection of Andre Leon Talley
By Ralph Lauren
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
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
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
By Ralph Lauren
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
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
Theodore Alexander pair of swivel barstools in fine burgundy leather
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Vintage, Theodore Alexander domed back barstools with flared arms, 12 tufted buttons ,in fine burgundy leather, the frames are mahogany with nice carved detail.. in almost...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Seating
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
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 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
Regency Style Anglo Indian Chair
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A well proportioned Anglo Indian armchair. Hand craved out of rosewood, the chair carved with rosettes and the back rest is carved is the form of horns. The seat is woven cane and u...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Cane, Teak
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
Carved Mahogany and Caned Recamier or Daybed with Cushion
Located in Nantucket, MA
A mahogany and caned recamier or daybed with carving on both sides, a caned rolled end, and reeded legs. The caning is newly done and in a very tight wov...
Category
Mid-20th Century 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
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
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
Rupert Bevan Croft dining chair (in customer's own choice of material/leather)
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our signature Croft dining chair sits comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings, with its generous seat and elegant backrest. Legs and frame in solid oak with a light...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Seating
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Pair of 19th Century English Bergeres
By Europa
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
Early 19th Century Masonic Lodge Ceremonial Throne Chair with Magic Symbols
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Masonic Lodge Ceremonial Throne Chair, with carved & painted magical and occult symbols.
Amazing, unique and very large (2 meter +) early 19th century Masonic Lodge ‘Senior Wardens’ ceremonial ritual chair, with hand painted and elaborately carved magical symbols.
The shaped top rail above elaborately shaped and painted back slats with swept arms and square sectioned legs united by stretchers, with carpeted steps.
The back has various figures painted by hand, a five pointed pentagram star within a circle, three circles interfaced with a triangle, a Odd Fellows skull coffin with emblem of mortality, a cock, a man dressed as a Knight Templar of the period and beneath the lower panel of the chair is depicted a lamb bearing a flag, a cross with a serpent entwined, a ladder resting against a cross with a sword and sceptre behind, the hole surmounted by a crown.
There are two inscriptions in cipher on the chair which when decoded read 'In This Sign Thou Shalt Conquer' and 'Establish',
Provenance: Lodge of Charity - Farnworth East Lancs Masonic Lodge, No.350.
One online feature (see photo) mentions the chairs were purchased 2nd hand by the Lodge over 200 years ago, which dates them to Circa 1800 - 1820.
Unique and very special Masonic chair...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
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 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
English Tortoise Burnt Bamboo Stool or Low Side Table, circa 1960’s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1960’s Tortoise Burnt Bamboo Stool Side Table, England.
Elegant and sturdy stool with both form and function. Versatile piece that looks wonderful ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English 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
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
Luxurious 2.5-seater sheep leather sofa with fabric cushions in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheep leather 2.5-seater sofa exudes luxury and offers amazing seating comfort. The sofa comes with original loose seat and decorative cushions. The detachable armrest...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Seating
Materials
Leather, Textile
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
Campeche Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair and ottoman, made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs features large scrolled arms with caned seat and ottoman. The chairs have a des...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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
1970's Sculpted Cane & Rattan Bar Stools, 6 available
By Mcquire
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
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
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
Handsome oversized tufted leather ottoman/trunk after Ralph Lauren
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome large oversized leather tufted library ottoman. The tufted ottoman features a beautiful olive green leather on the top and opens up ...
Category
1990s Chinese British Colonial Seating
Materials
Wood
Faux Bamboo and leather folding officer safari chair.
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Mid century Faux Bamboo and leather British colonial officers folding chair.
Expertly crafted Faux Bamboo, brass hardware and stitched leather ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Materials
Brass
Vintage Ficks and Reed Rattan Chaise Lounge
By Ficks Reed
Located in Bellport, NY
A newly upholstered Ficks and Reed chaise longue, indoor outdoor fabric, new fill in cushions, zippers installed. Lovely condition, easily placed in mos...
Category
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan, Paint
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
Pair of Painted Caned Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Lounge Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tub style lounge chairs in the British Colonial style, each having a white-painted, molded frame of faux bamboo surrounding thye caned back and sides, its bowed crestrail dow...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
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
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
Vintage Brighton Chinoiserie Rattan Blonde Bamboo Caning Split Reed Armchair 70s
By Brighton Pavilion 1
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
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
Victoria Chair with Tassel Foot, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in San Marino, CA
Our Victoria chair with tassel foot detailing in our ebonized finish with a light distress, inspired by an original Swedish 1930s Art Deco pair we f...
Category
2010s American British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage British Colonial Plantation Ladder Back Rush Armchairs Pair
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful pair of British Colonial plantation armchairs with tall ladder back and natural woven Rush seating, Circa 1960's. Oak or Mohogany.
Except...
Category
1960s British Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Rush, Oak
Danish child chair 1930s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tiny child chair in stained pine. With the right amount of patina.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Pine
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
19th Century Jamaican Campeche / Planter Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant British Colonial 1810-1830 Campeche chair is made of solid mahogany and was known in Jamaica as a Spanish chair in the period. This West Indies Planter chair...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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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