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
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
Vintage British Colonial Faux Bamboo & Grasscloth Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stylish 20th century British Colonial style writing desk featuring a faux bamboo wood frame with rich tortoiseshell finish and woven grasscloth panels. The upper gallery includes f...
Category
20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Etagere
Located in Southampton, NJ
A Faux bamboo British Colonial style etagere with mirror detailing, fixed interior shelves behind two glass doors; enhanced with green grasscloth interior. Multifunctional for storag...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass
Set of Three 18th Century Hand-Made Brass Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Three 18th Century Hand-Made Brass Candlesticks were designed to be functional yet attractive as they would remain in plain view all day, and only be utilized at night. Back in the days before electric lighting, candles were worth their weight in silver, as the process to make them was still laborious hand-labor, and the wax itself wasn't inexpensive. Many of our trunks from this period had separate cabinets inside the locked trunk...
Category
1770s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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 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
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
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
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
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 Leather Button Tufted Wingback British Colonial Style Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of British colonial style wingback armchairs upholstered in lush brown leather in a classic elegant form and featuring button tufted backs, brass studs, and turned legs...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
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
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
Antique British Colonial 1830s Caned Oak Reclining Mechanical Dental Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Englishman James Snell of London made the first mechanical dental chair with an adjustable seat and back for doctors to examine their patients more efficiently. This exquisite exampl...
Category
1830s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Oak
$1,400 Sale Price
40% Off
Regency Campaign-Style X-Base Cane Stools in the Manner of Gillows of Lancaster-
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A refined pair of Campaign-style stools featuring elegant X-base frames and handwoven cane seats, in the manner of Gillows of Lancaster.
These stools showcase turned stretchers, scro...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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
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
British Colonial California King Shell Bed, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in San Marino, CA
Our shell bed in Cal king size, made from African mahogany. Finished with brass hex caps on all bolt covers. Solid platform bottom. Made in our Los Angeles W...
Category
2010s American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique English Georgian Style Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial 19th century English Georgian style partners desk handcrafted in mahogany in three piece construction featuring a tooled leather top, six drawers and a cabi...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Teak Museum Vitrine Cabinet
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A teak museum vitrine cabinet, in excellent condition. This generously sized cabinet features glass panels on all sides, three front doors, and glass shelving inside.
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Teak
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
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
English Pond Boat on Stand with Original Sails Brass Rudder Zinc Keel C. 1940
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this hand made wooden pond boat with original cloth sails dates from the 1940s. This is a single mast sailboat - we believe it is a sloop - and features a bow sprit...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
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
Antique 19th Century Colonial Walnut Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table w/ Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century American Colonial walnut drop leaf breakfast dining table with drawer. Item features remarkable authentic patina, turn carved legs, drop leaf sides, solid wood c...
Category
19th Century North American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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
Pair of 19th Century English Bergeres
By Europa
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
$2,329 / set
British Colonial Handwoven Cane Turned Wood Spindle Frame Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
1950 refinished British Colonial handwoven Cane Chaise Lounge, Daybed or Sofa with turned Wood Frame and support Stretchers in brown Finish.
Bohemian Chic Style with a graceful form ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
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
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
Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Indoor or outdoor British Colonial teak plantation or planters chair with cane seat and back. Wonderful weathered wood patina.
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
Early 20th-C. British Colonial Heavily Carved Oak Sideboard / Server
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Love this piece! This is an early 20th century heavily carved oak British colonial server. The apron has stand out detail with it’s plethera of carved lion busts...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Ralph Lauren British Colonial Carved Mahogany Sideboard Buffet or Console Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial, American Classical, or Victorian style carved mahogany sideboard, buffet server, or console table
By Ralph Lauren
Circa Late 20th Century
Measures: 6...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese 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
Faux Bamboo Three Drawer Lacquered Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Lots of detail on this very sturdy chest of drawers. This three drawer faux bamboo chest has been freshly lacquered in a coastal shade of blue. Very versatile piece that could be use...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Castilian Ornamental Porcelain & Brass Elephant Horn Drinking Hunt Vase 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornamental hunt theme drinking horn / centerpiece trophy / cornucopia epergne / flower vase featuring a tapered pedestal base with brass capped feet and circus Elephant balancing a porcelain horn or tusk. Stamped on base, Item No. 4052-C4A. Castilian Imports...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
$460 Sale Price
20% Off
Teak Museum Display Cabinet
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A gorgeous teak museum display cabinet featuring glass panels on the sides and a pair of sliding glazed doors at the front. The cabinet has a wooden back panel and sturdy shelves in...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
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
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
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
English Folding Ships Ladders
Located in Faversham, GB
A superb high quality folding ships ladder in mahogany with a beautiful rich red colour and patina.
The ladder is complemented with nickle plated brass hi...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
$968 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Brighton Pavillion Burnt Bamboo Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful & Rare Vintage Brighton Pavillion loveseat / settee with cane seat.
Add your own cushion of choice.
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Freestanding Cheval Floor Mirror
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful British colonial style floor mirror with faux burnt bamboo frame and cane details. Great geometric pattern up top. Would work well in a variety of interiors
Mirror only ...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Cane
5 Antique Cecil Aldin 1st Ed Chromolithograph Hunting Prints Fallowfield Hunt
By Cecil Aldin
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful collection of 1901 chromolithographic prints from the work of equestrian and sporting artist Cecil Aldin (1870-1935).
Includes
3 scenes from the The Fallowfield Hunt
Re...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique British Colonial Anglo Indian Teak Split Reed Rattan Plantation Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century British Colonial Anglo Indian plantation chair. Made from teak in mortise and tenon joinery with a relaxed lounged frame and long arms. Features a curved crest rail and split reed bent rattan seat.
There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a day's backbreaking work. In the 19th century, plantation owners used a specific chair. Called, naturally enough, the planter...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
$1,880 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Indian Silver Hip Flask with Leather Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian 900 standard silver hip flask with the original leather case; part of our wine and drinks related silverware collection.
This exceptional antique Indian 900 standard silver hip flask has an oval rounded form.
The surface of this antique silver hip flask...
Category
1910s Indian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
Pair of Faux 'Elephant Tusk', Marble Bookends or Dresser Ornaments, 20th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of faux elephant tusk bookends or decorative ornaments for your desk, dresser or in front of your entrance hall mirror. They are constructe...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Marble
$461 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Vintage Painting Still Life with Fruit - Study of Mellons
Located in San Diego, CA
The oil on canvas painting majestically depicts a group of mellons in different sizes. The scene is depicted against a dark ground, however the artist has included dimension by focus...
Category
1950s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Canvas
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
Antique English Copper Flagon Jug Vessel Pitcher Hallmark #2 C. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful Antique English Copper FLAGON, Pitcher, Vessel or Jug #2~~c. 1900
Excellent heavy copper flagon with hallmark
15" tall to top of handle
...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Copper
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.