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.
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
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
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
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
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
Coastal British Colonial Style Tortoise Bamboo Etagere Bookcase Shelf Arched
Located in Southampton, NJ
A substantial 1960's vintage British Colonial style hand crafted bamboo étagère showcasing five wooden shelves, classic lattice fretwork and rich scorched tortoise finish. The arched...
Lacquer, Wood, Rattan, Bamboo
$5,895
H 40.25 in W 24 in D 10 in
Art Deco Bookcase or Display Cabinet of Burr Walnut with Paneled Glass Door
By Heal's
Located in Austin, TX
A fine period Art Deco Era display cabinet or bookcase from England, circa 1930s, featuring a beautiful veneer surround of burr walnut, with a paneled glass door and working lock and...
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Burl
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
Bamboo and Cane British Colonial Style Small Chest
By Ralph Lauren, Bloomingdale's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A versatile small three drawer chest / nightstand in the British colonial style. Compromised of bamboo skeleton and cane clad drawer fronts, sides, and top. Overall very good conditi...
Bamboo, Cane
$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
$1,250
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
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
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase circa 1900. Superb quality piece of Swedish made furniture with influences from Biedermeier and empire periods. Stepped top...
Birch
$2,119
H 27.56 in W 56.7 in D 11.23 in
Large Teakwood Italian Mid-Century Modern hanging shelf attributed to Isa
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This hanging shelf was produced in Italy around the 1950s. It is made from teakwood and remains in overall good condition. Shelf is part of a 1950s furniture made in part with furnit...
Teak
$3,960Sale Price|43% Off
H 93 in W 95 in D 22 in
Auffray & Co French Provincial Antique Distressed Style Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant French Provincial bookcase and china cabinet by Auffray & Co is a remarkable piece that captures the timeless sophistication ...
Oak
1980s British Colonial Faux Bamboo and Cane Tall Shelf
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Gorgeous tall shelf with a faux bamboo frame and cane shelves. Great size shelf could work in a variety of spaces. Nice coastal, British Colonial, and boho styling.
Faux Bamboo, Cane
$1,718Sale Price|34% Off
H 50.79 in W 27.96 in D 15.36 in
19th Century French Hand Carved Four Shelves Open Bookcase in Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French walnut hand carved four shelves open bookcase in Louis XV style. Massive and stable in very good condition. France, circa 1890.
Walnut
French Faux Bamboo Double-Door Bookcase Cabinet, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French faux bamboo bookcase cabinet crafted in beautifully figured blonde mahogany, dating to the turn of the 20th century. Rich in character yet refined in execution, the...
Glass, Hardwood
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
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