British Colonial Furniture
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.
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Steel, Brass
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Grasscloth, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Coconut
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Wood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Hardwood
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Paint, Wood
1990s Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Brass
1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass
1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Metal, Brass
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Walnut
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass, Metal
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Cane, Hardwood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Grasscloth
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Brass
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Faux Bamboo
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Cedar
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Steel, Gold Leaf
British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
British Colonial Interiors
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