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.
$4,420Sale Price / set|35% Off
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...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Maitland-Smith Colonial Wingback Swan Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Sarasota, FL
A set of four British colonial style rattan and silk wingback chairs by Maitland Smith. Gracefully curved bamboo frames are decorated with metal swan necks in a bronze finish at the ...
Metal
2000s Old Hickory Tannery Brown Leather Wingback Chairs Cabriole Legs - a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of Old Hickory Tannery wingback chairs circa-2000s. The set exemplifies timeless craftsmanship with a refined traditional silhouette. Upholstered ...
Leather, Hardwood
Original Walnut Wing Chair, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original walnut wing chair, circa 1900. Armchair reupholstered and refinished a short time ago, small stains on the fabric.
Walnut
Southwood Crewel Wingback Chair
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a vintage Southwood Crewel Wingback Chair in excellent original, as found, condition. Both elegant and incredibly detailed this...
Fabric, Wood
$8,297 / set
H 43.9 in W 28.75 in D 31.11 in
Regency circa 1815 Fluted Barrel Back Leather Wing Armchair and Matching Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original hand dyed Regency circa 1815 fluted barrel back armchair and matching footstool A lovely pair and of the finest quality ...
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage Leather Wing Chair
Located in New York, NY
Chic vintage Chippendale style leather wing chair, offered in as found condition. This example is structurally sound and sturdy, the leather upholstery shows significant cosmetic wea...
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century George III Wing Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George III mahogany upholstered wing chair, the shaped back with outscrolled wings raised above padded arms with reeded terminals with flower head motif raised ove...
Mahogany
Antique Blue Leather Wingback Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Generously proportioned antique wingchair with Mahogany frame and original blue leather upholstery. Serpentine top above a deep back, upholstered scroll arms with nail head detail th...
Metal
$1,950
H 50 in W 33.5 in D 30 in
Vintage Cream on Cream Jacquard Weave Upholstered Wingback Chair on Cabriole Leg
Located in Louisville, KY
This classically elegant tall wingback chair is sleek and more narrow than the average wingback. Sitting on cabriole legs in the front and arched squared rear feet, the beauty of thi...
Cotton, Satin, Mahogany
Chippendale Wingback Chairs Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Mahogany, Cotton
Fritz Hansen Model 1672 Sheepskin Wing Chair, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in London, England
Fritz Hansen - Model 1672 Wing Chair A large wing chair produced in Denmark in the 1940s by manufacturers Fritz Hansen. The square beech wood legs have been stained and oiled and th...
Sheepskin, Beech
$5,324
H 38.5 in W 29.5 in D 26.75 in
18thC Walnut period Wing Armchair reupholstered, English George 1st Ca 1720
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very fine quality English, walnut, wing arm chair from the early years of the 18th century, George the first period, circa 1720. Chairs from this very early Georgian perio...
Upholstery, Walnut
$7,800 / set
H 40.5 in W 32.5 in D 32 in
Pair of English Georgian Cigar Leather Wingback Library Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distressed pair of 19th century English Georgian wingback library chairs. The distinctive pair of armchairs feature a mahogany frame covered with faded cigar leather having brass tac...
Brass
$9,800
H 50.5 in W 38 in D 34 in
English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Ball & Claw Wing Back Chair, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany upholstered wing back chair with serpentine back, flared wings, flanking scrolled arms, removable seat cushion, shell and floral carved knees, and termin...
Suede, Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
Leather Wingback Chair
Located in Delft, NL
A leather wingback chair A late 19th Century wingback chair in raw leather upholstery with dark oak Queen Anne front legs and straight oak rear legs. The bottom of the chair is we...
Leather, Oak
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...
Wicker
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...
Cane, Reed
Sold
H 43 in W 32 in D 32.5 in
Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC Measures -...
Upholstery
Pair of British Colonial Style Wingback Armchairs by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British Colonial style wingback armchairs crafted with woven reed, in a herringbone pattern over classic form with bamboo legs and stretchers. Signed Milling Road fo...
Bamboo, Wicker, Reed
Sold
H 46.5 in W 32.5 in D 32 in
Pair 1970s Lane Venture Carved Faux Bamboo Handwoven Caning Wingback Chairs USA
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of British Colonial Style Lane Venture Bamboo, Faux Bamboo and handwoven double Caning Wingback Chairs. Large Lounge Chairs in Bohemian Period Style with a thick Leather Seat Cu...
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Fabric, Bamboo, Leather
Maitland-Smith British Colonial Style Wingback Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage stylized tropical wingback chair with a faux tortoise frame crafted in hardwood, double caned sides and back, upholstered seat, reed wrapped joints and rolled feet.
Cane, Hardwood
Elegant Brown Leather Wingback Chesterfield Sofa, England, 1940
Located in Brussels, BE
Fine British three seats wingback Chesterfield sofa. Patinated brown leather, England, around 1940-1950.
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Midcentury Wicker Wingback Armchairs by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of wingback armchairs with a Classic form crafted in wicker or reed in a herringbone pattern. The legs and stretchers are bamboo. Signed Baker on the bottoms.
Wicker
Pair of Leather Wingback Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British colonial wingback chairs upholstered in soft comfortable tan leather highlighted with brass studs and set on Classic Chippendale style legs.
Leather
Pair of British Colonial Wicker and Bamboo Wing Chairs by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury British colonial wing chairs with a classic form and bold scale crafted in wicker or grasscloth with removable linen cushions and bamboo splayed legs.
Bamboo, Wicker
Baker Furniture Wingback Lounge Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous wingback lounge chair by Baker Furniture. The chair features solid mahogany tapered legs, scrolled arms, and beautiful original upholstery in cream with pink stripes. A ve...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Baker Furniture Wingback Lounge Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of wingback lounge chairs by Baker Furniture. The chairs feature solid mahogany tapered legs, scrolled arms and beautiful original upholstery in cream with pink strip...
Upholstery, Mahogany