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.
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
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
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
Vintage Bamboo Rattan Wall Cabinet with Mirror, Colonial Style
Located in Southampton, NJ
Delightful vintage Coastal style tortoise bamboo caned wall cabinet with mirror; ready for use.
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
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
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
British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style three-tiered cabinet desk with a gallery at the top over three step down compartments covered with grass cloth and framed with faux bamboo. The upper and lower...
Faux Bamboo
$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
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
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
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
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
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 grasscloth ...
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass
$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
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
$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
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
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 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
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
$2,995
H 35.5 in W 55.5 in D 19.5 in
Beacon Hill Collection Chippendale Mahogany Breakfront Sideboard, Circa 1940s
By Beacon Hill
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Chippendale style sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet By Beacon Hill Collection USA, Circa 1940s Carved flame mahogany, with original brass hardware. ...
Brass
$2,136 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 11.82 in
Brass Cabinet Modern Floating Brass Side Table Nightstand
Located in Riga, LV
Exquisite custom nightstand, a masterpiece crafted from engineered wood and adorned with a polished, slightly brushed, burnished, varnished brass finish. This exceptional piece is de...
Brass
$2,112 / set
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne....
Oak
Vintage Mirrored Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modern-style cabinet shows off an eye-catching mirrored surface with bevelled panels. Two doors open to reveal a storage compartment and three large drawers. Please confirm item...
Mirror
$1,889Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 25.99 in D 14.97 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2023
Located in Labrit, Landes
This bedside cabinet cabinet with the traditional technique is brustalist chic style thanks to its simple aesthetic and its bronze handle. This pair of oak nightstands...
Oak
$2,125
H 79 in W 17 in D 8 in
MidCentury Limited Ed. Neoclassical Style Fruitwood Vitrine Cabinet Beacon Hill
By Beacon Hill
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a neoclassical style carved fruitwood vitrine by Beacon Hill. It is a numbered limited production piece. The interior has adjustable glass shelves and includes a key.
Glass, Fruitwood
Two Antique Glazed Museum Display Cabinets
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Superb large antique glazed mahogany museum display cabinets from the V&A Museum, London. There are doors to each end, opening opposite to each other. Price is for each display cabinet. The Dodo skeleton...
Brass
$2,495
H 66 in W 36 in D 15 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak 2 Piece Display Cabinet or Bookcase Made in Denmark
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern teak display cabinet, bookcase, or sideboard stamped “Made in Denmark” & comprised of 2 pieces. Upper display hutch w/double doors, gla...
Glass, Teak
$2,200Sale Price|43% Off
H 50.5 in W 34.5 in D 25.5 in
Korean Campaign Style Secrétaire Cabinet Chest with Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Asian campaign style cabinet featuring two large front doors that open to reveal a drop down writing desk and fitted with numerous storage drawers. Adorned with opulent brass hardware, hinges, and pulls. Rare Tansu...
Brass
$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
Mahogany Ball and Claw Curio Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Ball and Claw Cabinet 34”x12x”x48”
Glass, Walnut
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
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
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
Antique English Cabinet Bookcase Barley Twist Carved Burl Walnut
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Cabinet Bookcase Barley Twist Carved Burl Walnut. Direct from England, a stunning British cabinet, tall and slender, perfect size for a...
Walnut
British Colonial Style Anglo Indian Polychromed Linen Press
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Anglo-Indian 2-part linen press cabinet or dresser made in the British colonial style. The cabinet features two large front doors with a dramatic sunburst relief carving th...
Iron