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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
Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books, 2000 Books in Brown And Red Available
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large collection of Scandinavian decorative antique library leather-bound books Please note that the pictures listed are a sample of the books available and not the exact 50 books available. We will send pictures of the actual books before shipping them out. An attractive collection of 2000 mid-size antique leather-bound books. This lot of books on literature from Sweden are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of varying rich, warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The books seated side-by-side measures 2,5 meters, approximate 8´2 foot run. This collection of antique Swedish books are ready to ship and take their place, handsomely adorning your bookcase or library shelves...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Paper

Century Furniture Wedge Side Table
Located in Toronto, ON
Uniquely shaped and in almost showroom condition, this fantastic piece of solid wood furniture oozes with craftsmanship. Fabricated with a mix of woodworking techniques including a d...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Leather Clad Desk by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive Mid Century desk crafted with a faux bamboo frame having a faux tortoise finish featuring tooled leather panels on the top, front, side and back, lower tier storage and be...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Faux Bamboo

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

Very Large Bronze Elephant Sculpture, Near Life Size
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable elephant sculpture expertly crafted in bronze with a lush patina, ambitious attention to detail, and a dramatic near life size scale.
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful antique English stick back Windsor chair from the early 19th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this beautiful antique English stick back Windsor chair from the early 19th century. The Windsor chair is a timeless classic and can easily be placed in both a modern and ...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Mahogany & Caned Armchair A low comfortable reading chair made out of Mahogany and cane. Lovely carved details on arms, back, and legs. Reeded wood details along the...
Category

20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

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 meets oriental influence. We are pleased ...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Teak

Vintage 1970s Chapman Brass Faux Rams Horn Library Reading Floor Lamp 51"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa 1970's Chapman Brass floor lamp featuring a round, stepped pedestal base and artificial ram's horn perched on the column body with black accents, leading to a faux candlestick ...
Category

1970s Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Cane Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Caned Armchair Made entirely out of satinwood. Gentle curved back. Hand caning seat - still in good condition. Spiral arms are a un...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

Beautiful English Center Table 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful English Center Table 19th Century Facaded in mahogany wood and mahogany root with inlays. Top decorated with marquetry, with plant motifs, resting on four turned columns w...
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Rattan Lowboy Dresser
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage British colonial style dresser inbamboo and rattan. Six spacious drawers clad in rattan with a bamboo skeleton. Wonderful diamond pattern throughout. Would work in a variety ...
Category

1990s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Cane

Vintage British Colonial Plantation Ladder Back Rush Armchairs Pair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful pair of British Colonial plantation armchairs with tall ladder back and natural woven Rush seating, Circa 1960's. Oak or Mohogany. Except...
Category

1960s British Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rush, Oak

Pair of British Colonial Style Etched Mercury Glass Lanterns or Light Fixtures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of exotic lanterns hand blown in classic form, hanging from hammered metal hardware featuring etched floral designs on a translucent mercury background.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass

18th Century English Linen Press ~ Cabinet in Stripped Oak
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century English Linen Press ~ Cabinet in Stripped Oak was designed to be the ultimate storage piece for an affluent family! Two large cabinet doors with four panels each provid...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Caned Faux Bamboo Etagere, Mid-Late 20th Century
Located in Wembley, GB
A tiered faux bamboo mahogany etagere with caned panels. English, mid-late 20C. Stock ref. #2392 In good sturdy order with light cosmetic wear. 77 x 33.5 x 33.5 cm 30.3 x 13.2 x ...
Category

1970s British Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Vintage Burberry Leather Plaid Case or Wallet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Burberry cigarette case or wallet with flap closure. Good condition vintage cigarette pack holder, great to use as a wallet or to store keys, phone, lipsticks, playing game c...
Category

Late 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Maitland Smith Carved Mahogany & Rattan Queen Anne Plant Stand Beverage Chiller
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful late 20th Century plant stand / planter by Maitland Smith. Made from mahogany with a rectangular form over swooping cabriole legs and scrolled feet. Features scallop carv...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Welsh Cupboard ~ Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Welsh Cupboard ~ Sideboard is a clever design originating in what is now called the UK, providing means to store cups, saucers and linens, while displaying some of the family...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Steel

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

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

Baker Pair of Vintage British Colonial Caned Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large scale pair of mid century British colonial style stands with two caned tiers having turned supports with finials at the tops, classic legs and brass casters. Signed Baker on th...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of British Colonial Style Bamboo & Cane Side Tables
Located in Bellport, NY
Pair of British Colonial style faux tortoise shell bamboo and cane side tables. Two levels, great for a lamp, books on second level. A style that is transitional, which blends in w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Adjustable sheepskin leather office chair in good condition, English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this adjustable sheepskin leather office chair in good condition, English style, with swivel and tilt function. Who wouldn't want this? We certainly do! Secretly, doesn'...
Category

1990s British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Sheepskin

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

Brass, Iron

Vintage Maitland Smith Bronze Monkey Riding Ostrich Table Lamp Leather Shade 39"
Located in Dayton, OH
A charming late 20th century table lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a bronze Ostrich carrying a Monkey. The bronze is over a round tessellated marble base and includes a embossed ost...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Early 20th-C. British Colonial Style Carved Oak Pineapple Form Pedestals -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century British colonial style carved oak pineapple form pedestals. They are in very good condition and are a great size to support your statuary or plants!
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Oak

Vintage Maitland Smith Tooled Leather Round Somno Faux Book Side Table Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
A colorful tooled leather faux book "Somno Table" or cabinet by Maitland Smith, circa last quarter 20th century. Features two round stacks of books with titles such as; Fine Art, Poe...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Albert Engstrom Leather & Gilt Swedish Book Set, C. 1945
Located in Ross, CA
Set of 6, leather bound book set written by Albert Engstrom (1869-1940), published by Bonnier's in Stockholm in 1945. The Swedish language books are books are filled with the author...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Maitland Smith Harlequin Penshell Brass Footed Decorative Modern Box Urn
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Maitland Smith Lidded Box / Urn. Features a beautiful Harlequin pattern Penshell exterior resting on a footed brass neoclassical style tasseled base. The lid opens ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Vintage Maitland Smith Figural Bronze Monkey Desk Lamp With Pen Shell Shade 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive handmade figural bronze lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a monkey climbing a tree branch, holding an adjustable banker style pen shell shade. The bronze is mounted to a...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Bone Inlaid And Carved Moroccan Teak Side Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of heavily carved hexagon form teak and bone inlaid Moroccan side tables. They most likely date to at least the 1950s or earlier. They are both in very good condition.
Category

1950s Moroccan Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bone, Teak

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 ...
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

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

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

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

King Size Teak & Caned Back Bed Frame by British Khaki
Located in Southampton, NY
King size teak & caned back bed frame by British Khaki British Colonial style design in teak and hand-caned headboard. Clean and classic style bed ...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

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

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

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

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

A 19th Century Brass Bound Mandalay 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

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

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

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 ...
Category

1990s Chinese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Anglo Indian Carved Rosewood Console Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A mid 19th century beautiful and highly decorative British colonial rosewood console table supported by four profusely carved legs terminating into mythical animal faces at the table...
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

Rustic 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, late 19th / early 20th century, primitive hand-crafted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

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

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

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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