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
Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy bronze bell, tower bell.
This is a very heavy piece it is on an Oak Yoke with iron fixings including a the bracket which holds the rope
For the purpose of the pictures and...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Antique Folding Chair, Campaign Safari
Located in Miami, FL
Wood and Black Faux Leather Antique Folding Chair, Made in France. Brass Hardware. Ready for a new home.
Category
1940s French Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
1 Large Mounted Sable Antelope Skull with Large Curved Ringed Horns / Antlers
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent, stunning African sable antelope with large curved ringed horns or antlers mounted on a wrought iron stand. The piece is mounted as a scul...
Category
20th Century African British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 19th Century British Colonial Child's Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of 19th century British Colonial chairs made for children with cane seats, nicely carved arms and half-moon legs.
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cane
Maitland-Smith Vintage Two Door Faux Bamboo and Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century British colonial style handcrafted cabinet featuring a faux burnt bamboo frame with a bow front form, jungle camouflage lacquer panels, stick and fist hardware a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Handsome Military Snare Drum from Sevenoaks Air Training Corps
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Handsome military snare drum from sevenoaks air training corps.
This a good decorative piece ‘2158 SEVENOAKS SQDn’ AIR TRAINING CORPS’ painted on the f...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Woven Reed Wingback Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of vintage British colonial style wingback armchairs upholstered in grass cloth or woven reed in classic comfortable form with a modern tropical twist, cotton cushion...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker
Serving Tray on a Folding Stand
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style serving tray with a removable top with a herringbone reed surface in a bamboo frame with brass handles on a mahogany folding base carved with a palm leaf motif...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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
Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...
Category
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Barley Twist Dumbwaiter Drop Leaf Table
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Barley Twist Dumbwaiter Drop Leaf Table.
Direct from England, a beautiful antique English oak tea trolley or “dumbwaiter” serving cart. Excel...
Category
1930s British Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Stickley Lancashire Style Cherry Wood Spindle Dining Chairs With Rush Seats
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of six Lancashire style dining chairs
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, 1954
Solid carved cherry wood frames, with rush seats.
Measures:
Side chairs - 21.13"W x 18.75...
Category
1950s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rush, Cherry
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
Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial partners desk hand crafted in mahogany with a brown tooled leather top, two drawers on either side and elegant turned legs on brass casters.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 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 / gilded lea...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury British Colonial style 4-drawer writing desk or work table of bamboo wood frame construction wrapped in woven basket weave cane rattan. Featuring a generous work surface with custom cut glass, fitted to the top & lower open shelves, the desk is finished on all sides allowing for various placement options. Sold as a set including the classic Baker faux bamboo caned...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood
Safari Style British Colonial Elephant Lamp
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage safari style British Colonial Stule elephant base lamp. Sculpture material.
Category
1960s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Synthetic
$592 Sale Price
20% Off
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
British Umbrella or Cane Holder Vintage Fire / Powder Bucket
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A handcrafted thick saddle leather vintage British fire , powder bucket with handle and canvas interior . A matching strap handle with grommets attach it to the container which can b...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Frederick Leo Hunter "Old New Bedford Whaler Andrew Hicks" C. 1929 Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
This remarkable oil painting, titled **"Old New Bedford Whaler – Andrew Hicks"**, is an exquisite maritime artwork that captures the spirit of 19th-century whaling. The painting, exe...
Category
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Pair of English Armchairs in Velvet and Walnut Wood
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous pair of velvet armchairs of English manufacture of the late 1800s.
The beautiful armchairs have a walnut wood structure and have been lined with sand colored velvet tending...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
$2,854 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Woven Back British Colonial Plantation Tea Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Woven Back British Colonial Plantation Tea Chair
This late 19th Century antique British Colonial plantation tea chair is a great lounge ch...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Wood
English Victorian Greyhound Dog Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian style gilt framed oil painting of brown and white greyhound dog.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint
Pair of Brass Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid century modern pair of table lamps crafted in brass in a stylized palm tree form on an octagon ebonized wood base. Best of the genre.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
$7,500 / set
1970's Sculpted Cane & Rattan Bar Stools, 6 available
By Mcquire
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Sculpted twisted cane & rattan counter height bar stools.
Solid and very comfortable. They swivel in the center.
Made in colonial Tiawan, circa 1970's.
They show little to no wear at...
Category
1970s Taiwanese Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan
$2,320 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
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
British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This Is a Large Scale Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
British royal coat of arms wall plaque
This is a large scale piece, it dates from the 1950s and is made in plaster and it is painted in very brig...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Mother of Pearl French Colonial Vietnamese 2-Door Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A solid rosewood cabinet with the front richly inlaid with mother of pearl depicting birds and a delicate floral motif. Made in Vietnam for the export market. The two doors open to r...
Category
20th Century Vietnamese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Wooden Ship Wheel
Located in Queens, NY
Wooden ship wheel with brass trim (19th Cent)
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Collection of 47 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 47 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books.
The books are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of a selection of warm tones and gold leaf print ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
Dos Gallos Studio Custom Walnut Desk or Dining Table with Wishbone Stretcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is our custom wishbone winery table that can be made in any size and with any finish, in a range of colors and distresses. This particular table was going to be used as a desk s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Colonial Style Shell Queen Bed in Ebonized Finish
Located in San Marino, CA
A queen sized 4-poster bed, in Jak wood with an ebonized finish. The bed features hand carved details overall, oversize tassel-style feet, a headboard ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$14,850 / item
Vintage Mahogany Wall Shelf Display
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Elegant light British colonial style mahogany wall etagere display.
Category
1960s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$525 Sale Price
50% Off
Distressed Vintage Turkish Kilim Rug with Southern Living British Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
50769, distressed vintage Turkish Kilim rug with Southern Living British Colonial style. This handwoven wool vintage Turkish Kilim...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th Century English Open Library Caddy, Bookshelf
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English Open Library Caddy ~ Bookshelf is a charming piece that can serve in a variety of roles throughout the home! Originally designed to b...
Category
1890s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Sycamore
Colonial Style Twin Bed Frame
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Colonial style twin bed frame made of maple. Turned baluster bed posts are topped with cannon ball finials, and support slightly scrolled head and foot ...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Maple
Zabihi Collection Oversize Jewel Toned Traditional Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th century Persian Sarouk Oversize Rug
Details
rug no. j4056
size 8' 11" x 15'
Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of Persian rugs worldwide. Most o...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Tole Palm Tree Chandelier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Italian tole five light chandelier with palm leaves over graceful arms with acanthus leaves and floral candle cups all having a rustic aged yell...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of 19th Century English Bergeres
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century English Bergeres
in carved and turned mahogany wood, stuffed in green velvet with casters.
Little defects.
Dimensions: 80 x 66 x 54 cm.
good condition.
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,378 / set
Large Mid 20th Century Teak Ships Wheel A wonderful decorative piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Mid 20th Century Teak Ships Wheel
A wonderful decorative piece, heavy and made in solid teak with Turned spindles radiating out from the centra...
Category
1960s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Vintage Coastal Boho Bamboo Rattan Foldable Dinning / Card Table
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Charming vintage folding table crafted from bamboo and rattan, featuring a striking geometric parquet design on the top.
The natural beauty of the bamboo is highlighted by the warm h...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
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
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Colonial Mahogany Plantation Lounge Cane Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th-century traditional Anglo-Indian Colonial plantation chair, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid mahogany wood with a carved crown...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, 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
Antique Group of Three Smoke Bell Light Fixtures, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout group of three colonial style continental smoke bell glass light fixtures hand blown in classic form with cut designs and brass hammered hardware, using candle power as orig...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
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
19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th century Sri Lankan Trunk made of jakwood with ebony trim. Bright hardware and handles on squat feet.
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony
British Colonial Style Coffee Table with Inset Bronze, Christie's Auction Label
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial Style coffee table with inset bronze. Christie's auction label.
Offered for sale is a British Colonial-style coffee table with an inset bronze grate...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,250 Sale Price
47% Off
Pair of Folding Tripod Stools in Oakwood and Leather
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant pair of turned oak Campaign tripod stools with leather folding seats. England, 1930s.
These folding stools feature a turned oak's wood tripod foldable structure. They have a...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak, Wood
Baker Furniture 18th Century Flemish Style Mahogany Triple Dresser, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous 18th century Flemish reproduction chest of drawers, dresser, or buffet server
By Baker Furniture
USA, mid-20th century
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Turn of the Century English Hotel Front Desk Mail Cabinet
Located in North Miami, FL
This whimsical curiosity cabinet from an English Hotel, used for guests to receive their mail. Roman numerals on enamel tags to windowed doors. The wood is lovely aged and the cabi...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Large Scale British Colonial Style Framed Tropical Fruit / Botanicals -S/9
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of nine very large scale British Colonial style framed reproduction tropical fruit prints. They are nicely framed and matted. They would make a stunning wall! The print...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
19th Century Ebonized Jackwood British Colonial Box on Stand from British Ceylon
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century ebonized jackwood British Colonial box on stand from British Ceylon (Modern day Sri Lanka). Two part box on Stand is made of Jackwood with eb...
Category
19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory 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.