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.
Vintage Tortoise or Scorched Bamboo Woven Rattan Two-Door Wall Cabinet, 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A wonderfully decorative vintage two-door cabinet crafted with tortoise-finished bamboo (or burnt bamboo) and tightly woven rattan, dating approximately to the 1970s. The cabinet fe...
Metal
American Colonial Walnut Salesman Sample Apothecary Cupboard Display Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Small Antique American Colonial Primitive Walnut Salesman Sample Apothecary Cupboard Display Cabinet with 3 Drawers, Glass Doors, and Blue Painted Interior. Circa Mid 19th Century. M...
Glass, Walnut
Ceylonese British Colonial Style Satinwood Ebony Mahogany Hutch Cupboard Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Ceylonese British Colonial Style Satinwood Ebony Mahogany Hutch Cupboard Cabinet. Item features beautiful satinwood, ebony, and mahogany wood, 3 dovetail constructed drawers,...
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
Vintage Tortoise Bamboo Wall Cabinet with Mirror, Aesthetic Movement Style
Located in Southampton, NJ
A delightful vintage tortoise bamboo single door wall cabinet with mirror, accented with grass cloth surround and one shelf. A marvelous option for Coastal settings with an appreciat...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Vintage Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet The cabinet has 2 Doors and 3 Shelves. This cabinet was made in Thailand.
Glass, Wood, Teak
$3,200Sale Price|44% Off
British Colonial Teak Wood Display Counter
Located in Chicago, IL
This teak wood display counter was once found in a retail store in Rangoon, Burma. It dates to the early 20th century, c. 1910. During the colonial era, business boomed throughout w...
Glass, Teak
18th Century English Oak Linen Press Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Handcrafted in England during the 18th century, this impressive antique linen press embodies the enduring beauty, strength and practicality of traditional English country furniture. ...
Brass
Campaign-Style Chest by Beacon Hill Collection
By Beacon Hill
Located in Norwood, NJ
A finely crafted campaign-style chest by the Beacon Hill Collection, circa 1960s–70s. Made in three stacking sections, this piece draws inspiration from 19th-century British military...
Brass
Teak Museum Display Cabinet
Located in Topanga, CA
A gorgeous teak museum display cabinet featuring glass panels on the sides and a pair of sliding glazed doors at the front. The cabinet has a wooden back panel and sturdy shelves in...
Teak
Tall British Colonial Cabinet w/Ventilated Door Fronts, Early 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial two-door storage cabinet from the early 20th century. This antique Anglo-Indian British Colonial Cabinet from India has been crafted from a tropical hardwood ...
Wood
British Colonial Carved Claw Foot China Cabinet
Located in Franklin Park, IL
British Colonial Carved Claw Foot China Cabinet This china cabinet measures: 62.5 wide x 19 deep x 66.75 inches high We take our photos in a ...
Glass, Wood
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
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Vintage English Walnut Buffet Cabinet with Casters
Located in Seattle, WA
English buffet with marble top and 2 doors. The handles and escutcheons are bronze. It rests on four tapered legs that ends in casters. Dimensions. Approx 36 W ; 30 H ; 19 D.
Mahogany
Antique English Campaign Anglo Indian Teak Brass Inlay Military Chest of Drawers
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Anglo Indian / English Campaign Military Officers Chest. Made from teak with brass inlay along the top, hand dovetailed drawers, brass banded corners and brass drawer pulls....
Brass
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet - Pair This british colonial tall and thin display cabinet has 5 shelves and 2 glass doors. Made of teakwood from Thaila...
Glass, Wood, Teak
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Colonial Rosewood Carved Hutch Linen Cabinet with Barley Twist Columns
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Uncompromisingly hand-crafted Colonial cabinet with barley twist columns and removable shelves Circa 1880-90. Constructed from solid Rosewood and sitting on bun feet framed by hand c...
Rosewood
Walnut Filing Cabinet, British Colonial Style, Early 20th Century
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
A file recovered from the British consulate in the early 1900s. In 1920, the British Consulate in Naples was responsible for issuing visas and passports, a crucial function at a time...
Brass
English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in North Miami, FL
This piece just took our breath away - all the carved wood details and medallions are master craftsman quality. See all detail images to truly appreciate what an excellent antique pi...
Brass
19th Century Ebonized Jackwood British Colonial Box on Stand from British Ceylon
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century ebonized jackwood British Colonial box on stand from British Ceylon (Modern day Sri Lanka). Two part box on Stand is made of Jackwood with eb...
Wood
English Aesthetic Movement Tall Glass Front Bamboo Cabinet
Located in Troy, MI
A bamboo cabinet in a dark brown finish, with two glass doors, each fitted with an X-strut bamboo motif at the top and bottom. Interior fitted with four shelves creating five compart...
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Glass
$2,573Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 30.71 in D 11.62 in
Antique Pier Cabinet, English Walnut, Glazed Bookcase, Display Cupboard, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pier cabinet. An English, walnut and boxwood glazed bookcase or display cupboard, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. ...
Boxwood, Walnut
$4,125
H 78.5 in W 37.5 in D 22.25 in
Italian Bloomingdale’s Victorian Aesthetic Movement Style Burnt Bamboo Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Victorian Aesthetic Movement style burnt bamboo armoire cabinet crafted for Bloomingdale’s in the later part of the 20th century. The door is mirrored. The interior has she...
Mirror, Wood
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
$5,895
H 84 in W 97.25 in D 17.5 in
Mid-Century English Regency Style Inlaid Mahogany & Satinwood Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Georgian revival bookcase or display cabinet. It is mahogany with satinwood inlays throughout the upper portion. The doors have beveled glass and the shelves are wood. A ke...
Fabric, Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
$2,995
H 27.75 in W 18 in D 9 in
Salesman's Sample French Louis XV Wall Mounted Vitrine Display Cabinet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare French Louis XV style wall-mounted vitrine display cabinet is an exceptional example of fine craftsmanship in miniature form, most likely created as a salesman’s sample or ...
Bronze
$1,627
H 31.11 in W 32.29 in D 14.18 in
French Riviera Organic Cabinet in Woven Rattan and Bamboo, Italy, 1970s
By Dal Vera
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century organic cabinet fully made of bamboo and pressed woven rattan. This delightful and unique French Riviera style cabinet was produced in Italy during the 1970s. ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
$5,495 / set
H 36 in W 44.25 in D 18.5 in
Early Italian Neo-Classical Style Satinwood & Mahogany Demilune Cabinets - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a striking pair of neoclassical style hand hewn satinwood and mahogany inlaid demilune cabinets. They are purportedly Italia and date somewhere between the 1930s and 40s. The...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Burl
1950's Vintage Bureau Cabinet by E Gomme
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and quite rare 1950’s vintage bureau cabinet by E Gomme. This was made in England by E Gomme, which a short time after became G Plan. It is of ...
Wood
$2,810
H 30.71 in W 43.31 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury Cabinet Storage in Rattan and Bamboo Dal Vera Style, Italy 1970s
By Dal Vera
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful cabinet storage or sideboard in bamboo and rattan composed of one drawers and three shelves in the style of Dal Vera. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Sleek Belgium Modernist Two-Door Sideboard or Cabinet
Located in Westport, CT
A super Art Deco two-door cabinet finishing on a pedestal base shown with nickel plated hardware in beautiful rich stained rosewood veneer. Sleek two door cabinet/sideboard/bar on a ...
Rosewood
1970s Italian Cabinet With Sliding Doors
Located in Praha, CZ
- Body Made of laminate with imitation of wood and Legs are made of Beech wood - Good original condition with minor signs of use
Laminate, Wood, Beech
1990s British Colonial Faux Bamboo Etagere Storage Display Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NJ
An impressive faux bamboo British Colonial style etagere cabinet featuring two mirrors, fixed interior shelves and glass doors. The exterior is wrapped in chestnut woven cane cloth ...
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass
Regency Style Faux Bamboo Cabinets / Side Tables / Nightstands - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 20th century hand crafted faux bamboo cabinets by The Platt Collection. This manufacturer typically had wood veneers over wood core. Some of the bamboo or ratt...
Composition, Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 41.34 in D 17.72 in
Two-part display cabinet in exotic wood, colonial period, late 19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Two-part display buffet/bookcase in exotic wood, colonial period, late 19th century A beautiful two-part display cabinet/bookcase in exotic wood (probably teak, or a similar native ...
Wood
Sold
H 73.25 in W 42.25 in D 20 in
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Cabinet or Linen Press
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome mid century British colonial style cabinet or wardrobe having two doors and two drawers for plenty of storage, crafted in faux bamboo with grasscloth panels all around decor...
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
Vintage British Colonial Tortoise Rattan Cabinet With Drawer
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Charming vintage tortoise-finished rattan cabinet, featuring woven rattan panels throughout, a single upper drawer, and a lower cabinet door with interior shelving. The warm tortoise...
Rattan, Wood, Plywood
Sold
H 43.25 in W 25 in D 16 in
Late 20th Century British Colonial Style Rattan & Grasscloth Étagère Cabinet
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A charming Late 20th Century British Colonial style étagère featuring a faux tortoise rattan frame paired with woven grasscloth surfaces. The piece offers both open shelving and a do...
Rattan
Corner chest of drawers from around 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Very good condition, after professional renovation, the chest of drawers finished in polish. Year: around 1...
Walnut
Maitland-Smith Vintage Two Door Faux Bamboo and Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century British colonial style handcrafted cabinet featuring a faux burnt bamboo frame with a bow front form, jungle camouflage lacquer panels, stick and fist hardware a...
Faux Bamboo
A British Colonial Teakwood Numbered Locker
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome gym locker was crafted from Teak in 1930, reflecting the British preference for durable materials suited to tropical climates. Featuring brass hardware and delicate car...
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 meets orie...
Glass, Teak
Teak Museum Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Topanga, CA
A teak museum vitrine cabinet, in excellent condition. This generously sized cabinet features glass panels on all sides, three front doors, and glass shelving inside.
Glass, Teak
Sold
H 32 in W 29 in D 17 in
Maitland Smith Faux Tortoise Bamboo Lacquered Two Door Cabinet, Circa 1980
Located in Rochester, NY
Maitland Smith faux bamboo tortoise finish bow front two door cabinet / splayed front legs / exotically decorated lacquered panels / black ...
Brass