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British Colonial Furniture

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
Boho British Colonial Bamboo & Rattan Desk
Located in Trenton, NJ
Introducing this Vintage British Colonial Style Grasscloth and Bamboo Writing Desk – a tropical oasis for your workspace that’s as stylish as it is sustainable! Say goodbye to boring...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood

Pair of Vintage Brass Frederick Cooper Table Lamps, Monkeys in a Palm Tree
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of collectible vintage Frederick Cooper brass lamps of palm trees with hanging monkeys are enchanting and in great condition. ...
Category

1990s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC Measures -...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Ralph Lauren Knockhill Tartan Plaid Luncheon Plates, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of decorative luncheon or wall plates with a tartan plaid pattern By Ralph Lauren, "Knockhill Tartan Plaid" pattern USA, Early 21st Century Measures: 9.25"W x 1"D ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Sheesham Blanket Trunk Chest Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century British Colonial style Sheesham wood blanket storage chest or coffee table. Features a beautiful two tone finish with iron hardware. Dimensions: 16" x 24" x 16"h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This Is a Large Scale Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
British royal coat of arms wall plaque This is a large scale piece, it dates from the 1950s and is made in plaster and it is painted in very brig...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Vintage Tooled Leather Traditional Carved Campaign Style Office Writing Desk 62"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century campaign style desk. Features a rectangular form with brown tooled leather top and two drawers in the frieze. Each drawer has brass lion knocker pulls. The desk is ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Antique English Iron Milner's Patent Fire Resisting Safe Painted Green
Located in Centennial, CO
Antique late 1800s English iron Milner's Patent Fire Resisting Safe painted a gorgeous dark green with painted aqua interior. Gorgeous embossed brass circular plate and key plate wit...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron, Brass

Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century figural horse bronze table lamp by Maitland Smith featuring a mare and foal in tableau on a charcoal black marble clad base. Includes hard and rectangular tooled / ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest on Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 18th century British colonial chest with a beaded cornice over three drawers with campaign hardware in the top of the case and two paneled cabinet doors below over a skirt a...
Category

18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Maitland Smith Brass Nautical Maritime Binnacle Ship Compass Gimbal Oil Lamp 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith reclaimed brass nautical / maritime binnacle gimbal ship's compass with double oil lamps. Dimensions: 13.5" x 10" x 10" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

McGuire Style Laced Leather Rawhide Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Set of four laced leather rattan dining chairs or armchairs made in the manner and style of McGuire. Director's style armchairs featuring woven rawhide seats and backs reinforced wit...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Rattan, Wood

Pair of Lost Wax Bronze Pineapple Lamps from the Cote d'Ivoire
Located in East Hampton, NY
These pineapples were made from the lost wax process in early 20th C. Pineapples are a traditional Western symbol of welcome. They are heavy solid bronze pineapples mounted on a sta...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Vintage Tortoise Faux Bamboo Console-Sideboard-70s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Vintage Tortoise Faux Bamboo Console - Sideboard from the 70s This Faux Bamboo Buffet is both - practical and pretty. Beautifully wrapped Wickerwork Drawers and Sides - encase...
Category

1970s French Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Wicker, Wood

Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century. Chessboard, Backgammon table, games table, early 20th century, carved wood chess pawn. h: 72cm, w: 77...
Category

Early 20th Century European British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Seat of 4 Swedish Circa 1900s Faux Bamboo Beech 'Bodafors' Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
Set of four late Circa 19th century faux bamboo beech dining chairs made for Bodafors with rush mat in the Japanese style to the seats. Wear and tear commensurate with their age and ...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Beech

Vintage Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful British Colonial style writing desk or vanity with two working drawers for storage and reed wrapped joints. Lovely design and a great addition to any space. Very good condi...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan

Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base. Dimensions: 17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A 19th Century Mandalay Brass Bound Teak Campaign Dressing Box, Burma Circa 1860
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
These boxes were made for British military officers who were posted in Burma (now Myanmar) & India during the days of British rule. The brass & copper bound teak case is profusely ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron

Pair of British Colonial Style Wingback Armchairs by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British Colonial style wingback armchairs crafted with woven reed, in a herringbone pattern over classic form with bamboo legs and stretchers. Signed Milling Road fo...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Reed

Handsome oversized tufted leather ottoman/trunk after Ralph Lauren
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome large oversized leather tufted library ottoman. The tufted ottoman features a beautiful olive green leather on the top and opens up to a finished walnut interior. ...
Category

1990s Chinese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

British Colonial Style Burnt Tortoise Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegant splay front legs and matching caned seat c...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan

British Desk, British Lathe Legs
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
One of the rare and unique pieces in the selection, this English desk showcases a combination of antique and craftsmanship. With its aesthetic appearance and functional design, it st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 20th century porcelain jungle-themed lidded jars by New York designer, John Derian. Elegant vases feature multiple jungle animals including elephants, tigers, monkeys and zeb...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped. Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan. Southern Heirlooms Eliza...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th C English Copper Lantern Sconce by Foster & Pullen
Located in New York, NY
Rare English copper lantern sconce by noted maker, Foster & Pullen. The lantern has hinged top, and hinged panel door to allow access to the bulb from either the top or the front. ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron

Antique Indian Architectural M-o-p Inlaid Teak Window
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful antique Indian architectural m-o-p inlaid carved teak window. India, early 20th century, primitive hand-crafted solid teak w...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

19th C. English Leather Coffee Table/Steamer Trunk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th Century steamer trunk that can be used as a coffee table, featuring original brass and copper hardware, with beautifully distressed leather in good condition. This piece is d...
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Copper

British Colonial Style Three Tiered Caned Stand or Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout English stand crafted in mahogany having one drawer over two caned lower tiers with turned and twisted supports over classic turned feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Rare! Early Maitland Smith Custom English Brass Table Lamp Spears Motif
Located in Peoria, AZ
Gorgeous! Maitland Smith Custom Brass Speat Tripod Table Lamp Amazing British Colonial Style! This one of a kind Maitland Smith lamp is an iconic example of British Colonial Style...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Steel, Brass

Rare and Unusual Pierced Coconut Shell Table Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual handmade table lamp featuring thirteen carved and perforated coconut shells as shades, carved coconut leaves, hand wrapped string stems and a coconut base on a mahog...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Coconut

Antique Colonial Plantation Woven Lounge Chair Curved Paddle Armrest
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Introducing a British Colonial long paddle arm plantation lounge chair circa late 19th century early 20th century. Placed in the right house this unique Design will be an interesting...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heavy bronze bell, tower bell. This is a very heavy piece it is on an Oak Yoke with iron fixings including a the bracket which holds the rope For the purpose of the pictures and...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

British Royal Officers Uniform
Located in Buchanan, MI
Exceptional royal officers uniform, royal blue wool hand embroidered with gold metallic thread. Hand chased belt buckle and sword guard. Please contact...
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around having a concave center drawer and two more on either side over a lower tier.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Table Lamps with Elephants
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of British Colonial style table lamps with a combination of modern and tradition having stylized bronze finials and palm fronds on a glass post over cast bronze eleph...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of Six Ralph Lauren Mahogany Rattan Barrel Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of six barrel back form dining chairs or armchairs made in the British colonial style by Ralph Lauren Home. Known as Modern Sands collection chairs they feature a mahogany f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany

Palecek French Regency Style Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine Palecek French Regency style center or pedestal dining table of faux bamboo & braided rope styling accented with leather joinery in excellent vintage condition. Table dimensi...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Glass, Wood

Taxidermie - Splendide cages aux Oiseaux - 14 perroquets et perruches
By Artistics
Located in TOULON, FR
Quatorze magnifiques oiseaux exotiques perchés à l'extérieur d'une grande cage ronde en métal. Hauteur totale : 1,57 m, largeur : 1 m. Amazone à front blanc, toui à lunettes, ara ble...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin, Bamboo

Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover timeless elegance with this Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table. Featuring two faux candle stick lamp heads and a colonial wooden base, this piece serves both as a flo...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage 80s McGuire Antalya Directors Style Dining or Occasional Chairs Rawhide
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Classic 1980s directors style McGuire dining or occasional armchairs with lattice style rawhide seats and backs. These rattan framed chairs with backrest and seat woven in ra...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hide, Rattan

Set of Four Burnt Bamboo Tortoise Folding Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very good set of four British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Tortoise folding chairs. Well constructed and sturdy. An additional set of four is also available for purchase.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

19th Century Oak Bookcase Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Surrey, BC
Beautiful heavy oak two piece cabinet with adjustable shelving, decorative panels and arched glass doors. This is a well built cabinet originally...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Sherwood & Wedge British Nautical Maritime Brass Onion Ship Oil Lanterns
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two antique Sherwood & Wedge "onion" navigational lamps featuring a cylindrical brass base, pierced top and fluted chimney cap, rotating wire bail handle, and simple wire cag...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 20.5" W x 24.5" D x 15" Seat height.
Category

19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Teak Wood Glass-Front Wall Cabinet with Shelves and Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Teak wood wall cabinet with glass front and two interior glass shelves. Two lower cabinet drawers with iron flush-mount drawer pulls. Two hooks at the top to allow for hanging. Refinished. Colonial British. The Lockhart Collection is a personally curated gallery of antiques and fine jewelry, owned and operated by Deborah Lockhart Phillips. The antiques and vintage pieces encompass Nautical Artifacts...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Newly Refinished Antique Drop-leaf Tiger Oak table with Faux Bamboo Legs
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Antique tiger oak drop-leaf table with 2 leaves on hinges that can be raised or lowered and small drawer. The use of tiger oak suggests a striking grain pattern with a wavy or mottle...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rupert Bevan Croft Barstool (in Customer's Own choice of Material/Leather)
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our Croft chair, the Croft Barstool was created to give the design versatility, allowing the sophistication of its finishes and bespoke upholstery to move seamlessly betw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Oak

English Brass Umbrella and Canes Stand by Lombard England Brass Company
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1950's Brass Metal Umbrella and Canes Stand by Lombard England Brass The finishing touch for your well-appointed home, this vintage umbrella stand mak...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage rustic classical style bookcase/cabinet
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a large late 20th century rustic classical style bookcase/cabinet. This bookcase has a classical form with fluted style columns on oth...
Category

1980s Indonesian Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of British Colonial Style Table Lamps with Elephants
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style pair of porcelain table lamps with classic ginger jar form hand decorated with elephants and floral motifs. Signed Oriental Accent on the bottoms.
Category

20th Century Chinese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Black Painted Pine 11 Drawer Lingerie Chest With Gold French Lines
Located in Centennial, CO
A classic English styled antique pine black painted eleven drawer lingerie tall chest with gold French line motif and brass hardware. Built by a skilled craftsman with eleven graduat...
Category

Early 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Traditional Turkish Oushak Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Turkish Oushak rug. 19'' x 20''
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

Rupert Bevan Croft Dining Chair (in Customer's Own choice of Material/Leather)
Located in London, GB
Our signature Croft Chair sits comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings, with its generous seat and elegant backrest. Legs and frame in solid oak with a Light, Mid, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Oak

Small Mid-Century Modern Italian Globe for Bar Desk Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Tabletop Vintage Wooden Spinning Globe, Marked "Made in Italy" Charming hand-crafted Mid-Century Modern spinning tabletop globe featuring an antique design sepia brown world m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Ebonized Console Sofa Table with Drawers and Brass Hardware, Turned Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Ebonized console sofa table with drawers and brass hardware. Offered for sale is an ebonized wood console or sofa table that would make a wonderful server. This heavy substantia...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian colonial chair in bamboo wood and damask fabric, 1910s
Located in MIlano, IT
Colonial chair with wooden frame with round-section slats and bamboo upholstery, upholstered seat and back in their original damask fabric. 1910 ca. Good overall condition. Measures ...
Category

1910s Italian Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Wood

British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's, and Ralph Lauren. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $3,161.

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