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 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
Early 20th-C. British Colonial Heavily Carved Oak Sideboard / Server
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Love this piece! This is an early 20th century heavily carved oak British colonial server. The apron has stand out detail with it’s plethera of carved lion busts...
Oak
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Antique English Two Piece Walnut Buffet Storage Cabinet or Book Shelf
Located in Seattle, WA
Antique English Two Piece Walnut Buffet Storage Cabinet or Book Shelf.
Walnut
$3,980Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.54 in W 74.61 in D 20.48 in
Early 20th Carved Walnut Sideboard with Four Doors and Two Drawers and Crest
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th carved walnut sideboard with four doors and two drawers Elaborate carved walnut sideboard from Spain is topped with a wood top. Two do...
Walnut
Sideboard Walnut Carved
Located in Toronto, CA
Walnut sideboard three drawers and four doors, carved pillars and back splash.
Walnut
$2,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 95.5 in W 59.5 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Walnut Buffet Cabinet Cupboard Hutch 96"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Renaissance / Henry II style walnut buffet a deux corps / vaisselier / cupboard / cabinet / hutch featuring Neoclassical carved f...
Walnut
$2,780
H 30.71 in W 38.98 in D 11.82 in
19th Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Drawer Credenza or Buffet
Located in Miami, FL
From Northern Spain, constructed of solid walnut, the rectangular top with molded edge atop a conforming case housing two drawers over two doors, the doors paneled with solid walnut,...
Iron
$2,775
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 15.56 in
19th Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Drawer Credenza or Buffet
Located in Miami, FL
From Northern Spain, constructed of solid walnut, the rectangular top with molded edge atop a conforming case housing two drawers over two doors, the doors paneled with solid walnut,...
Iron
$2,495
H 40.25 in W 55.25 in D 26 in
Antique French Louis XV Provincial Carved Walnut Buffet Sideboard Cabinet 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very good antique French Provincial carved walnut buffet cabinet, circa 1820. The buffet having a molded edge with two drawers below each with a iron lozenge shaped lockplate, belo...
Walnut
$4,785
H 35.04 in W 51.19 in D 12.6 in
19th Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Drawer Credenza or Buffet
Located in Miami, FL
From Northern Spain, constructed of solid walnut, the rectangular top with molded edge atop a conforming case housing two drawers over two doors, the doors paneled with solid walnut,...
Iron
$8,400
H 82.5 in W 50.5 in D 21 in
19th Century French Antique Vaisselier - Two Door Oakwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French Vaisselier made of hand crafted Oakwood, in good condition. The word Vaisselier refers to a piece of furniture for storing ...
Oak
19th Century Country English Provincial Pine Sideboard Server
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive 19th century country English provincial sideboard server, buffet, or cupboard crafted from pine. Perfectly sized chest of drawers that is very versatile with small enough ...
Brass
$4,300
H 38.5 in W 57 in D 22.25 in
Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Harvest Cabinet Black Forest Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" "Harvest" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one ...
Oak
$7,180Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 68.71 in D 25.4 in
Antique Carved Walnut French Provincial Large Buffet or Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Grand antique French walnut Louis XIV buffet ~ Sideboard is a masterpiece of the cabinetmaker's art. Rendered from sumptuous walnut, it features an intriguing design that comprises t...
Walnut
$7,200
H 43.31 in W 78.75 in D 19.69 in
French 1950s Natural Oak Sideboard with Intricate Carved Panels
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry This exceptional solid oak sideboard, discove...
Oak
French Vintage Tortoise Faux Bamboo Console-Sideboard-70s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Vintage Tortoise Faux Bamboo Console - Sideboard from the 70s This Faux Bamboo Buffet is both - practical and pretty. Beautifully wrapped Wickerwork Drawers and Sides - encase...
Faux Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
Sold
H 41.5 in W 72 in D 22 in
20th Century Ralph Lauren British Colonial Mahogany Buffet Sideboard or Server
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive late 20th Century large-scale mahogany British Colonial inspired server or sideboard. Features a rectangular form topped with an elegant gallery over three drawers. The...
Mahogany
Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Credenza or Sideboard
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style bow front buffet with plenty of storage and high decorative appeal having a burnt bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around under geometric bamboo designs.
Grasscloth, Reed
Antique English Oak Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, circa 1800
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique sideboard buffet or bar cabinet England, circa 1800 Oak, with original brass hardware. Measures: 43.75" W x 18" ...
Brass
Vintage Flame Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard Buffet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mahogany bow front sideboard or buffet server, circa 1940s. The sideboard features stunning flame mahogany wood grain with a bow Front Design and original brass hardware. ...
Brass
Sold
H 35.13 in W 78.75 in D 26.75 in
Antique English Sheraton Inlaid Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard, circa 1820
Located in South Bend, IN
A truly rare and exceptional English Sheraton bow-fronted mahogany sideboard, circa 1820. The sideboard features stunning flame mahogany and birch wood grain, inlaid with chequer pat...
Birch, Mahogany
Midcentury Bamboo and Wicker Cabinet or Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual asymmetrical server featuring a bamboo frame wrapped at the corners with reed. The bar is complete with herringbone bamboo panels throughout, bun feet, and plenty of storage.
Bamboo, Reed
Sold
H 38.25 in W 67.5 in D 26 in
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Inlaid Satinwood and Mahogany Sideboard
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional flame mahogany and inlaid satinwood banded bow front sideboard or credenza from the Historic Charleston Collection by Baker Furniture. The sideboard features gorgeous ...
Brass
Sold
H 37.5 in W 76 in D 20.75 in
John Widdicomb Banded Inlaid Mahogany and Satinwood Federal Style Sideboard
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding banded and inlaid mahogany and satinwood Federal style sideboard by John Widdicomb. The sideboard features stunning wood grain, an ornate inlaid wood design, unique bo...
Brass
British Colonial Buffet with Glass Pane Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome buffet with glass pane doors puts a stately spin on the rich heritage of British Colonial design. Whether needed to house a collection of eleg...
Teak
British Colonial Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome cabinet comes in two parts, the top having a stepped cornice over two sets of glazed doors and the lower section featuring two pairs of solid wood doors. Both open to c...
Teak
Ebonized Two-Tier Cane Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Sleek Mid-Century ebonized bar or server with a brass gallery and two caned service surfaces under glass. Having two doors that are lockable in front with plenty of storage. This cab...