British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.
1920s English Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1880s English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
19th Century Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo
1920s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s German Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir
Mid-20th Century North American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century British British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Scottish Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1860s British Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
20th Century Swedish British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cane, Faux Bamboo
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
19th Century Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Grasscloth
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century British British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane