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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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: British Colonial
Carved Mahogany and Caned Recamier or Daybed with Cushion
Located in Nantucket, MA
A mahogany and caned recamier or daybed with carving on both sides, a caned rolled end, and reeded legs. The caning is newly done and in a very tight wov...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

18th Century East Indies Mahogany Raj Bed with Paws
Located in Charleston, SC
An 18th century Raj East Indies bed with elaborate carving, carved tiger paw feet, and a finished tester. Often copying Western or British forms, Rajput courts extracted influence fr...
Category

Late 18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Mid-century solid brass obelisk lamp after Chapman
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome mid-century vintage library style solid brass obelisk lamp. This obelisk lamp has a pedestal with four ball feet, holding up the obelisk with a metal black lacquer...
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage English Brass, Copper, and Pewter Chess Set
Located in Skokie, IL
Vintage English Brass, Copper, and Pewter Chess Set This is a very fine English brass, copper, and pewter gaming set, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. The chess board is...
Category

1980s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Pewter

Late 20th Century Colonial Regency Style Caned Mahogany Armchairs, Set of 4
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th, stylish and handsome mahogany arm chairs with scrolled backrest and arms, caned seat and back, on reeded legs ending in arrow feet, with metallic silver tone removable sea...
Category

Late 20th Century North American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

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

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

Antique 1808 Thomas Rowlandson Pugin Doctors Commons Aquatint Engraving
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 1808 aquatint engraving titled "Doctor's Commons" drawn by Thomas Rowlandson, engraved by Auguste Charles Pugin, aquatint by Joseph Constantine Stadler. Published in London, ...
Category

Early 1800s Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paper

Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Culver City, CA
Campaign Chest of Drawers England circa 1920 Navy chest of drawers with hidden compartments. 38”w x 18.5”d x 35.25”h
Category

1920s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Palacek floor lamps a pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of woven reed Palacek floor lamps .60 inches tall on a 12 x 12 wooden base.. on the back of each lamp, there are doors that give access to the lightbulbs and the shades… Very...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Reed

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

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, ba...
Category

20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

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

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...
Category

Late 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pair 1970s Lane Venture Carved Faux Bamboo Handwoven Caning Wingback Chairs USA
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of British Colonial Style Lane Venture Bamboo, Faux Bamboo and handwoven double Caning Wingback Chairs. Large Lounge Chairs in Bohemian Period Style with a thick Leather Seat Cu...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Faux Bamboo, Cane

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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