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
Returnable Items Only
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
Leather Stuffed Elephant
Located in New York, NY
Faux ivory tusks.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Straw
Large Scale 20th Century Persian Lacquerware Table Lamp
Located in Morristown, NJ
c. 1950s, large scale gourd-form coir lamp hand decorated with gazelles, lions, and hunters on horseback on green ground, brass fittings. The painting is accentuated with gold painte...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Finely Carved British Colonial 19th Century Round Tiltable Table
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful finely carved British Colonial wooden circular side table from India or Ceylon. The circular top with a broad shallow relief detailed border depicting a lion and serpent ...
Category
1890s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Collection of 42 Swedish Early 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 47 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books from the from the 1930s-1940s.
The books are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of a selection of w...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
Colonial Style Shell Queen Bed in Ebonized Finish
Located in Pasadena, 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
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 3 pieces have the same maker's marks on the bottoms complete with the engraved W A Trademark, Warranted Hard Solder England 69430.
Open sugar dish...
Category
1910s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver, Steel
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
Carolina Bamboo & Cane Bench
Located in Bellport, NY
The Carolina Bench beautifully hand crafted in Spain of bamboo and cane. The seat is covered in a sunbrella natural tone fabric. The bottom level is gre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Linen, Bamboo, Cane
Monkeys Prints, 12 Engravings from "Le Règne Animal" Georges Cuvier, France 1816
Located in Firenze, IT
Set of 3 glassed framed panels of 12 engraving depicting monkeys and lemur studies from "Le Règne Animal" by Georges Cuvier.
France, 1816
Le Règne Animal (The Animal Kingdom) i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Antique Asian Ornate Craved Wood Damchiya Dowry Box
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Antique Indian Damchiya with extensively carved wood. The traditional box was used as a dowry for Indian brides and gifted at weddings. It has panelled...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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
Rare 18th Century English Clock
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare 18th century English clock
Marquetry
Weight: 9.20 kg
England
Sizes: H 62cm L 31cm
very good condition.
Category
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 18th Century Childs Pewter Porringer Cup Bowl Porridge Dish
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique circa 18th century childs pewter porringer / tastevin featuring straight sides with rim flange, flat base, triangular bracket with wedge under...
Category
18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell
Located in Chillerton, 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
1960s English Traditional Bronze & Copper Baby Shoes Bookends Nursery Décor Pair
Located in Miami, FL
A Pair of British colonial baby shoes bookends in cast bronze and handcrafted solid copper Shoes made in England in the 1960s.
Note the attention to details at the shoes and each is...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Copper
57 Pc Royal Doulton Regal Crest H5221 English Bone China Dinnerware Set, 1993
Located in Dayton, OH
57 piece Royal Doulton fine bone china dinnerware set in pattern H5221 – Regal Crest.
Measures: 8 teacups - 3.5” x 3” / oval platter - 13...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Blue Wildebeest Antelope Carpet / Rug from Kenya, British Colonial Era
Located in New York, NY
A noble and elegant African blue wildebeest rug or carpet from the British Colonial era in Kenya. Blue Wildebeest are known beautiful and subtle color r...
Category
Mid-20th Century Kenyan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin, Felt
Large Hand Carved British Royal Coat of Arms Brewers Wall Plaque
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large hand carved british royal coat of arms brewers wall plaque.
This is a very fine piece, it dates from the 1950s and is hand carved...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
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
E. Löffler, "The Oronte's Ideal Company", Framed Original Manifesto, circa 1900
Located in Firenze, IT
E. Löffler, "The Oronte's Ideal Company", Original manifesto, framed, circa 1900
Lithograph, without printer's name.
Measures: Cm 70x49.
It was a brilliant company of equili...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
El Nido English Ships Wrought Iron Wall Bracket Lantern
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This wrought iron lantern was inspired by a Spanish Colonial house in Santa Barbara. It is also in the style of ships lanterns on the 19th century. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Folding and Adjustable Teak and Mesh Seat Patio or Side Chair
Located in Nantucket, MA
A folding and adjustable teak patio or side chair with an open mesh seat. Easy to add a seat cushion if so desired, originally designed for tropical climates...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Mid-20th Century Brass Horn Bouillotte Lamp with Black Tole Shade
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous brass horn bouillotte lamp with black tole shade
USA, Mid-20th century
Measures: 16" W x 10.75" D x 26" H
Very good original v...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique Dudson English Staffordshire Pearlware Bocage Shepherd Figure 5"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique early English Staffordshire porcelain pearlware bocage group, showing male and female shepherds with a red and white lamb, standing in front of a flowering tree. Attributed ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1830s Antique Indian Colonial Silver Jug
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Indian colonial silver jug made by Hamilton & Co; part of our dining silverware collection.
This magnificent antique Indian silver jug...
Category
1830s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
Faux Bamboo and leather folding officer safari chair.
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Mid century Faux Bamboo and leather British colonial officers folding chair.
Expertly crafted Faux Bamboo, brass hardware and stitched leather ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass Door Handle
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of very decorative brass door or cabinet handles with carved details. Ready to mount.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage African Tapestry Wall Hanging with British Colonial Safari Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77336, vintage African rug tapestry. Reminiscences of an exotic journey and worldy sophistication, this vintage African tapestry wall hanging ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Kenyan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Late 18th C British Colonial Rosewood Trunk, Presented on a Forged-Iron Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A British Colonial rosewood trunk from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This antique English trunk, which would also function beautifully as a sma...
Category
Early 18th Century European Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet - Pair
This british colonial tall and thin display cabinet has 5 shelves and 2 glass doors. Made of teakwood from Thaila...
Category
Early 1900s Thai Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Teak
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
19th Century British Colonial Brass Bound Teak Campaign Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
Great quality late 19th century British colonial brass bound teak campaign chest in 2 parts.
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Tan Leather English Briefcase With Name Tag From London Stock Exchange
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Very Rare British briefcase with initials DSW. Possibly belonging to Douglas S. Warren (on name tag) who was a Canadian Air Force pilot in WW2 and Commanding Officer in the RAF later when he spent time in England in the early 50's. In original condition. The name tag shows the full name, address as the London Stock Exchange whereas the maker's mark is also visible within. The tan leather still shows well albeit there are some marks and signs of age and patina. High quality brass lever...
Category
1920s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
Vintage Ficks and Reed Rattan Chaise Lounge
By Ficks Reed
Located in Bellport, NY
A newly upholstered Ficks and Reed chaise longue, indoor outdoor fabric, new fill in cushions, zippers installed. Lovely condition, easily placed in mos...
Category
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan, Paint
Antique 18th Century English Pewter Porringer Cup Bowl Porridge Dish
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique circa 18th century unmarked pewter porringer or tastevin with bellied sides, bossed base, triangular ear bracket with wedge, and peacocks tai...
Category
18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pewter
19th Century Model Field Gun on Carriage, Cast Iron Porch Cannon
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century Model Field gun on carriage, cast iron porch cannon
A good and well made piece, the field gun is made in good detail, this piece has spent m...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
British Colonial Planter
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Vintage British Colonial style burnt bamboo planter. Made well and kept in great condition. Bamboo panels have been hand burnt to display a beautiful tortoiseshell pattern.
Would...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
2 Antique 18th Century Pewter Pedestal Master Salt Cellar Trencher Bowls Cups
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of rare antique 18th century pewter salt cellars / bowls / pedestal dishes or footed cups with unique scalloped and swirled form. Measure: 3".
Category
18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Antique 1755 Copperplate Engraving Westminster Bridge Lambeth Survey of London
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand colored riverscape / landscape copperplate engraving based on a painting by Jacob Maurer and engraved by Paul Fourdrinier - A View of Westminster Bridge from Lambeth, published according to Act of Parliament 1754 for Stowe’s Survey of London. BIO: Paul Fourdrinier sometimes referred to as Peter or Pierre Fourdrinier, was an 18th Century engraver in England. Paul Fourdrinier, engraver and printseller, was born on 20 December 1698 in Groningen in the Netherlands, the son of Jacques Fourdrinier and his wife, Jeanne Theroude, Huguenot refugees from Dieppe, Normandy. He was a pupil of Bernard Picart at Amsterdam for six years, and came to England in 1720. He was employed in engraving portraits and book illustrations. He also engraved two works by Peter Monamy, marine paintings displayed in Vauxhall Gardens. The engravings were published in 1743, but may have been executed earlier. Starting in 1742 Fourdrinier produced a series of books consisting of numerous folding charts showing "The Succession of Colonels to all his Majesties Land Forces from their Rise to 1742", as well as many other details of British military and naval personnel. The 2004 edition of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography makes it clear that in the 19th century edition of the Dictionary of National Biography this engraver's works and career were assigned to two individuals, Peter (or Pierre) and Paul Fourdrinier. Peter/Pierre is now seen to be a fictitious individual resulting from an accidental misnaming of Paul. Paul Fourdrinier is mentioned as the engraver of some of the works listed above, and he has been identified with the Paul Fourdrinier who was of the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, married to Susanna Grolleau, and who died in January or February 1758. The couple had at least five children, including a son Henry Fourdrinier, whose daughter, or granddaughter, Jemima Fourdrinier was the mother of Cardinal John Henry Newman...
Category
Mid-18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Gorham Weighted Sterling Silver Footed Compote Candy Nut Dishes
By Gorham
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of weighted Gorham Sterling silver compotes, candy dishes.
Very good condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet
The cabinet has 2 Doors and 3 Shelves. This cabinet was made in Thailand.
Circa 1988
D...
Category
1980s Thai Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Teak
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
Buckingham Crest Etching on Canvas by Liz Jardine Heraldic Shield Framed
Located in Dayton, OH
Buckingham Crest Etching on canvas by Liz Jardine, circa 1992. A large format art with an amazing frame. Features a heraldic crest or shield at the center ...
Category
1990s British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas
2 Antique Dudson English Staffordshire Pearlware Bocage Shepherd Figures
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique early Staffordshire pearlware bocage figures, a shepherd and a shepherdess each standing in front of a tree with three red and white sheep / lambs. Each piece uses sh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage teakwood low bookcase / display cabinet with sliding glass doors
This vintage teak bookcase or display cabinet was handmade...
Category
1990s American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Teak
WWw11, Tiny Leather Attaché Case First Aid Medical Equipment
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
WW11, tiny leather attaché case first aid medical equipment
This is a superb piece and is in excellent condition almost unused, the case is mad...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
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
Antique English Country Mahogany Ladderback Roundabout Corner Arm Chair Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English Country roundabout corner armchair. Made of mahogany featuring rounded form with ladderback supports over turned posts and supports, vinyl seat and nailhead accents.
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, 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
Handsome Military Snare Drum from Sevenoaks Air Training Corps
Located in Chillerton, 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
British Soldier's Woolwork or Woolie, 19h Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptional example of a 19th century British soldier's "Woolie" or woolwork that is signed "G.W. Whitby/India. The woolwork depicts the ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool, Glass, Wood
Bronze Safari-Themed End Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This side table features a heavy rounded glass top that sits upon an elaborately sculpted base. The base uses a palm tree to hold up the table's top, and two small elephant figures a...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
This bookcase has 3 shelves. There is no glass top for the bookcase. For an additional fee we are able to produ...
Category
Early 1900s Thai Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Teak
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
Lloyd Loom Lounge Chair in White Grey
Located in Voorburg, NL
Fantastic Lloyd Loom lounge chair in greyish white original Lloyd loom weave. The chair has a stable base made of brushed nickel steel base. The Lloyd loom weave is very strong and c...
Category
Early 2000s British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Steel
Royal Air Force P10 Aircraft Compass No. 10489 T
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Royal Air Force P10 aircraft compass No. 10489 T
The compass has a brass body finished in black, it comes in its battleship grey painted wooden ...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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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