British Colonial Linen Presses
BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE
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.
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Style: British Colonial
Antique 19th C Ceylonese British Colonial Satin Wood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Ceylonese British Colonial Satin Wood and Ebony Cabinet.
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique British Colonial Linen Presses
Materials
Ebony
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique British Colonial Linen Presses
Materials
Rosewood
$6,000 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press
Located in Southampton, NY
Early 19th century English Colonial satinwood and ebony linen press. Cabinet is composed of solid Satinwood with solid ebony trim and inlay.
Handmade in Sri Lanka, where both satinw...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Linen Presses
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
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Lighted Danish Rosewood Glass Door Hutch Cabinet Bookcase with Carved Pulls
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Set into the facade are glass-fronted doors, their smooth surfaces accented by sculptural, solid rosewood carved pulls—each curve carefully echoed in the subtly contoured banding that frames the cabinet. Open the doors to discover a spacious, mirrored interior, thoughtfully illuminated from within and outfitted with adjustable or removable glass shelves—ideal for curated display of china, glassware, or cherished volumes.
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Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press
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sku 1933
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Top W153 x D71 x H121 cm
Together W153 x D71 x H221 cm
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19thC English Pine Linen Press
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Lock & Keys
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W120 x D56 x H219 cm
Base: W116 x D54 x H97cm
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British Colonial linen presses for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial linen presses for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage linen presses created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ebony and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial linen presses made in a specific country, there are Asia, South Asia, and Sri Lanka pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for linen presses differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,000 and tops out at $12,500 while the average work can sell for $11,500.
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