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.
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
A British Colonial Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome 2-part British Colonial bookcase is made from Burmese teak and dates to the 19th century. The piece defined by its strong proportions, restrained detailing, and rich, t...
Teak
$7,900Sale Price|49% Off
20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressively-scaled book cabinet was made from solid Teak wood and dates to the 1940's. During the late British empire in India and Burma much furniture was made in the Art Deco...
Teak
French Louis Philippe Solid Carved Maple Bookcase or Media Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous British Colonial or French Louis Philippe style two-piece bookcase, display cabinet, or media cabinet USA, Late 20th Century Carved solid maple, with glass front doors a...
Brass
19th Century British Colonial Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century British Colonial shelf made from teak. There are tall hand turned finials on the top over three shelves, all with scalloped galleries...
Teak
Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage teakwood low bookcase / display cabinet with sliding glass doors This vintage teak bookcase or display cabinet was handmade i...
Glass, Teak
British Colonial Carved Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous British Colonial or French Louis Philippe style four-piece lighted breakfront bookcase, display cabinet, or media cabinet USA, Circa Late 20th Century Carved cherry wood...
Brass
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Bookcase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style bookcase or etagere featuring a faux bamboo frame, tooled leather panels on the sides, shelves, and drawer fronts having classic lion head hardware...
Faux Bamboo
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase Store books and display your treasured items with this functional and charmingly crafted teak bookcase. This pi...
Glass, Wood, Teak
British Colonial Hutch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century cabinet with two glazed doors above, two drawers and two doors below with solid, raised, panels. Nicely made with through-tenon construction. Great patina.
Hardwood
$10,400 / item
H 86 in W 67 in D 18.25 in
Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
Located in Suwanee, GA
This a traditional mahogany breakfront bookcase or china cabinet with four doors by Leighton Hall. It features four bottom doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and straight grain mahogany borders. The top four doors feature grills with individually paned glass. The drawers are masterfully dovetailed and the drawer boxes are made of oak. The hardware is solid brass. The cabinet has dimmable lighting and mortised door locks. Each section has multiple adjustable 3/8 in. glass shelves. It has a hand rubbed satin finish. This cabinet is an excellent compliment to our custom mahogany dining tables...
Mahogany
$3,250
H 58.25 in W 62.25 in D 18.25 in
20th Century Walnut Bookcase Display Cabinet with Turned Columns
Located in Round Top, TX
Small walnut display cabinet crafted in dark walnut. The bookcase features turned column details flanking three doors. The upper door panels contain beveled glass, allowing for clear...
Glass, Walnut
20th Century Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality four door breakfront bookcase of small proportions. The top of the bookcase has four glazed doors each opening to reveal adjustable shelves. Below this, in...
Mahogany
$3,429
H 59.06 in W 62.41 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Glass Sliding Doors, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco bookcase or display cabinet. Striking Dutch design from the 1930s. Solid oak and original oak veneer base with original lacquered nicely shaped wooden k...
Glass, Macassar, Oak
$644Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage
Located in Leicester, GB
We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. Shipping to the US £450 in a custom made crate A beautiful long slim gla...
Hardwood
$875Sale Price|30% Off
H 40 in W 36 in D 12 in
Vintage Early American Colonial Style Low Profile Scalloped Pine Bookcase Shelf
Located in Dayton, OH
This Early American style bookcase captures the warm, utilitarian charm of traditional colonial-era craftsmanship. Built from solid wood with a rich, honey-amber stain, the piece hig...
Pine
Grand Scale Mahogany Custom Bookcase with Leaded Glass Sliding Doors
Located in Milford, NH
A fine large two-door bookcase with sliding leaded glass doors and adjustable shelves, originally a built-in floor to ceiling piece, with a cut-in on the left side, built around heat...
Glass, Mahogany
$13,050
H 77.75 in W 71.75 in D 13.5 in
Late 19th C. Swedish Gustvian Bookcase Display Cabinet with Upper Glass Doors
Located in Round Top, TX
Elegant and stately Swedish Gustavian style display cabinet or bookcase in two sections standing over 6' tall and just under 6' wide. Lovely curved latticework embellish the glass pa...
Glass, Wood, Pine, Paint
Danish Cabinet w/ Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century Danish made wall unit features a two door cabinet base with bookcase above. Two piece unit that is small in width but offers ample storage. Please confirm location w...
Teak
$2,092
H 93.71 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Dutch Wooden Bookcase with Shelf and Cabinets, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Danish mahogany self-supporting wood bookcase with a solid black steel frame.
Iron
Vintage Danish Modern Teak Bookcase Cabinet Sliding Doors MCM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Danish Modern cabinet/bookcase crafted in teak with clean Scandinavian lines and elegant tapered legs. This versatile mid-century piece features an open upper shelf...
Teak
A Britsh Colonial Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome British Colonial book cabinet was made in Rangoon, Burma, and dates to the early 1900's. It comes in two parts; both the top and bottom section have hinged outer doors ...
Teak
A British Colonial Teakwood Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
A handsome British Colonial bookcase, crafted in solid teakwood and designed with classic glass-paneled doors for displaying books and cherished objects. Divided into upper and lower...
Teak
Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet circa 1880. Here we offer a fine example of where English regency style furniture...
Glass, Hardwood
Sold
H 73.25 in W 42.25 in D 13.5 in
Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English Regency style etagère, bookcase, wall unit, or room divider By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous carved rosewood, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Brass
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo Three Tiered Folding Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style mid century etagere crafted in bamboo with three woven rattan shelves featuring an ingenious folding option. H: 32 W: 22 D: 11 Folded depth: 4
Bamboo, Rattan
Antique British Colonial Style Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome antique British Colonial style etagere crafted in mahogany with a sea shell carved gallery over four shelves on turned supports and legs.
Mahogany
A British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
Located in Chicago, IL
This large antique book cabinet was made from solid teak wood and dates to the early 1900's. During the British Empire in India and Burma much furniture was made in the Anglo-Indian ...
Teak
A Teak Wood Bookshelf
Located in Chicago, IL
This open antique bookshelf was made from solid teak wood and dates to the 19th Century. During the British Empire in India and Burma much furniture...
Teak
A British Colonial Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This large antique book cabinet was made from solid teak wood, lacquered black and dates to the early 1900's. During the British Empire in India ...
Glass, Teak
A British Colonial Bookshelf
Located in Chicago, IL
This open large antique book cabinet was made from solid teak wood and dates to the 19th Century. During the British Empire in India and Burma mu...
Glass, Teak
A British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This large antique book cabinet was made from solid teak wood and dates to the early 1900's. During the British Empire in India and Burma much fu...
Teak
A British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This monumental antique book cabinet was made from solid teak wood and dates to the early 1900's. During the time of the British Empire in India ...
Glass, Teak