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 Bamboo Wall-Mounted Bar Cabinet With Accordion Doors & Mermaid Handles
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A truly exceptional and highly unique vintage bamboo wall cabinet, designed to make a statement while offering functional storage. This one-of-a-kind piece features beautifully craft...
Bamboo, Wood, Plywood
Vintage West Indies Style Server or Sideboard by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome vintage British colonial style server crafted in mahogany in a West Indies style featuring a dramatic ocean inspired gallery with two shelves on a case with two beaded drawe...
Mahogany
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
$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
$2,990Sale Price|35% Off
Vintage 1970's Lacquered Bamboo Cane Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A exceptional multipurpose cabinet, circa 1970s. Top has 4 large woven cane "caged" doors opening to 3 spacious shelfs for books, knick knacks etc. Bottom case has 4 large drawers do...
Bamboo, Mahogany
$5,764Sale Price|50% Off
American Martinsville Faux Bamboo Sideboard with Cane Fronts
Located in Reading, Berkshire
American of Martinsville Bergere and Faux Bamboo Sideboard With Cane sectional fronts and brass handles. Founded in 1906, American of Martinsvil...
Brass
Antique British Colonial Inlaid Server from the Philippines
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable 19th century British colonial two drawer server from the Philippines, handcrafted in mahogany with a lush grain, featuring pegged construction, brass hardware, seashell inlays and elegant turned and beaded legs.
Brass
British Colonial Style Sideboard or Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique William IV style sideboard reminiscent of a West Indies British Colonial server or buffet crafted in indigenous mahogany with a gr...
Mahogany
Catalan Carved Walnut Sideboard, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." — Frank Gehry A testament to Catalan craftsmanship, this 1940s solid walnut sideboard reflects the reg...
Walnut
$91,603
H 77.17 in W 67.33 in D 21.26 in
Bongo Marble Bar Cabinet, Automated Doors, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bongó Bar Cabinet, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bongó marble bar cabinet elevates the act of enjoyin...
Marble, Onyx, Travertine, Brass
$3,375Sale Price|55% Off
H 46 in W 54.5 in D 22.5 in
18th century French Provincial Walnut Sideboard Server
Located in Savannah, GA
French Provincial walnut cabinet or server featuring a rectangular top over a conforming case fitted with three small drawers with applied diamond design over a two cupboard doors th...
Brass
Lago Wall Mounted Sideboard Four Silvered Glass Doors
By Daniele Lago
Located in Hanover, MA
Wall mounted floating sideboard by Daniele Lago model 36e8 with four reverse antiqued silvered doors and a grey satin wood case floating on three cast aluminum L brackets. Four doors...
Art Glass, Wood
$3,430
H 29.34 in W 35.63 in D 16.74 in
Mid Century French Lacquered Sideboard Cabinet Pierre Vandel Paris C.1970
Located in London, GB
Mid Century French Lacquered Sideboard Cabinet Pierre Vandel Paris C.1970 PIERRE VANDEL, PARIS: A black and gilt lacquered sideboard cabinet, on stile feet, with gilded designers 'P...
Aluminum
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 84.5 in D 20.25 in
Modern Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza with Faux Parchment Fronts
Located in North York, ON
Modern black Lacquered sideboard credenza with Faux Parchment fronts. Featuring unique shaped design with ample storage options. Completed with a beautiful black lacquered finish and...
Wood
19th Century English Oak Sideboard
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak sideboard from England with a beveled edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and two drawers in the front with raised geometric panels, flanked by hand...
Oak
$2,800
H 30.5 in W 54 in D 20.5 in
American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Bali-Hi Dresser, ca. 1950’s
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated and stylish Bali Hi dresser, designed by Merton Gurshun for American of Martinsville. The dresser has six deep drawers each having faux bam...
Mahogany
$5,282Sale Price|65% Off
H 70.08 in W 51.58 in D 15.75 in
1950s Rud Rasmussen Cabinet, four tambour doors, two drawers with brass handles
Located in London, GB
1950s Rud Rasmussen Mahogany Cabinet. Front with four tambour doors and two drawers with brass handles. Adjustable shelves. Made and marked by Rud. Rasmussen cabinetmakers. H. 178 cm...
Hardwood
Vintage Modern Solid Oak & Woven Rattan Bar Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning example of Mid-Century Modern design with a coastal influence. This versatile cabinet features a robust, solid oak frame with a warm amber finish. The two doors are inset ...
Rattan, Oak
$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
Art Deco Style Burl Cabinet Sideboard Server
Located in Pasadena, TX
Art Deco style burl cabinet server. Measure: 39". Beautiful burl is paired with contrasting ebony legs and finished back. Nickel pulls. Top drawer and a 2 door cabinet that opens...
Burl
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Cane Sideboard
By Bloomingdale's, Dal Vera, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very nice sideboard consisting of a bamboo frame with cane clad panels. Features four doors, each set revealing shelves. On the left is one adjustable shelf, and the right side has...
Bamboo, Cane
1980s Faux Bamboo and Cane Sideboard
By Ficks Reed, Maitland Smith, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous faux bamboo, cane, and wicker sideboard or dresser. Unique dimensions allow for a variety of uses such as tv strand, credenza, sideboard, or dresser. The right side consi...
Faux Bamboo, Cane
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Reed Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exceptional Basketweave Rattan and faux bamboo sideboard with two drawers, spacious lower cabinet and single loose shelf. Beautifully maintained, ready for use.
Brass
Sold
H 38.5 in W 80.5 in D 21.5 in
Maitland-Smith British Colonial Style Coconut Shell and Leather Sideboard
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive midcentury Maitland-Smith sideboard or wine cabinet with a textured bronze top in a coconut border on a four door case having bronze elephant head handles in coconut panel...
Leather, Coconut
Sold
H 32 in W 66 in D 21 in
Nicholas James Neoclassic Mahogany Sideboard with Curtains and Mesh Doors
Located in Germantown, MD
A custom Nicholas James Mid-Century English neoclassical Walnut Side board / Buffet / credenza with Curtains and wire Mesh Doors in good vintage condition.Features three large compar...
Metal, Wire
Antique British Colonial Caribbean Mahogany Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and Remarkable 19th century British colonial server handcrafted in mahogany with a dark lush finish featuring a classic gallery on the top...
Brass
Two Door Cabinet or Server with Elephants and Coconut Veneer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome vintage British colonial style cabinet or chest with a polished coconut frame, featuring tooled leather top and sides, two mahogany doors with bronze elephant reliefs...
Coconut
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
British Colonial West Indies Server or Writing Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting 19th century British Colonial West Indian writing table or server crafted in mahogany with gallery at the top, two drawers with cast brass hardware, and turned legs.
Mahogany
British Colonial Bowfront Teak Dresser Base
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An extremely charming late 18th century, or possibly early 19th century, British colonial teak dresser base, of extremely rare bowfronted shape, having well figured top over three dr...
Teak
Antique English Bleached Oak Sideboard Sofa Table Farmhouse Credenza
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English bleached oak sideboard sofa table 5.5 ft. Farmhouse Credenza ~Direct from England~ ~Large, 5.5 ft. antique English sideboard/cre...
Oak