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
Sterling Navette Form Dutch Scene Gilt Interior Tea Caddy British Import Mark
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A sterling silver navette form Dutch scene gilt interior tea caddy with British import mark, makers mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck, (Sheffield 1897). Decorated with couples in a t...
Category
1890s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Midcentury Mother of Pearl Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury table lamps with a rectangular form featuring alluring mother of pearl mosaic bodies presented on Lucite bases.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
19th Century British Colonial Ceylonese Satinwood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
Early 19th century British Colonial cabinet of wide-paneled and figured solid satinwood with solid ebony trim. Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the few places in the wo...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
Rare Folky Watercolor Drawings on Paper by L.J. Harboe, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are four rare and historically important watercolor drawings on paper of St. Croix. Painted in a topographical style by L.J.Harboe, effectively transporting us to a time and pla...
Category
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint
British Colonial Decorative Carved Wood Column
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, whic...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Zabihi Collection Room SizeAntique Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
An authentic room size full pile antique Persian Sarouk rug.
Measures: 7'10'' x 11'9''.
Category
1920s Persian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Indian Bed
Located in Mondorf les Bains, LU
Four carved exotic wood legs connected by four sleepers. Braided leather top. Condition of use.
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
19th Century Tufted Leather Foot Stool or Bench, with Raising Capabilities
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a fine, 19th century, brown leather, button tufted foot stool with mahogany frame and brass tacks over turned legs and brass wheels. Having t...
Category
1860s British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century British Colonial Satin Wood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
An exquisite 19th century British Colonial four-door cabinet in solid satinwood ebony and features remarkably beautiful carved molding designs of foliage throughout the exterior. The...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
19th Century Black Lacquered Wood Pedestal with Red Stone Inset
Located in New York, NY
A black lacquered pedestal/stand in elm wood, with red root stone top, cabriole legs and base stretcher, Beijing, 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Stone
Caribbean Mahogany Reeded and Barley Twist Four Poster Bed, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Caribbean mahogany four-poster bed with a carved decorative scrolled spindle head board and foot board, complimented by four reeded and barley twist...
Category
1820s Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Pair of British Colonial Terracotta Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta lions. This majestic pair of painted terracotta lions from the early 20th century will bring an air of regalness to any room.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Colonial Hardwood Table, 19th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique, 19th century hardwood table.
Of immense weight, carved from a single piece of hardwood, this exotic piece makes for an interesting side or lamp table.
The s...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Jamaican Cuban Mahogany Upholstered Sofa with Acanthus & Lion Paw Feet. C. 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Jamaican Cuban mahogany sofa with flanking scrolled arms, reeded skirt, centered rosette, and terminating on acanthus carved lions paw feet. Sofa has be...
Category
1820s Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Muslin, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Caribbean Mahogany Tilt-Top Breakfast Center Table
Located in Charleston, SC
This West Indies center table has an English influence. This piece is published in " West Indian Antique Furniture of the Lesser Antilles...
Category
Early 19th Century Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Traditional Shield Swimming Trophy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Traditional Shield Swimming Trophy
The is a traditional golden oak shield has a large silver plated mount, in the centre “CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SWIMMING FATHER HUDSON’S SHIELD BOYS”
...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
British Colonial Carved Teak Column with Granite Base
Located in Somis, CA
This extraordinary 88" tall column has its original granite base, is made out of solid teak wood featuring an elaborately carved crown. The crown is carved on all four sides with eac...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Granite
19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
Located in Dallas, TX
Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece.
Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods.
This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony.
The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining.
This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!!
We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction.
ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins.
Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:-
(1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Wood
Vintage Impressionist Oil Painting of a Harbor Scene
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In the tradition of 1930s impressionist, here is a painting by H. A. Burnham of a harbor scene, displaying confident brushstrokes and a striking tropical palette. This oil painting c...
Category
20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint
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
Pair of Midcentury Bamboo End Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a pair of tables with a top composed of travertine blocks set in a herringbone pattern, in a maple frame with one drawer that seems to float on the unexpected bamboo base.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Pair of Horn Veneer Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dashing pair of midcentury table lamps featuring Horn veneer mosaic bodies and finished with Classic nickel plated metal tops and feet.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Pair of Early 19th Century Jamaican Regency Mahogany Occasional Tables
Located in Charleston, SC
A matching pair of early 19th century Jamaican Regency mahogany occasional tables, circa 1830, featuring turned pedestal base on tripod base.
West Indies...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
English Colonial Ebony Wood Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A ebony English Colonial games table having a folding top on center column and four cabriole legs.
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ebony
Ficks & Reed Mid-Century Bamboo and Cane Coffee Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Bellport, NY
A Ficks & Reed bamboo and cane coffee table. We also have two matching side tables and a pair of high back armchairs all the same match and pe...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
19th Century British Colonial Wood Counter Game
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Curious mechanical lottery apperatice that has a hardwood spinning canister with pine cap and spout, supported by two turned mahogany posts on a round wood base with ball feet. The p...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Reverse Drawing of Moorish Architecture by Cathy Wiggs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bold image of Moorish architecture executed with a unique technique, a reverse drawing on a sheet of Mylar or plastic. The effect is quite alluring and very much in the manor of the ...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Wooden and Leather Armchairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Pair of solid wood and tawny leather armchairs: subtle wood work for the structure, rounded and contoured lines, the cushions are removable and dressed in fawn leather. All in beauti...
Category
20th Century European British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Exceptional Blue Antique Mohajeran Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning early 20th century Persian Sarouk Mohajeran Rug.
4'3'' x 6'7''
Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of persian rugs worldwide. Most of them consist of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid-Century Modern Double Dome Chandelier or Pendant Light
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic double dome chandelier or pendant light fixture that is both elegant and industrial. The dome glass is ribbed for a lustrous glow; the glass on the bottom has the peaceful patte...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass
18th Century Cherry Candle Stand Tea Table Tripod Pedestal Scallop Carved Top
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 18th century maple and cheerywood candle stand with tripod pedestal base and scallop carved top. Item features remarkable aged patina and desirable worm holes, tripod base, Q...
Category
18th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple
HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]
Located in Hawthorne, CA
A pair of wooden hand-carved chandeliers for an eclectic decor. These pieces are perfect for an island or coastal setting. Of the 19th C. wired to modern standards, origin England 19...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
![HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/upload/1121189/f_85148731505466845290/8514873_master.jpg?width=240 "HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]")
Andrianna Shamaris Raffles Teak Wood Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Rare. This beautiful teak wood colonial console has a single slab 2.5” beveled top.
The antique raffles console table is part of the antique collection, which represents an elegant line of antique teak...
Category
1810s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Gold Brown Vintage Inspired Turkish Runner
Located in New York, NY
Turkish runner in warm colors with a geometric garrus design derived from late 19th century Persian Bidjar rugs.
3' x 14'7''
Category
Late 20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Armorial Porcelain Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of porcelain table lamps hand-painted with Heraldic coats of arms and floral medallions on a white background.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Vintage Pair of Deer Hoof Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of custom English deer hoof table lamps with silver plated candle cups and hardware, presented on custom double plinths. Newly wired. Poss...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin
19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press
Located in Southampton, NY
Early 19th century English Colonial satinwood and ebony linen press. Cabinet is composed of solid Satinwood with solid ebony trim and inlay.
Handmade in Sri Lanka, where both satinw...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
Limited Edition Cast Elephant by Louis Paul Jonas
By Louis Paul Jonas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Limited edition cast elephant that captures the essence of these noble animals. This composition edition is presented on a classical wood base signed Louis Paul Jonas...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Composition
19th Century Tobagonian Specimen Wood Tripod Table Made for 1885 Exhibit
Located in Charleston, SC
An intriguing cedrela and rosewood tripod pedestal table from Tobago, circa 1885, featuring a specimen top with labeled exotic woods. The handwritten labels underneath catalog each o...
Category
19th Century Trinidadian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood, Cedar
Antique Persian Senneh Bibikabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular antique Bibikabad Persian Senneh rug from the 1st quarter of the 20th Century
Measures: 4'7'' x 6'6''.
Category
20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th C Jamaican Minature Spice Cabinet, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean miniature demipress/spice cabinet was made in Jamaica in the 1830's and is attributed to Ralph Turnbull. This British Colonial piece is c...
Category
19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Coconut, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century Anglo-Indian Amber Pumpkin Shape Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Anglo-Indian amber pumpkin shape bell jar lantern.
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Zabihi Rug Collection Turkish Sivas Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A finer quality early 20th century Turkish Sivas rug.
3' x 4'9''
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 19th Century Jamaican Regency Mahogany Pineapple Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
A rare British Colonial Jamaican bed. All mahogany, with abstracted West Indies pineapple motifs throughout, and exquisite twisted reed turnings on each of the posts.
Category
19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
British Colonial Crocodile Case on Custom Stand from the 1920s
Located in Atlanta, GA
A custom stand supporting a crocodile case from India in the 1920s. This case features a crocodile skin exterior with a cloth interior and numerous pockets. On the front are two basi...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Crocodile, Wood
Pair of Eclectic 20th Century British Colonial Terracotta Elephants in Pale Pink
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta elephants from the early 20th century, India, with nicely rendered details. These eclectic statues have a very subtle, nicely aged, layer of pal...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Andrianna Shamaris Shell Inlay Teak Wood Colonial Chair
Located in New York, NY
Colonial reclining plantation chair. Perfect for inside or outside relaxation.
The St. Barts collection features an exciting new line of organic white wash and natural weathered tea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Zabihi Collection Navy Blue Persian Traditional Room Size Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare navy field high-quality antique Persian Sarouk room-size rug. The piece is in mint condition as the previous owner kept it in storage for a long period of time.
Measures: 8'4" ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Tall Antique Indonesian Secretary with Glass Panels
Located in New York, NY
A tall Indonesian antique secretary with twin glass panel doors, mid 19th century. Polychromed wood, three shelves, two drawers. Ornately carved cabriole legs and trim with ball and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Jamaican Regency Mahogany Tilt-Top Breakfast Table
Located in Charleston, SC
This West Indies tilt-top breakfast table was created in Jamaica in the early 19th century, circa 1800. The table is made of solid mahogany from the Caribbean and is mounted on a sta...
Category
Early 19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C Jamaican Mahogany Round Specimen Table, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This table is attributed to Ralph Turnbull, who was a famous Jamaican cabinet maker in the 19th century. Constructed of mahogany with palmwood and satin...
Category
19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Palmwood, Satinwood
Colonial Made Occasional Table, circa 1820
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
An Indian Colonial occasional table in padouk wood on a carved stem and with three claw feet.
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Padouk
A stack of six antique wood trays with bone inlays
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic set of six antique trays that fit into a stack, likely from British India turn of the 20th century. The wood is likely rosewood with attractive grains and the trays are i...
Category
1890s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Bone
Feminine Persian Antique Kerman Brown Pink Rose Accent Room Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative floral Persian rug with a formal presence. Caramel ground with hints of soft blues, raspberries, cinnamon and pinks,
circa 19...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Facing Pair of Early to Mid-20th Century Regal, Majolica Lion Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of very regal seated Majolica lions, a white glaze over a terracotta base, great condition, with some of the terracotta showing through the glaze,...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Barbados Mahogany Leather Top Rent Table with Sand Box Feet on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
Barbados mahogany leather top four drawer rent table with a turned bulbous pedestal resting on a tripod base with original sand box feet and brass casters. Early 19th Century
Category
1810s Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Vintage 1939 Map of the Philippines and 1939 Cenus
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage piece is a 1939 map of the Philippines accompanied by a census, sourced from Volume V of a book containing historical statistical information. Encased in a stylish black...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
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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