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
Ralph Lauren British Colonial Style Mahogany Server / Plantation Sideboard
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Peabody, MA
A solid mahogany British Colonial inspired server or plantation sideboard designed by Ralph Lauren. For decades, before he was knighted with an OBE by Queen Elizabeth in 2019, Lauren...
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Stacking Luggage-Form Leather & Woven Rattan Side Table Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Stacking Luggage-Form Leather and woven rattan Chest Side Table featuring 3 drawers with leather pulls and William and Mary Style wooden legs. Measure 25.5" in wi...
Leather, Wood, Rattan
1980s British Colonial Faux Bamboo and Cane Tall Shelf
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Gorgeous tall shelf with a faux bamboo frame and cane shelves. Great size shelf could work in a variety of spaces. Nice coastal, British Colonial, and boho styling.
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Bamboo and Cane British Colonial Style Small Chest
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A versatile small three drawer chest / nightstand in the British colonial style. Compromised of bamboo skeleton and cane clad drawer fronts, sides, and top. Overall very good conditi...
Bamboo, Cane
Vintage British Colonial Burnt Bamboo Chests of Drawers, 1980s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage rare pair of burnt bamboo British Colonial chest of drawers. Great attention to detail throughout.
Bamboo
1980s British Colonial Style Bamboo and Cane Corner Cabinet
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual British colonial style bamboo and rattan corner cabinet attributed to Ralph Lauren for Bloomingdale’s. Great size and unique shape. Could be used as a small sideboard, consol...
Faux Bamboo, Cane
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
A British Colonial Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome 2-part British Colonial bookcase is made from Burmese teak and dates to the 19th century. The piece defined by its strong proportions, restrained detailing, and rich, t...
Teak
Baker Furniture English Regency Carved Rosewood Étagère, Bookcase, or Wall Unit
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English Regency style etagère, bookcase, wall unit, or room divider By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous carved rosewood, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Brass
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Rattan Diminutive Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo and Rattan Diminutive Chest Europe, Later 20th Century A stunning British Colonial-style diminutive chest of drawers, wrapped in rattan...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Willow
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.
Ebony
Antique British Colonial Three Tiered Stand or Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome English 19th century stand, crafted in mahogany having three tiers with turned finials at the top, on classic turned supports and brass casters.
Mahogany
18th Century English Oak Mule Sideboard ~ Chest ~ Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century English Oak Mule Sideboard ~ Chest ~ Credenza is a handsome piece, crafted in the traditional form that originated as a practical storage piece in English country homes....
Brass
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British colonial chest handcrafted in mahogany, with five drawers, in two piece campaign form with brass hardware and classic tuned feet.
Brass
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Serving Bar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century serving bar handcrafted with a mahogany top over a bamboo and bent bamboo frame having grasscloth woven in a herringbone pattern on the sides and front. The back...
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Faux Bamboo and Cane Dresser, British Colonial Style
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous faux bamboo, cane, and wicker chest or dresser. Unique dimensions allow for a variety of uses A pair of split drawers sit above 3 spacious drawers. The "frame" of the cas...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Vintage Boho Coastal Rattan & Pencil Reed Rolling Bar Cabinet With Gallery Rail
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
xceptional vintage coastal bar cabinet crafted in rattan and pencil reed with a beautifully curved front profile and classic woven panel accents. This sculptural rolling bar embodies...
Faux Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage Coastal Braided Rattan Highboy Chest, 1960, 4 Drawers
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage coastal safari style braided rattan highboy chest of 4 drawers.
Rattan
Vintage Boho Brighton Pavilion Style Scorched Bamboo Étagère by Goldenrod
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Beautiful vintage Brighton Pavilion style scorched bamboo étagère by Goldenrod, showcasing classic lattice fretwork, turned bamboo uprights, and a rich honey-to-caramel scorched fini...
Bamboo
Brighton Pavilion Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair
Located in Southampton, NJ
Brighton Pavilion burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegan...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan, Glass
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
Solid Teak Hand Carved Colonial Whatnot Rack with Shelves & Drawers
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Colonial solid Teak whatnot stand with shelves in good condition. Hand carved fluted vase columns with crown moulding and drawers. Brass ha...
Teak
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century campaign chest with seven drawers handcrafted in camphor wood and featuring a pullout desk with nooks, drawers and a leather writi...
Wood
1970s British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo & Grasscloth Chest of Drawers
By Ralph Lauren
Located in St. Louis, MO
1970s British Colonial style 3 drawer chest of drawers or dresser, with faux burnt / tortoise bamboo & grasscloth with all panels having applied diamond geometric design. Design is...
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan
British Colonial Carved Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous British Colonial or French Louis Philippe style four-piece lighted breakfront bookcase, display cabinet, or media cabinet USA, Circa Late 20th Century Carved cherry wood...
Brass
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Serving Bar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive vintage British colonial style bar crafted with a bamboo frame having grasscloth panels on top and all around, storage cabinet, leather wrapped joints and a removable wine...
Leather, Grasscloth, Bamboo
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 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
Antique British Colonial Campaign Sawhorse Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British colonial desk handcrafted in mahogany, having the original tooled and gilt green leather top on a case with three drawers and brass campaign hardware si...
Brass
Faux Bamboo Three Drawer Lacquered Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Lots of detail on this very sturdy chest of drawers. This three drawer faux bamboo chest has been freshly lacquered in a coastal shade of blue. Very versatile piece that could be use...
Metal
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
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
Mid-Century Rattan Chest of Drawers, Faux Bamboo Frame, Brass Handles
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Palm Beach Style Mid-Century Organic Rattan Four Drawer Glazed Chest With A Stained Faux Bamboo Wooden Frame. Finished With A Glazed (removable) Top To Protect The Surface For Everyd...
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
Turn of the Century English Hotel Front Desk Mail Cabinet
Located in North Miami, FL
This whimsical curiosity cabinet from an English Hotel, used for guests to receive their mail. Roman numerals on enamel tags to windowed doors. The wood is lovely aged and the cabi...
Enamel
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century British Colonial Brass Bound Teak Campaign Chest
Located in Richmond, VA
Great quality late 19th century British colonial brass bound teak campaign chest in 2 parts.
Brass
Maitland-Smith Vintage British Colonial Style Bar Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive mid century bar cabinet featuring an upper case crafted in coconut shell with two doors having bronze elephant head handles and an illuminated interior lined in mahogany w...
Bronze
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
$7,900Sale Price|49% Off
20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressively-scaled book cabinet was made from solid Teak wood and dates to the 1940's. During the late British empire in India and Burma much furniture was made in the Art Deco...
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...
Glass, Hardwood
Baker Furniture 18th Century Flemish Style Mahogany Triple Dresser, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous 18th century Flemish reproduction chest of drawers, dresser, or buffet server By Baker Furniture USA, mid-20th century ...
Brass
Vintage Coastal Wrapped Rattan Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb vintage chest that exudes coastal elegance and incredible textural appeal. This handsome piece is completely enveloped in expertly wrapped rattan, with a beautiful basketwea...
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
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
Antique English Georgian Style Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial 19th century English Georgian style partners desk handcrafted in mahogany in three piece construction featuring a tooled leather top, six drawers and a cabi...
Brass
Vintage Boho British Colonial Carved Chest With Bone Escutcheons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This handsome antique chest of drawers, likely dating from the mid-Victorian or late Georgian period, exhibits classic British furniture design characterized by robust construction a...
Brass
Red Lacquered Chest on Stand 19th Century, British India, 1860
Located in Epfach, DE
Red lacquered chest on stand 19th century, British India, 1860 Very charming 19th century chest with wonderful lacquered and gilt flower dec...
Wood
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
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
English Country-Style Pine Wood Kneehole Desk
Located in Queens, NY
English Country (late 19th Century) pine wood kneehole desk having a scalloped gallery, three drawers in the frieze on the front side, a bank of three drawers below with brass pull h...
Brass
19th Century British Colonial Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century British Colonial shelf made from teak. There are tall hand turned finials on the top over three shelves, all with scalloped galleries...
Teak
British Colonial Style Demi-Lune Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style desk crafted in mahogany in a demilune form with a tooled tan leather top, four drawers and featuring bold turned an...
Brass
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
Victorian Pine and Iron Bound Sea Chest, Iron Bound Silver chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A large Victorian pine and iron bound sea or silver chest. This the heaviest and best quality box that you can imagine, it has heavy iron banding on the outside, a superb and lar...
Pine
Early 20th C. Rawleys Brass and Leather Bound On Canvas Wardrobe Trunk
Located in Germantown, MD
A well kepth Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century Rawleys Brass and Leather Bound On Canvas rolling Wardrobe Trunk in great antique condition. Solid brass fitting throughout, har...
Brass
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
Vintage Bamboo Chest with Greek Key Design
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage bamboo chest with Greek key design. This versatile mid-century bamboo chest, side table, end table or bedside table has style and storage ...
Bamboo
Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Luggage Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive British Colonial style desk crafted in mahogany in a three piece construction with a tooled leather top featuring burnished brass hardware, leather strap pulls on the thre...
Brass
$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
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
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