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
Group of Three Antique Anchor Form Sailors Valentines, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique group of three sailors valentines from the West Indies in an unusual anchor form, hand decorated in exotic seashells and featuring pincushions, giving function to form. Price...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Shell, Felt
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
Six-Drawer Bamboo and Cane British Colonial Style Dresser or Chest.
Located in Bellport, NY
A handcrafted six-drawer dresser, of bamboo and cane, all drawers are on slides.
for easy handling, woven cane fronts and bamboo frames.
A transitional and neutral piece that work...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
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
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
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
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
Mid-20th Century Rattan Tub Side Chairs by Lewittes- Pair New Uphol/refinished
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Introducing an exquisite pair of vintage mid-20th century rattan tub side chairs by Lewittes, beautifully refinished to bring out their intricate rattan craftsmanship. Each chair is ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rattan
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
Rupert Bevan Croft Dining Chair (in customer's own choice of material/leather)
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our signature Croft Dining Chair sits comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings, with its generous seat and elegant backrest. Legs and frame in solid oak with a natur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
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
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
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
Danish child chair 1930s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tiny child chair in stained pine. With the right amount of patina.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair British Colonial Style Rattan, Tessellated StoneChests/Nightstands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair British Colonial Style Rattan and bamboo Tessellated Stone Chests/Nightstands
A pair of exquisite British Colonial Style Bamboo, Rattan, ...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rupert Bevan Croft Bar Stool (in customer's own choice of material/leather)
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our Croft Dining Chair, the Croft Bar Stool was created to give the design versatility, allowing the sophistication of its finishes and bespoke upholstery to move seamles...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak, Upholstery
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
Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Luggage Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive British Colonial style desk crafted in mahogany in a three piece construction with a tooled leather top featuring burnished brass hardware, leather strap pulls on the thre...
Category
20th Century Vietnamese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
British Colonial Style Set of Four Safari Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dashing set of four vintage British Colonial chairs crafted in mahogany stained maple with a pegged construction in a safari style havi...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Maple
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
Baker Milling Road British Colonial Style Mahogany & Wrought Iron Side Tables -2
By Milling Road
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of modern British Colonial style mahogany and wrought iron side tables by the Milling Road division of Baker Furniture. They have clean lines which would work in a var...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
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
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
Antique English Brass Planter Lion Heads Flowerpot Pub Scenes c.1930
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT Antique English Brass Planter Flower Pot Jardiniere with Lions Heads and Pub Scene~~c. 1930
Beautiful decorative brass planter~~excell...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style three-tiered cabinet desk with a gallery at the top over three step down compartments covered with grass cloth and framed with faux bamboo. The upper and lower...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Antique English Staffordshire Porcelain Figurine Girl Seated on Waterfall Bird
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century staffordshire porcelain figure showing a young woman seated on the rocks above a waterfall with two birds.
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
Campeche Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair and ottoman, made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs features large scrolled arms with caned seat and ottoman. The chairs have a des...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Palecek French Regency Style Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine Palecek French Regency style center or pedestal dining table of faux bamboo & braided rope styling accented with leather joinery in excellent vintage condition. Table dimensi...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Glass, Wood
2 Maitland Smith Shell Mosaic Stacked Ball Candlestick Buffet Table Lamps 36"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two Maitland Smith buffet / table lamps featuring round bronze bases and urn shaped finials with factory distressed patina / verdigris, w...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
Three Drawer Bamboo and Wicker Console
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Console is in very good condition. Can work in any decor.
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
19th Century Anglo Indian Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 19th Century Anglo Indian teak cupboard.
In two parts with two doors above two, with the original inlaid slides in the top. Intricately inlaid with bone and ebony.
Category
1880s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
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
Pair of Thai Rosewood Elephant Howdah Saddle Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of elephant saddle style chairs crafted with rosewood in a distinctive Thai form, hand carved depicting elephants, which are a symbol of fortune, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage British Colonial Plantation Ladder Back Rush Armchairs Pair
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful pair of British Colonial plantation armchairs with tall ladder back and natural woven Rush seating, Circa 1960's. Oak or Mohogany.
Except...
Category
1960s British Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rush, Oak
Italian Majolica Ceramic Bowl in the Shape of a Lion's Head 1960
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Italian handcrafted Majolica ceramic bowl, ashtray in the shape of a lion's head.
Decorate a shelf or a kitchen counter with this elegant Majolica bowl hand painted and is be...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Maitland Smith Bronze & Shell Mosaic Footed Ginger Jar Urn Table Lamp 30"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith table in the shape of a tall ginger jar / urn featuring a white shell mosaic in a scalloped feather or leaf vein pa...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
A View of Cape Rouge, Quebec, Canada, Mazell after Capt. Hervey Smyth, c.1760s
Located in Savannah, GA
A View of Cape Rouge, or Carouge, on the Saint Lawrence River, north of Quebec.
Engraving by Peter Mazell after a drawing by Captian Hervey Smyth, published c.1760's, London.
T...
Category
1760s Canadian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of British Colonial Two Light Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique English wall sconces crafted in metal with a worn silver plate finish over a classic form having a crown, graceful looping ...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century British colonial style table or stand crafted in turned wood in a faux bamboo technique with two tiers covered in grasscloth.
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in North Miami, FL
This piece just took our breath away - all the carved wood details and medallions are master craftsman quality. See all detail images to truly appreciate what an excellent antique pi...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century British Folding Bamboo Side Butlers Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic wood bamboo side table or butler’s table. We see this collapsable bamboo table used as a bar to hold wine or liquor bottles in a dining or living room. Also could be used as ...
Category
Early 20th Century French British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Zabihi Collection Navy Blue Antique Persian Sarouk Manchester Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning late 19th century Persian Sarouk Manchester Wool rug.
4'1'' x 6'6''
Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of Persian rugs worldwide. Most of them consist...
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Colonial Style Burnt Tortoise Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegant splay...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
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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