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
Vintage Brighton Chinoiserie Rattan Blonde Bamboo Caning Split Reed Armchair 70s
By Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage blonde bamboo, caning and split reed armchair on six legs. This is a handcrafted chair with woven cane seat features bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns.
The b...
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed
$1,746 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
Lillian August embossed leather top side table.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a Lillian August Leather top side table. This round side table has four fluted legs with solid brass casters at the bottom. This tabl...
Category
2010s Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Safari style Giraffe Wall Bracket
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Safari style giraffe head wall bracket set honed by the artist.
Category
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Composition
Vintage Ralph Lauren Home Tufted Leather Chaise
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Hartville, OH
Extraordinary Vintage Find. This spectacular example came to us having been well loved by a 4 legged family member. After years of daily enjoyment and much to our disappointment, the...
Category
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
Large White Table Coral Sculpture on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive white coral assemblage using an exceptionally large table coral specimen with its sea inspired color and textures. Presented on a lucite base to enhance the sculptural ele...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Solomon Islands British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Coral
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
Maitland Smith Painted Monkey Landscape Crackled Coromandel Wall Panel 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
Hand painted Maitland Smith Coromandel wall panel. Features a crackled landscape with monkeys holding peaches in a tropical setting amongst bird...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century English Campaign Marine Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
Located in NICE, FR
This stunning mahogany chest of drawers model was originally used by the British navy. It features charming typical campaign handles as well two carrying handles on both its sides.
...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
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 Style Pair of Bamboo and Grasscloth Stands or Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of mid century stands crafted in grasscloth and bamboo with four transforming foldout trays or surfaces, can be used with one,...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Serving Bar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century serving bar handcrafted with a mahogany top over a bamboo and bent bamboo frame having grasscloth woven in a herringbone pattern on the sides and front. The back...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo
English Tea Table, 1930s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Tea table with marquetry net, English style, early 20th century.
The lower part opens onto 4 side trays.
Very cute, can be used as a trolley.
Category
1920s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
English Country Brown Leather Horse Saddle
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style brown and black leather riding saddle with a sheepskin blanket.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs; The Collection of Andre Leon Talley
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs w/ fitted upholstered seat cushion. Seat cushion is removable. From Andre Leon Talley's Collection.
A striking pair of large wicker armchairs, meticul...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage British Colonial Style Anglo Indian Blanket Rack with Carved Fists
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage Anglo Indian blanket or display rack crafted in mahogany with a fly speck finish having two turned supports with carved fists at the top holding cross bars on turned...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Luggage Crocodile Skin Leather Suitcase, Colonial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique suitcase made of crocodile leather handstitched with leather lacing and secured with tacks, an attractive antique reptile skin suitcase with a...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
$2,438 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of British Colonial Style Carved Caned Plantation Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of hand-carved plantation chairs crafted in the British colonial taste. The chairs feature large frames decorated with reeded, scrolled seats having delicate acanthus de...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Wood
British Colonial Solid Maple Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial or Early American extension harvest style dining table
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Solid maple, with turned legs.
Measures: 72.5"W x 44"D x 30.25"H. ...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Maple
Brass Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brass banana tree or palm tree sculpture with a custom burnished bronze like finish, removable leaves, a weighted base decorated with floral designs,...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Vintage Tufted Leather Reclining Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style chaise lounge with tufted leather upholstery featuring an adjustable reclining back, brass tacks and turned legs with brass casters.
H: 35 W: 70 D: 2...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
British Colonial Style Bamboo and Woven Rattan Desk With Leather Inset Top
By Tommy Bahama
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking desk crafted in 2005 in the British Colonial style, featuring bamboo legs, woven rattan drawer fronts, and a tooled leather inset top.
Three drawers provide functional sto...
Category
Early 2000s American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Wood, Driftwood
Arctic Council Discussing A Plan For The Search of The John Franklin Expedition
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The Arctic Council Discussing The Plan for the Search of the The John Franklin Expedition
After Stephen Pearce.
Limited Edition reproduction copied f...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century British Ceylonese Handblown Etched ‘Glow Lamp’ Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century British Ceylonese handblown etched ‘Glow Lamp’ bell jar lantern. These lanterns were handblown in Sri Lanka for the British expats. They were re...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Large Glass Hibiscus and Palm Leaf Serving Platter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large glass serving platter in the shape of a palm leaf with a Hibiscus flower at the stem. The top of the platter is smooth, and the underside i...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$224 Sale Price
20% Off
WWII British Military Antique Vintage Wicker Pannier Basket Hamper
Located in Stockbridge, GB
WWII British Military Antique Wicker Pannier Basket Hamper
This original World War II mule pannier basket is constructed from wicker with a zinc-lined interior. The top is covered i...
Category
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker
Pair of Bamboo Woven Rattan Hexagon Side End Tables
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of oversized two tier tables in bamboo & woven rattan with removable glass tops; Bloomingdales circa 1990s. Dimensions when measuring across from point to point: 27.5" wide, whe...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
A British Colonial carved wooden settee with swan neck back and out-scrolling arms, cane seat and turned legs. This British Colonial carved woo...
Category
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
Jamaican Cuban Mahogany Upholstered Sofa with Acanthus & Lion Paw Feet. C. 1820
Located in Charleston, 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 20th Century Colonial Sri Lankan Satinwood Garden Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Hand-turned garden chair made of solid satinwood, Colonial, Sri Lanka, circa 1900. Hand-caned seat and back.
Came from a British Military family in Sri Lanka.
40.25" overall height ...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Satinwood
Pair of British Colonial Style Plantation Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chairs with matching ottomans made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs feature a gracefully carved teak frame with large s...
Category
20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Teak
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
$1,250 / set
Faux Bamboo Cane And Brass Handled Sideboard by American of Martinsville
Located in Reading, Berkshire
American of Martinsville Bergere and Faux Bamboo Sideboard With Cane sectional fronts and brass handles.
Founded in 1906, American of Martinsvil...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,598 Sale Price
60% Off
Pair of Mid-Century Palm Tree Decorative Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In vogue pair of mid-century stylized palm tree sculptures crafted in cast fiberglass. Painted in an off white finish and presented in faux planters filled with seashells.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass
Pair of Mercury Glass Silvered Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of mercury glass silvered candlesticks.
Silvered mercury glass is mouth-blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution. The silvering is ...
Category
Late 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass
Early 19th Century Masonic Lodge Ceremonial Throne Chair with Magic Symbols
Located in London, GB
Antique Masonic Chair, Throne Chair, Gothic Chair, Occult Chair, Religious Antique Chair, Masonic Antique.
Early 19th Century Masonic Lodge Ceremonial T...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
pair of chests of drawers, natural fibers, Signed Kreiss
By Kreiss
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of high quality chests of drawers with a warm and timeless appearance. They could be combined with rattan, brass or natural wood elements for a harmonious look. They would be a ...
Category
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Natural Fiber
Baker British Colonial Style Bamboo Queen Bed Frame
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style queen size bed frame crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with reed wrapped joints, lacquered panels with a crackle glaze, and bronze finials and feet. Signed Mil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Reed
Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th Century Ceylonese Satinwood & Caned Lounge Chairs.
These are a pair of British Colonial Ceylonese satinwood and cane chairs. Made in the Late 19th in Ceylon (now Sri La...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Satinwood
Maitland Smith Mahogany Curio Golf Ball Display Wall Cabinet Case German Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare Maitland Smith curio cabinet. Made from naturally distressed mahogany with glass front opening to four shelves with brass tee shaped pedestals intended to display golf balls. The crown of the clock showcases crossed golf clubs over a German made clock...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century campaign chest with seven drawers handcrafted in camphor wood and featuring a pullout desk with nooks, drawers and a leather writi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 18th-Early 19th Century Swing Post Mount Whale Oil Lamp
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A late 18th-early 19th century swing post mount whale oil lamp, a fine example of a ships or wall/post mount whale oil lamp, which swings from the top a...
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
British Colonial Antique 1910 Cheltenham Silver Coffee Service Sheffield England
Located in Miami, FL
1910 English silver coffee service by Cheltenham & Company, Ltd. Sheffield, England.
All 4 pieces have the same maker's marks on the bottoms complete with the engraved unicorn design...
Category
1910s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
Antique Copper Brass Nautical Maritime Gimbal Compass Binnacle Ship Oil Lamp 14
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English nautical / maritime ship / Yacht / lifeboat binnacle gimbal compass with rare double oil lamps. Copper and brass body with double oil ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Robert Lighton British Khaki Teak Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Silk Curtains 92"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Robert Lighton British Khaki X armoire / wardrobe / TV console / cabinet. Made of teak featuring dark ebonized finish with double jointed doors ...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tudor Bed in Traditional Stained Solid Cherry with Paneled Headboard and Ceiling
Located in Tiverton, RI
Impressive in its formal qualities and celebration of craft and detail this piece has a fully wood paneled ceiling and headend with large turned footposts.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A 20th century British Colonial solid ebony two-door display cabinet, from Sri Lanka.
Category
20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Ebony
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
Small Brighton Pavillion White Wrought Iron Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Miniature Brighton Pavillion style settee. This piece is finished in gloss white with a Ralph Lauren upholstered seat cushion in a chinoise...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Caribbean Mahogany Reeded and Barley Twist Four Poster Bed, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, 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
Antique American Colonial Cherry Wood Slender Leg Pembroke Lamp Side End Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Colonial Cherry Wood Slender Leg Pembroke lamp side end table. Item features tall slender legs with pad feet, drop sides, solid wood c...
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Regency Style Anglo Indian Chair
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A well proportioned Anglo Indian armchair. Hand craved out of rosewood, the chair carved with rosettes and the back rest is carved is the form of horns. The seat is woven cane and u...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Teak
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
Monumental 19th C., "The March of the Guards to Finchley" After William Hogarth
Located in Atlanta, GA
After William Hogarth (English, 1697-1764), originally done circa 1750 - this is likely done in the mid 1800's.
"The March of the Guards to Finchley, also known as The March to Finc...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
$6,160 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 20th Century British Colonial Rattan and Black Lacquered Chest by Milling R
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A refined example of British Colonial style, this late 20th century chest by Milling Road for Baker Furniture features a refinished rattan-wrapped drawer front design with a rich hon...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan
Mid-Century Modern Italian Globe for Bar Desk Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Tabletop Vintage Wooden Spinning Globe, Marked "Made in Italy"
Charming hand-crafted Mid-Century Modern spinning tabletop globe featuring an antique design sepia brown world m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
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.