British Colonial Furniture
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture
Linen, Bamboo, Cane
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Upholstery, Cherry
1880s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Reed
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Paint
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Wicker
Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Wood
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood, Teak
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century German Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Hardwood
Early 19th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Paper
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Oak
1890s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Brass
1830s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Rosewood
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Textile
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Silver, Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century European British Colonial Furniture
Teak
15th Century and Earlier Brazilian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Pewter
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Padouk
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass
1810s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass
1810s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
2010s American British Colonial Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
1990s British Colonial Furniture
Canvas
1810s Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Iron
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo
1940s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Paper
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood, Teak
1890s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Stained Glass, Walnut
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Glass
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
Mid-19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Leather