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
Baker Pair of Vintage British Colonial Caned Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large scale pair of mid century British colonial style stands with two caned tiers having turned supports with finials at the tops, classic legs and brass casters. Signed Baker on th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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
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
British Colonial Carved Claw Foot China Cabinet
Located in Countryside, IL
British Colonial Carved Claw Foot China Cabinet
This china cabinet measures: 62.5 wide x 19 deep x 66.75 inches high
We take our photos in a ...
Category
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
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
English Brown Leather Valise
Located in Queens, NY
English dark brown leather small valise with 2 strapes and initials HB
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
Vintage Campaign Anglo Indian Wicker Pith Helmet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting British Colonial Anglo Indian pith helmet or hat ambitiously handcrafted in woven reed or wicker in classic form with metal breather holes and plenty of tropical charm. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Reed
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
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
19th Century Anglo-Indian Amber Pumpkin Shape Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Anglo-Indian amber pumpkin shape bell jar lantern.
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
19th Century British Colonial Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century British Colonial shelf made from teak. There are tall hand turned finials on the top over three shelves, all with scalloped galleries...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
19th Century Anglo-Indian Silver-Inlaid Chess and Backgammon Box
Located in Madrid, ES
A remarkable example of Anglo-Indian craftsmanship from the British Raj era, this 19th-century folding game box serves as both a chess and backgammon board. Finely handcrafted from e...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Elegant Terracotta Antique Mohajeran Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning early 20th century Persian Sarouk Mohajeran Rug with a terracotta field, accents in robin egg blue, green, the border is navy.
circa 1910. Measures: 3'5" x 4'7"
Before...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Cast Iron Umbrella Stand with Dog or Retriever
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming antique English umbrella stand cast in iron with a top bracket supported by a stylized tree over a hunting dog with a water tray.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
Located in Dallas, TX
Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece.
Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods.
This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony.
The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining.
This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!!
We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction.
ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins.
Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:-
(1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Wood
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
Palacek floor lamps a pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of woven reed Palacek floor lamps .60 inches tall on a 12 x 12 wooden base.. on the back of each lamp, there are doors that give access to the lightbulbs and the shades… Very...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
Large 19C Rustic Indian Carved Wood Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Large and impressive, this plank table top is made with unusual curved wood pieces. Table is supported by six turned legs and iron braces with intricate carved decoration on the apro...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
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
British Colonial Style Pair of Bamboo and Grasscloth Stands or Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of mid century stands crafted in grasscloth and bamboo with four transforming foldout trays or surfaces, can be used with one,...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Moroccan Tray or Coffee Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Moroccan tray, coffee or cocktail table with a hand hammered removable brass tray, featuring floral and geometric designs crafted with open filigree and old world charm. The base has...
Category
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Painted Caned Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Lounge Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tub style lounge chairs in the British Colonial style, each having a white-painted, molded frame of faux bamboo surrounding thye caned back and sides, its bowed crestrail dow...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Historic Corner Commode from Around 1900, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the turn of the century. Very good condition, after professional renovation, chest of drawers finished in polytone.
...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Persian Pictorial Nain Rug
Located in New York, NY
Very finely woven Pictorial Persian Nain rug featuring a pictorial design on a crispy blue colored field.
Nain is a small village located in central Iran that has relatively recen...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
20th Century British Colonial Bookcase with Bottom Storage
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressively-scaled book cabinet was made from solid Teak wood and dates to the 1940's. During the late British empire in India and Burma much furniture was made in the Art Deco...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
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
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
Pair Safari Style Tapestry Pillows Elephant Camel
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cute pair of tapestry woven pillows Safari style with elephant and camel figures. Velvet back, zip closure. Great condition.
Category
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Textile
Bamboo and Cane British Colonial Style Dresser or Chest
Located in Bellport, NY
A tall bamboo and cane five-drawer dresser. All drawers pull out on metal rails for easy use.
Handcrafted in Spain. Two small top drawers and three large drawers, good storage.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
Zabihi Collection Navy Blue Persian Traditional Room Size Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare navy field high-quality antique Persian Sarouk room-size rug. The piece is in mint condition as the previous owner kept it in storage for a long period of time.
Measures: 8'4" ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
18th Century East Indies Mahogany Raj Bed with Paws
Located in Charleston, SC
An 18th century Raj East Indies bed with elaborate carving, carved tiger paw feet, and a finished tester. Often copying Western or British forms, Rajput courts extracted influence fr...
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
Old English Silver Plate over Nickel Ornate Rectangular Serving Tray Handles
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial style old English silver plate over nickel rectangular serving tray, platter with ornate border.
It is in original vintage condition and has some stains and is tarni...
Category
1940s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Nickel
Zabihi Collection Room SizeAntique Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
An authentic room size full pile antique Persian Sarouk rug.
Measures: 7'10'' x 11'9''.
Category
1920s Persian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Ceylon Style Specimen Round Tilt-Top Table , 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This British Colonial center table uses exotic wood veneers to create a spectacular spiral, fanning clockwise with contrasting exotic specimen woods ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Mahogany
Ebonized Console Sofa Table with Drawers and Brass Hardware, Turned Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Ebonized console sofa table with drawers and brass hardware.
Offered for sale is an ebonized wood console or sofa table that would make a wonderful server. This heavy substantia...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Vintage 1970's Lacquered Bamboo Cane Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A exceptional multipurpose cabinet, circa 1970s. Top has 4 large woven cane "caged" doors opening to 3 spacious shelfs for books, knick knacks etc. Bottom case has 4 large drawers do...
Category
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Mahogany
19th Century British Colonial Ceylonese Satinwood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
Early 19th century British Colonial cabinet of wide-paneled and figured solid satinwood with solid ebony trim. Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the few places in the wo...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
Group of Eight Elephant Head Wall Ornaments, Priced Per Set of Four
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage group of twelve intriguing hand decorated cast composition elephant head wall ornaments or brackets. From the Walker Theater, Indianapolis Indiana.
Priced per set of four (4).
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Composition
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
Beautiful Persian Floral Pattern Fine Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality Northwest Persian rug with a floral all-over design set on a tomato red field, accents in hot pink, gray and apricot, and a light blue border
Measures: 10'1” x 13'5”.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Bamboo and Rattan Chair and Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage British colonial style chair and ottoman crafted with a bamboo frame and having herringbone woven rattan on the seat, arms and ottoman, ce...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
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
Vintage Bamboo Chest with Greek Key Design
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage bamboo chest with Greek key design. This versatile mid-century bamboo chest, side table, end table or bedside table has style and storage ...
Category
1950s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Pair of Mid-Century Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Nests of Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of British colonial style nests of tables or stands each with faux bamboo frames wrapped with reed and grass cloth panels on the table tops.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Reed
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
Barbados Mahogany Leather Top Rent Table with Sand Box Feet on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
Barbados mahogany leather top four drawer rent table with a turned bulbous pedestal resting on a tripod base with original sand box feet and brass casters. Early 19th Century
Category
1810s Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
British Colonial Secretary Cabinet from Indonesia
Located in New York, NY
A tall Indonesian antique secretary with twin glass panel doors, mid-19th century. British Colonial style.
Polychromed teak wood in two tones of red, plus gilt accents. Three shel...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 British Colonial Style Bamboo Three Tiered Folding Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style mid century etagere crafted in bamboo with three woven rattan shelves featuring an ingenious folding option.
H: 32 W: 22 D: 11
Folded depth: 4
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
19th Century Jamaican Campeche / Planter Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant British Colonial 1810-1830 Campeche chair is made of solid mahogany and was known in Jamaica as a Spanish chair in the period. This West Indies Planter chair...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
English Brown Crocodile Valise
Located in Queens, NY
English dark brown crocodile valise with brass latches.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Armchairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Armchairs. Made of teak in the British East Indies
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
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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