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.
Style: British Colonial
Color: Brown
Antique British Colonial Rosewood Cabinet with Glass Panel Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial rosewood storage cabinet with glass doors from the early 20th century. This antique display cabinet features a molded cornice atop a tall case with pair of five-panel front doors, set with glass. The skirt and sides of the cabinet remain clean and simple, and has a very subtle elongated carve out giving it an ever so slight raise off of the ground. This piece is made of rosewood, giving it a beautifully rich presence. This storage cabinet stands approximately 6.5 feet tall, and just over 3.75 feet wide, making it a great storage piece. Please note that there is some slight bowing at the lower right door, which doesn't allow the piece to close fully flush at bottom. This 1920s British Colonial rosewood cabinet, offers endless storage and display potential for your treasured collections, hall/bath linens...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
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.
Category
Early 19th Century Philippine Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of English Armchairs in Velvet and Walnut Wood
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous pair of velvet armchairs of English manufacture of the late 1800s.
The beautiful armchairs have a walnut wood structure and have been lined with sand colored velvet tending...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in the garden, on a porch or patio. The antique teakwood bench...
Category
Early 20th Century Central American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Struttura Poltrona Tripolina, Originale Anni 50. Da Transatlantico
Located in Felino, IT
Galleria Profumo e Fuselli di Genova nel 1949. poltrona originale da transatlantico.
struttura in teak , giunti in ottone.
fa parte di una fornitura navale degli anni 50...
Category
1950s European Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
British Soldier's Woolwork or Woolie, 19h Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptional example of a 19th century British soldier's "Woolie" or woolwork that is signed "G.W. Whitby/India. The woolwork depicts the ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool, Glass, Wood
19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 19th century Sri Lankan Trunk made of jakwood with ebony trim. Bright hardware and handles on squat feet.
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony
British Colonial Elephant Head Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style one drawer writing desk or table crafted in walnut with a chic pecan finish with contrived aging and featuring four carved elephant head legs with an India inspired...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
British Arts & Crafts Minton Tile Plateau
Located in New York, NY
British Arts & Crafts Minton tile plateau, rectangular with a carved egg-and-dart modeled frame on bun feet, centering three turquoise and green-glazed flo...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British Colonial style stands or tables with faux bamboo frames having a faux tortoise finish and with round tops and lower tier covered with grasscloth.
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth
Early 20th Century Vintage English Walnut Buffet Cabinet with Casters
Located in Seattle, WA
English buffet with marble top and 2 doors. The handles and escutcheons are bronze. It rests on four tapered legs that ends in casters.
Dimensions. Approx 36 W ; 30 H ; 19 D.
Category
1920s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Cast Iron Firedog Andirons of Soldiers Val D´Osne, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of 19th century French firedogs or andirons in cast iron stamped Val d´Osne. The andirons appear in their unbeatable old patina making the "Zoauve" soldier and the "Grenadier" soldier formed figures fabulously attractive. The foundry of Val d´Osne grounded in 1836 by Jean-Pierre-Victor André, is the maker of the Crystal Palace in London, build for the 1851 Great Exhibition...
Category
19th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Bamboo Lounge Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage lounge chair crafted with bent bamboo and woven rattan in an elegant modern form featuring pullout footrest and adjustable back.
Extended depth 60".
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
British Colonial Style Nest of Faux Bamboo Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style nest of three tables with faux burnt bamboo frames wrapped with reed and grasscloth panels at the top.
Largest to smallest:
H: 22.5 W: 22 D: 16.5
H: 20 ...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Inlaid Center Table
By David Linley
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual center table crafted in mahogany and walnut veneer with an octagon form top having a sunburst grain design with a floral border inlaid with Macassar ebony, satinwood, sycamor...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Burlap, Ebony, Sycamore, Walnut
Two Tiered Server or Stand by Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style two tiered server or stand crafted in mahogany with a West Indies style, a carved gallery over one drawer, having carved and bea...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Mersman Mahogany Lyre Base 3 Tier Dumbwaiter Table
Located in Germantown, MD
This early 1900s table would be wonderful in a entryway filled with flowers, or used to serve food at an event. It is in great condition - very solid and well built. However it does ...
Category
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of French Rattan Cafe Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of antique French rattan and reed cafe chairs with bent wood frames decorated with painted and natural reed wrapped rattan in a g...
Category
Early 20th Century French British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Reed
19th Century British Colonial Tea Plantation Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890
Rare Teak and leather lounge chair that was formerly used in a Tea Estate in India. Hand made with pull out leaves that transform into leg rests and can be tucked back ...
Category
1890s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Great Pair of Vintage Mahogany Planters Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Great pair of vintage mahogany planters chairs with canvas.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Mahogany
Tropical Oil Painting on Canvas of a Haitian Road
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Oil Painting on canvas depicting a path or road with figures engaged in daily life in a tropical setting, executed in an atypical impressionist style. Signed Poisson Haiti in the low...
Category
Mid-20th Century Haitian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint
Pair of Apple Green Unusual Velvet Pillows
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
These cushions were made by a famous Swiss workshop (whose name I don't remember), with a beautiful green velvet.
Size are cm. 40 x 40 (padding) with a 12 cm. band all around.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Velvet
British Colonial Style Bamboo Recliner Chair with Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century recliner chair crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with caned seating featuring a pull out ottoman and Morris style reclini...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Novelty Royal Navy Purser’s Ceramic Grog Mug
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Novelty Royal Navy Purser’s Ceramic Grog Mug
A Great looking piece in very good condition
The Mug is 3.5” high and 3.5” in diameter
TAC227.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
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 ...
Category
1950s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Antique 19th Century Colonial Walnut Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table w/ Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century American Colonial walnut drop leaf breakfast dining table with drawer. Item features remarkable authentic patina, turn carved legs, drop leaf sides, solid wood c...
Category
19th Century North American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Drum Form Rattan and Leather Coffee Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style coffee table with a round top composed of a stitched leather abstract mosaic over a classic drum form crafted in reed wrapped rattan on three wrapped legs.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan
Antique English Two Piece Walnut Buffet Storage Cabinet or Book Shelf
Located in Seattle, WA
Antique English Two Piece Walnut Buffet Storage Cabinet or Book Shelf.
Category
1820s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Dutch Oak Tilt-Top End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Dutch oak tilt-top end table is an English design, and ideal for providing a convenient end table or lamp table, then with the top tilted it has the ability to tuck agai...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique British Colonial 1830s Caned Oak Reclining Mechanical Dental Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Englishman James Snell of London made the first mechanical dental chair with an adjustable seat and back for doctors to examine their patients more efficiently. This exquisite exampl...
Category
1830s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Oak
Pair of Thai Rosewood Elephant Howdah Saddle Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of elephant saddle style chairs crafted with rosewood in a distinctive Thai form, hand carved depicting elephants, which are a symbol of fortune, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique English Gaming Wheel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting antique English gaming wheel crafted in pine darkened by aged shellac with leather stopper and decoupaged numbers 1 through 30 and se...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Bookcase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style bookcase or etagere featuring a faux bamboo frame, tooled leather panels on the sides, shelves, and drawer fronts having classic lion head hardware...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Antique English Axminster Rug. 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Antique English Axminster Rug, Country of Origin: England, Circa date: 1900. Size: 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in (4.52 m x 6.17 m)
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Super King Bed Frame in Faux Tortoise
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style super king bed with faux bamboo faux tortoise posts, borders, and applied geometric designs over a grasscloth background. Complet...
Category
20th Century North American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
British Colonial Tradewinds Rattan & Copper Grandfathers Clock Bonnet Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial tradewinds Rattan & copper Grandfathers clock Bonnet mirror
Modeled after the bonnet of a tall case clock, with turned hardwood finials, applied engraved copper fretwork...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Copper
2 Vanity Fair Pictures Military Uniforms by Reginald Augustus Wymer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
2 vanity fair pictures military Uniforms by Reginald Augustus Wymer (1849-1935)
The pictures are framed and have signatures, they are in nice conditi...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
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...
Category
20th Century Burmese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Teak
West Indies Carved and Caned Daybed or Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial daybed, most likely Barbadian crafted in mahogany with a graceful form, floral carvings, handmade construction, caned seat, back and side, and turned legs with brass...
Category
19th Century Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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.
Category
Early 19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Antique High Back Curved English Pine Pub Settle Hall Storage Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
18th century antique high back curved English pine wood pub sette hall storage bench. Item features tall curved form, remarkable patina, 3 lift off storage seats...
Category
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Mid-Century Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Nests of Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of British colonial style nests of tables or stands each with faux bamboo frames wrapped with reed and grass cloth panels on the table tops.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Reed
Pair of 1940s Mid Century Ladies Riding Boots with Wooden Stretchers
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of leather riding boots with wooden stretchers. Leather is still intact and in good condition. Pull up straps are still attached and working. Stretcher is a 3 part mapl...
Category
1940s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Maple
Two Antique English Bookcases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Near pair of British colonial bookcases crafted in mahogany in a step down form with brass campaign style side handles, one lower drawer and turned legs on brass casters.
From le...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Persian Shiraz Gallery Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Persian Shiraz Gallery size rug
Measures: 4'11'' x 11'8''.
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Colonial California King Shell Bed, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in Pasadena, CA
Our shell bed in Cal king size, made from African mahogany. Finished with brass hex caps on all bolt covers. Solid platform bottom. Made in our Los Angeles W...
Category
2010s American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Baker Furniture English Barley Twist Oak, Brass, and Glass Cocktail Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous English barley twist coffee or cocktail table
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1960s
Oak, brass and glass
Measures: 43.5" W x 4...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mother of Pearl French Colonial Vietnamese 2-Door Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
A solid rosewood cabinet with the front richly inlaid with mother of pearl depicting birds and a delicate floral motif. Made in Vietnam for the export market. The two doors open to r...
Category
20th Century Vietnamese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Lovely Pair of Bright Red Wool Rugs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A lovely pair of bright red wool rugs
The carpets haves a wonderful bright colour with an attractive pattern and a wide border, they are both 1n good a...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique 19th C Hand Painted Distressed Wood Blanket Chest Dovetail Trunk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century hand painted distressed wood blanket chest dovetail trunk. Item features dovetail construction, cast iron hardware, hand painted interior lid, solid wood constru...
Category
19th Century German Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century King Size Mahogany Jamaican Double Waterfall Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant Caribbean mahogany bed was constructed in the 19th century in Jamaica. This Rare West Indies Bedstead exhibits a scarce and desirable hand carved iconic Jamaican Double Waterfall headboard which resonates with the four solid mahogany turned and reeded bedpost. This exceptionally carved bed with grand scale makes it a decorative work of art. This Remarkable Jamaican mahogany four poster bed has been converted to a king size bed for modern use by David Skinner...
Category
19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Poplar
British Colonial X-Design Display Cabinet Reproduction
Located in Pasadena, CA
Cabinet, Display X-Design w/2 Glass Doors Repro
A handsome reproduction piece of a British Colonial rosewood X-design display cabinet. The cabinet features intricately carved deta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Beautiful Persian Bakhtiari Gallery Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th century Persian Bakhtiari Gallery size rug
Measures: 5'8'' x 11'4''.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
1800s Georgian Solid Mahogany Accent Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique solid mahogany occasional table with waved legs and unique top shape.
We noticed that a leg has been repaired at some point, but apparently not noticeable to our opinion.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
British Colonial Style Leather Top Desk
By Kittinger
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Leather Top Desk. Five drawer desk crafted in mahogany with a classic form, three tooled brown leather panels on a top with a beaded edge, exotic burled cuts o...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
British Colonial Solid Teak Plantation Shutters with Panel Work Dovetailed
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Colonial solid teak plantation shutters uncompromisingly made. 1.25" thick teak from old grown timber. Varnished. Customize and introduce y...
Category
Early 1900s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
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.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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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