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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
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 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
$15,900
H 119.5 in W 71 in D 28 in
Large 19th Century French Directoire Period Painted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Located in Birmingham, AL
This exceptional mid-19th century French Directoire period painted bookcase or display cabinet from Gordes, circa early 1800s, embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of its era. Han...
Wood
Early 19th Century Regency Estate Cabinet
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century Regency mahogany estate cabinet, the stepped moulded cornice with beading surmounted with pierced broken swan neck pediment raised over two period bevel mirrored d...
Mahogany
$3,000
H 80 in W 42 in D 13.5 in
Danish Modern Mid century Rosewood Tall Large Wall Floor Bookcase shelf unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful simple Danish modern mid century rosewood large Tall wall floor bookcase on tapered legs. Has adjustable shelves. Amazing rosewood grain! In great vintage condition, circa ...
Rosewood
19th Century Swedish Faux Paint Pine Country Shelf
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish country shelf from the village Fåker in Jämtland, which is a province in Sweden. The shelf is solid pine with untouched original faux paint. Made around 1820 to 1840. The paint has some distress, especially on the sides. It's unusual to find a free standing book shelf...
Pine
$5,600 / set
H 72 in W 30 in D 18 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Burl Wood Etageres, Wall Unit or Book Shelves
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning transitional pair of matching shelving units from the 1970's. They feature burl wood with a decorative lattice work. Price includes the p...
Wood, Burl
$1,850
H 57.75 in W 31 in D 11.75 in
19th Century Mahogany Barley Twist Etagere, Five Tier, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century five tier graduated etagere / shelf with barley twist legs topped with hand carved finials. Each shelf is backed with carved stop.
Mahogany
$3,900
H 80 in W 33.25 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Etagere or Shelving Wall Unit in Oak & Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A 1970's retro classic etagere. It consists of oak bentwood framing with clear glass shelves. Overall in very good condition.
Glass, Oak
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...
Brass
$4,800
H 79 in W 35 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Tricom Italian Etagere or Wall Unit after Milo Baughman
By Tricom, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large symmetrical chrome and glass etagere in the style of Milo Baughman. It features a heavy chrome frame with clear rectangular sized glass shelves.
Chrome
20th Century, Italian Production Wall Wooden Bookcase 60s
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...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Sheraton Style Walnut Open Bookcase 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful Vintage open bookcase in the Sheraton style, dating from the late 20th Century. The bookcase has five adjustable shelves and is made from walnut with superb sati...
Walnut
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...
Mahogany
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
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
A Tall British Colonial 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...
Glass, Teak