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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
American Country Style Brass and Iron Ladle
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) brass ladle with wrought iron handle
Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Victoria Chair with Tassel Foot, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in San Marino, CA
Our Victoria chair with tassel foot detailing in our ebonized finish with a light distress, inspired by an original Swedish 1930s Art Deco pair we f...
Category

2010s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Rare! Early Maitland Smith Custom English Brass Table Lamp Spears Motif
Located in Peoria, AZ
Gorgeous! Maitland Smith Custom Brass Speat Tripod Table Lamp Amazing British Colonial Style! This one of a kind Maitland Smith lamp is an iconic example of British Colonial Style...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Steel, Brass

Massive Pair of Early 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Massive pair of early 19th century English candlesticks.
Category

1810s English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Midcentury Mother of Pearl Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury table lamps with a rectangular form featuring alluring mother of pearl mosaic bodies presented on Lucite bases.
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

American Country Copper Cauldron
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) copper cauldron with iron handle.
Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

Carved Coral Bowl or Planter
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a large piece of bowl coral with its bleached white color and sea inspired texture, carved and repurposed as a bowl or planter. Available only in the United States of Americ...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Coral

Antique Étagère or Server with Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
William IV English étagère or server, hand crafted in well grained mahogany having two shelves with turned and carved supports with a lower cabinet featuring a zinc lined wine cellar...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

English Mahogany Carved Animal Game Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (19/20th Century) mahogany carved animal game wall plaque with round top.
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Sea Fan Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of sea fan sculptures crafted or dipped in silvered metal with amazing accuracy and presented on classic form lacquered stands. Signed Eduardo Garza...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Three Antique Hand Colored Seashell Engravings
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Historic set of three 18th century engravings hand painted in watercolor depicting seashell specimens in an early naturalist style. Presented u...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Old Brass British Military Issue Brass Handbell A Great Piece, Second World War
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Old Brass British Military Issue Brass Handbell A Great Piece, Second World War, dated 1942, marked A.S.1942, and with the broad arrow insignia denotin...
Category

1940s Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th C. Federal Cherry Candle Stand Tea Table Tripod Pedestal Scallop Carved Top
Located in Philadelphia, PA
18th Century Cherry Candle Stand Tea Table Tripod Pedestal Scallop Carved Top. Item features remarkable aged patina and desirable finish, tripod base, Queen Anne legs, and carved sca...
Category

18th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in the garden, on a porch or patio. The rustic antique teakwood bench...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Luxurious 2.5-seater sheep leather sofa with fabric cushions in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheep leather 2.5-seater sofa exudes luxury and offers amazing seating comfort. The sofa comes with original loose seat and decorative cushions. The detachable armrest...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Textile

Pair of Faux Tortoise Bamboo Stands with Magazine Racks
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style end tables or stands with a faux tortoise finish over a turned wood faux bamboo frame. Featuring tooled brown leather panels, distinctive brass hardware, magaz...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Inlaid Center Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual center table crafted in mahogany and walnut veneer with an octagon form top having a sunburst grain design with a floral border inlaid with Macassar ebony, satinwood, sycamor...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Burlap, Ebony, Sycamore, Walnut

British Colonial Style Teak Linen Chest Trunk Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
A large Bristish Colonial style teak linen chest, circa 1950s. Solid brass lift handles and hardware. This trunk served as a coffee table for multiple generations of a family who use...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Thai British Colonial Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase Store books and display your treasured items with this functional and charmingly crafted teak bookcase. This pi...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

English Country Horse and Carriages Photograph
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style walnut framed photograph of 19th Century genre scene of 2 horse and carriages (Companion Pieces: 052554B-E)
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American Country Iron and Glass Ship's Lantern
Located in Queens, NY
American Country style (19th Century) iron and glass half round ships embarkment lantern with scroll handle.
Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass

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 Brown Leather Valise
Located in Queens, NY
English large brown leather valise
Category

20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Early 20th Century Burmese Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
A four-drawer chest in teak wood from old Burma, now Myanmar. Early 20th Century, circa 1925. Dark finish. Two small drawers, two large. Original brass handles.
Category

1920s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Side or Office Chairs with Upholstered Seat
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern solid rosewood side or office chairs with a slightly curved back for lumbar support. Slightly tapered leg. The seat can be easily removed if you wanted to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Maitland-Smith Pen Shell and Patinated Bronze Snail Table Lamp, c. 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
A sculptural and rare statement lamp by Maitland-Smith, crafted in the 1980s and exemplary of the firm’s signature blend of luxury materials and organic form. This dramatic design ...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Pair of Figura Lizardl Ostrich Egg Candlesticks by Redmile
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical yet refined pair of candlesticks with silvered metal acrobatic lizards holding ostrich eggs with candle holders on a classic base stamped Redmile London.
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ostrich Eggshell

Mid-Century Modern Double Dome Chandelier or Pendant Light
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic double dome chandelier or pendant light fixture that is both elegant and industrial. The dome glass is ribbed for a lustrous glow; the glass on the bottom has the peaceful pattern of water...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass

Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Credenza / Sideboard
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This Mid-Century credenza embodies natural materials and practical design with a coastal and British Colonial influence. The top, front, and sides feature basketweave cane veneer in ...
Category

1970s Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

English Antique Axminister Rug, 1870 Handmade Carpet Runner Wool Hallway Runner
Located in Wembley, GB
This high-quality rare English Axminister rug Features asymmetrical repeat pattern, woven in beige pink and cream. Revealing meandering scrolls and floral motifs. This beautiful Ant...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Organic Material

19th C Jamaican Minature Spice Cabinet, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean miniature demipress/spice cabinet was made in Jamaica in the 1830's and is attributed to Ralph Turnbull. This British Colonial piece is c...
Category

19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Coconut, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood

19th Century English Cupboard
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century English Cupboard boasts a stately yet rustic presence, ideal for the casual decor. The shallow design coupled with the mitered front corners makes it exceptionally traffic-friendly for efficient floor plans. Designed to hold just-washed pots...
Category

1880s English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Mid-Century Pair of Italian Metal Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of vintage Italian table lamps crafted in iron or metal in a modern stylized design with an aged metal finish.
Category

20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Late Nineteenth Early Twentieth Century painting on board by C. Wilson
Located in Winnetka, IL
A late Nineteenth early Twentieth century English Colonial painting on board by C. Wilson presented in a gilt wood frame. Depicting a group of men with top hats riding on a horse-dra...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

British Colonial Wood Column on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom Stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, ...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press
Located in Southampton, NY
Early 19th century English Colonial satinwood and ebony linen press. Cabinet is composed of solid Satinwood with solid ebony trim and inlay. Handmade in Sri Lanka, where both satinw...
Category

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Satinwood

Great Pair of Vintage Mahogany Planters Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of vintage mahogany planters chairs with canvas.
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Mahogany

19th Century Colonial Mahogany Plantation Lounge Cane Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th-century traditional Anglo-Indian Colonial plantation chair, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid mahogany wood with a carved crown...
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Bamboo Lounge Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage lounge chair crafted with bent bamboo and woven rattan in an elegant modern form featuring pullout footrest and adjustable back. Extended depth 60".
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Rare Folky Watercolor Drawings on Paper by L.J. Harboe, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are four rare and historically important watercolor drawings on paper of St. Croix. Painted in a topographical style by L.J.Harboe, effectively transporting us to a time and pla...
Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paint

Antique Tall British Colonial Console Table with Mirrored Skirt
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique English console table finished all around featuring a flame grained and crossbanded top over a distressed mirror and f...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Silver Plated Mechanical Gun or Cannon Bottle Trolley Decanting Machine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well made mechanical gun carriage bottle trolley and pourer is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England in approximately 1890 in a British Colonial style. The carr...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

British Colonial Style Demi-Lune Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style desk crafted in mahogany in a demilune form with a tooled tan leather top, four drawers and featuring bold turned an...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

2 Antique English Colonial Birdseye Maple Colored Etching Prints 9"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two antique colored etchings / prints featuring birds eye maple frame and reverse painted glass borders. One scene features four children playing war with a blue coated general lead...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paper

18th Century Pair of Orange Tall Indian Teak Wood Pillars
Located in San Marino, CA
These pair of orange painted tall Indian teak wood pillars are topped with classical acanthus leaf capitals and come in three parts.
Category

18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Pair of Faux Alligator Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tall vases ingeniously crafted in cast composition depicting alligator hide with brass like highlights.
Category

20th Century North American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather

Pair of Eclectic 20th Century British Colonial Terracotta Elephants in Pale Pink
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta elephants from the early 20th century, India, with nicely rendered details. These eclectic statues have a very subtle, nicely aged, layer of pal...
Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Reverse Drawing of Moorish Architecture by Cathy Wiggs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bold image of Moorish architecture executed with a unique technique, a reverse drawing on a sheet of Mylar or plastic. The effect is quite alluring and very much in the manor of the ...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Facing Pair of Early to Mid-20th Century Regal, Majolica Lion Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of very regal seated Majolica lions, a white glaze over a terracotta base, great condition, with some of the terracotta showing through the glaze,...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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.
Category

Late 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

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

British Colonial Decorative Carved Wood Column on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, whic...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880 Superbe ensemble de mobilier de salon en bois patiné, finement sculpté de masques grotesques, comprenant : Un canapé Une paire de fau...
Category

1880s Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Extra Large Early 19th Century English Mirror
Located in Faversham, GB
An exceptional early 19th century mirror from the historic Chatham Dockyards in Kent, England. The heavily foxed mercury plate is twelve millimeters in thickness and supported by th...
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass, Mirror, Oak, Pine

Antique English Axminster Rug. 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Antique English Axminster Rug, Country of Origin: England, Circa date: 1900. Size: 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in (4.52 m x 6.17 m)
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

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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