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British Colonial Bookcases

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
Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit
By Baker Furniture Company
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...
Category

1960s American Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit
Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit

Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit

$4,500
20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A 20th century British Colonial solid ebony two-door display cabinet, from Sri Lanka.
Category

20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Ebony

20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet

20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet

$6,800
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...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet
Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet

Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet

$15,256
Rare 1820s Caribbean Jamaican Regency Server or Wagon
Located in Charleston, SC
This beautiful, solid mahogany Jamaican bookcase/wagon, features lovely turnings, and Primitive feet. Jamaican, West indies, Colonial, British Colonial, Islands, Island.
Category

19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 1820s Caribbean Jamaican Regency Server or Wagon
Rare 1820s Caribbean Jamaican Regency Server or Wagon

Rare 1820s Caribbean Jamaican Regency Server or Wagon

$5,800
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage

20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage

$7,900 Sale Price
49% Off
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...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Teak

Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors

Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors

$2,500
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase

Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase

$1,750
Two Antique English Bookcases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Near pair of British colonial bookcases crafted in mahogany in a step down form with brass campaign style side handles, one lower drawer and turned legs on brass casters. From le...
Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Two Antique English Bookcases
Two Antique English Bookcases

Two Antique English Bookcases

$8,350 / set
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Bookcase
By Maitland Smith
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...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Faux Bamboo

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Bookcase
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Bookcase

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Bookcase

$4,200
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...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

19th Century British Colonial Shelf
19th Century British Colonial Shelf

19th Century British Colonial Shelf

$6,575
Related Items
French 19th Century Painted Pinewood Cabinet
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Charming, painted pinewood vitrine/display cabinet in two sections. The top section has glass panes and the lower section, two doors with diamond detail.
Category

19th Century French Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Pine

French 19th Century Painted Pinewood Cabinet
French 19th Century Painted Pinewood Cabinet

French 19th Century Painted Pinewood Cabinet

$4,069
H 94.49 in W 65.36 in D 25.6 in
Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage
By 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...
Category

1960s British Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage
Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage

Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage

$818
H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in
Early 1950s Scandinavian Double Wall Unit / Bookcase
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A beautifully designed mid-century modern wall unit from Sweden, dating back to the early 1950s. Materials: Teak veneer, golden teak, and beech supports Storage: Left cabinet: Four ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Early 1950s Scandinavian Double Wall Unit / Bookcase
Early 1950s Scandinavian Double Wall Unit / Bookcase

Early 1950s Scandinavian Double Wall Unit / Bookcase

$3,231 Sale Price
25% Off
H 45.67 in W 68.9 in D 16.54 in
20th Century Mahogany Display Cabinet, c. 1920
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century mahogany and glass display cabinet. The cabinet features double doors with two glass shelves inside, it h...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Pine

20th Century Mahogany Display Cabinet, c. 1920
20th Century Mahogany Display Cabinet, c. 1920

20th Century Mahogany Display Cabinet, c. 1920

$2,074
H 32.29 in W 31.89 in D 20.48 in
20th Century, Italian Production Wall Wooden Bookcase 60s
By Italian school XX ct.
Located in Turin, Turin
Wall Bookcase composed of just one bay with height-adjustable shelves. Designed and produced in Italy in the 60 s. The bookcase it is made of lacquered metal structure with brass bas...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Brass

20th Century, Italian Production Wall Wooden Bookcase 60s
20th Century, Italian Production Wall Wooden Bookcase 60s

20th Century, Italian Production Wall Wooden Bookcase 60s

$4,188
H 78.15 in W 25.6 in D 9.65 in
Antique French Gothic Bookcase Cabinet Bookshelf 2 Glass Doors Oak c. 1920s-30s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Gothic Style Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Glass Doors and Key~~c. 1920s~1930s PERFECT for your favorite antique books or collectibles 63.5" ...
Category

1920s French Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Antique French Gothic Bookcase Cabinet Bookshelf 2 Glass Doors Oak c. 1920s-30s
Antique French Gothic Bookcase Cabinet Bookshelf 2 Glass Doors Oak c. 1920s-30s

Antique French Gothic Bookcase Cabinet Bookshelf 2 Glass Doors Oak c. 1920s-30s

$3,700
H 63.5 in W 41 in D 15.5 in
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere, probably American, circa 1950s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a bookcase, etagere, or display case. The collection of Japanese bronzes se...
Category

1960s American Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere

Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere

$2,450
H 59.75 in W 40 in D 14 in
Fine Mid-Century Trumeau Bar Cabinet Attr. to Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Dry bar, walnut, Italy, 1940s Elegant Italian bar cabinet in walnut and ebonized wood, inside with Mosaic mirrored glass attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1940. Lower part with two draw...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Fine Mid-Century Trumeau Bar Cabinet Attr. to Paolo Buffa, 1950
Fine Mid-Century Trumeau Bar Cabinet Attr. to Paolo Buffa, 1950

Fine Mid-Century Trumeau Bar Cabinet Attr. to Paolo Buffa, 1950

$10,771
H 61.03 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Early 20th Century Mahogany Stacking Barrister Bookcase
By Globe Wernicke
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Mahogany stacking barrister bookcase with maple interiors. 3 storage sections with glass sliding up and in doors. Paneled sides, brass pull...
Category

1920s American Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Mahogany Stacking Barrister Bookcase
Early 20th Century Mahogany Stacking Barrister Bookcase

Early 20th Century Mahogany Stacking Barrister Bookcase

$1,295
H 42 in W 34.25 in D 14.25 in
Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
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...
Category

2010s Philippine British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall

Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall

$10,400 / item
H 86 in W 67 in D 18.25 in
Pair of Antique Bookcases Display Cabinets Painted Light Gray
Located in Round Top, TX
These exceptional bookcases are a tremendous find as it is difficult to find a matching pair. The professionally applied (newer) light gray and wh...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Pair of Antique Bookcases Display Cabinets Painted Light Gray
Pair of Antique Bookcases Display Cabinets Painted Light Gray

Pair of Antique Bookcases Display Cabinets Painted Light Gray

$8,575 / set
H 77 in W 50 in D 15.5 in
Regency Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome mahogany four shelved Regency etagere, square with single drawer beneath, on brass casters, smooth and carved stretchers connecting each level...
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Etagere
Regency Etagere

Regency Etagere

$2,250
H 59.5 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in
Previously Available Items
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
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo Three Tiered Folding Etagere
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo Three Tiered Folding Etagere

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo Three Tiered Folding Etagere

H 32 in W 22 in D 11 in
19th Century Oak Bookcase Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Surrey, BC
Beautiful heavy oak two piece cabinet with adjustable shelving, decorative panels and arched glass doors. This is a well built cabinet originally...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century Oak Bookcase Dry Bar Cabinet
19th Century Oak Bookcase Dry Bar Cabinet

19th Century Oak Bookcase Dry Bar Cabinet

H 92 in W 134 in D 19 in
Small Antique Bookcase
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Antique teak colonial bookcase. With 2 doors and an open part. Entirely in good condition. Origin: Colonial India Period: Approx. 1900 Size...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Small Antique Bookcase
Small Antique Bookcase

Small Antique Bookcase

H 71.26 in W 36.23 in D 13.78 in
Spindle Sided Mahogany Bookcase Shelves, 1970's
Located in Nantucket, MA
Three-tiered mahogany bookcase shelving with bobbin or spindle sides and finial tops. The shelves all have a scalloped-edged lip. 1950's Colonial British.
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Spindle Sided Mahogany Bookcase Shelves, 1970's
Spindle Sided Mahogany Bookcase Shelves, 1970's

Spindle Sided Mahogany Bookcase Shelves, 1970's

H 48 in W 46 in D 13 in
Ethan Allen British Colonial Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous British Colonial style lighted bookcase, display cabinet, or china cabinet By Ethan Allen, "British Classics" Collection. USA, late 2...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Ethan Allen British Colonial Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Ethan Allen British Colonial Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet

Ethan Allen British Colonial Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet

H 83.75 in W 47.25 in D 16.75 in
An Authentic British-Colonial Bookcase Made From Teakwood
Located in Chicago, IL
This solid teak bookcase was made around 1900 AD in Rangoon, Burma in the classic British style. We call these impressive pieces by different names; "British Colonial" , "Anglo-Indian" or even "British Raj" but they all refer to the superb solid wood furniture that was made from the early 1800's's to the 1960's in the former British colonies in Asia. During the British Empire in India and Burma (also known as the British Raj) much furniture was made according to British designs, substituting far superior native hardwoods like teak and rosewood for European ones. Teak had the added benefit of repelling insects and moisture, so it was very good for storage cabinets. For protection of books and documents, it was ideal as the subtle teak scent drove away moths as well as termites. After independence, many bookcases became mercantile cabinets, ideal for displaying imported boxed goods and keeping the packaging free of dust. This piece has been lovingly restored. All drawers and doors operate smoothly and handles have been cleaned. The piece has been re-stained and waxed and is ready for many more years of use. The piece has several distinctive features; first, the style is British but the construction technique is actually more Chinese, which is extraordinary. Most likely, the workshop that made it had access to immigrant Chinese carpenters. The mortise-and-tenon joinery is exquisite. Second, the mullions dividing the glass panes are sharply chiseled, giving the cabinet a more refined appearance than we expect from colonial pieces. Finally, the flush brass campaign pulls on the lower drawers add zest and style. Like most colonial bookcases, it comes in two easily separable parts. The piece is exceptionally well-proportioned and blends easily with modern decor. Just add old books, rare artifacts...
Category

Early 1900s Burmese Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

An Authentic British-Colonial Bookcase Made From Teakwood
An Authentic British-Colonial Bookcase Made From Teakwood

An Authentic British-Colonial Bookcase Made From Teakwood

H 78.75 in W 83 in D 15.5 in
Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case The display case has 3 Shelves and 1 Drawer at the bottom. Circa: 1900 Dimens...
Category

Early 1900s Thai Antique British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case
Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case

Antique Thai British Colonial Wood and Glass Display Case

H 63 in W 21.5 in D 20.5 in
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 1920's. During the late British empire in India and Burma much furniture was made in the Art Deco...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage

20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage

H 100 in W 60 in D 21 in
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Teak

20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage

20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage

H 102 in W 85.5 in D 21 in
Early 20th Century, Mahogany Three-Tier Shelf Étagère, Bobbin Spindle Bookcase
Located in Nantucket, MA
A large, three-tiered shelf, mahogany bookcase or étagère with hand turned bobbin spindles. Also carved fronts with a slight lip along all the edges kee...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century, Mahogany Three-Tier Shelf Étagère, Bobbin Spindle Bookcase
Early 20th Century, Mahogany Three-Tier Shelf Étagère, Bobbin Spindle Bookcase

Early 20th Century, Mahogany Three-Tier Shelf Étagère, Bobbin Spindle Bookcase

H 47 in W 47 in D 14 in
British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive cabinet comes in two parts; the top has three sets of glass pane doors that open to shelves on top and three sets of glass pane doors on the...
Category

20th Century Thai British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Teak

British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase
British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase

British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase

H 92.5 in W 132 in D 15 in
Impressive British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome British Colonial cabinet comes in two parts, the top having 4 glass doors that open up to shelves for ample storage over another set of 4 glass doors with additional sh...
Category

1930s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Teak

Impressive British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase
Impressive British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase

Impressive British Colonial Teak Wood Bookcase

H 91 in W 96 in L 91 in

British Colonial bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial bookcases made in a specific country, there are Asia, Southeast Asia, and Myanmar pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $612 and tops out at $11,500 while the average work can sell for $5,738.

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