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
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
Three Antique Hand Colored Engravings of Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three 18th century hand colored engravings of parrot specimens as depicted by Peter Brown, an artist and naturalist, working in London England. Originally published in 1776 in a foli...
Category
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
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
Pair of Faux Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Stands or Side Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British colonial style tables with round black grasscloth tops framed with burnt bamboo on three legged metal bases wrapped in reed and deco...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Paul Thubert 'English, 19th Century' a Large Bronze Sculpture of War Veterans
Located in New York, NY
Paul Thubert
(English, 19th Century)
A large patinated bronze sculpture statue of two war veterans with uniforms and badges. Each with amputation injuries. One with an amputate...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Ebonized Jackwood British Colonial Box on Stand from British Ceylon
Located in Charleston, SC
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 ebonized elements. The base co...
Category
19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Magazine Stand in Wood, Stampted Made in England, XX Century, Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Magazine stand is in wood. it has been Made in England during the 20 th century. We have a stamp with "Made in England" ingraved. The Color in Brown. On the top we have a compar...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of British Colonial Midcentury Plantation / Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of solid hard wood and caned British Colonial Plantation chairs, lounge chairs or armchairs. The chairs feature swing out extension arms. The construction is hand made w...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Hardwood
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
18th C. English Pine Curtis & Horspool London Act of Parliament Tavern Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
"18th century monumental museum quality Act of Parlament clock. Made from pine with a large round face over elongated case. Features an enameled metal face marked Curis Horspool in Leicester, London England. Curis was the royal watchmaker of the Prince of Wales.
As a result of an Act passed by the English Parliament in 1797 tavern clocks were hung in every pub and tavern throughout the British Isles. The Act declared that a tax would be collected on every clock in the realm.
As a result many private clock owners either hid their clocks or got rid of them altogether. Thus taverns and pubs became the preferred location for obtaining the correct time. The Tavern owners did not mind paying the tax because the towns people had to stop by if they wanted to find out what time it was. This resulted in more people eating and drinking at the Tavern.
An ""Act of Parliament clock...
Category
18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
The Stick has CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. Crest on the Round Head
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. swagger stick.
The stick has CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. crest on the round head
The metal top appears to be a white metal overprinted to look like brass
The sti...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane
British Colonial Style Leather Top Desk
By Kittinger
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Leather Top Desk. Five drawer desk crafted in mahogany with a classic form, three tooled brown leather panels on a top with a beaded edge, exotic burled cuts o...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Console Carved, England Mahogany, XIXth
Located in Nice, FR
Console carved in English mahogany, XIX th, carved base, with two drawers in front.
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
20 Th Century 3 Light Bouillotte Lamp Style Silvered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very popular design of Bouillotte lamp made of brass and finished in Hi-polished silver plate. Has 3 candelabra sockets. All new wiring and sockets. Ht of 22" and the base is 7 1/2...
Category
1990s North American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
Located in Pasadena, 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
Antique Luggage Crocodile Skin Leather Suitcase, Colonial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique suitcase made of crocodile leather handstitched with leather lacing and secured with tacks, an attractive antique reptile skin suitcase with a...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
Pair of Faux Burnt Bamboo Stands or Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of stands or tables with faux burnt bamboo frames, grasscloth panels, drawers that open both ways, and magazine storage space below.
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Antique Glass and Brass Pendant
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English pendant or bell jar light fixture with pressed floral designs on the brass hardware and a hand blown glass globe with cut cycles in fros...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Jamaica Regency Sideboard, 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean solid mahogany with satinwood inlay vernacular sideboard is made in Jamaica, circa 1820-1840. It is one of the Rare Jamaican Regency Si...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Mahogany
English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in East Hampton, NY
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
Pair of Victory V Gums Tins, England, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique set of 2 Tin Boxes for Victory V Gums, England.
This British Brand made Liquorice-flavoured lozenges,
each by hand so every sweet contained the correct amount of therapeutic ingredient.
This Counter Cannisters - Advertising Boxes...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Tin
Set of Four Hand Colored Humming Bird Prints
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are four framed hand colored humming bird species published in the early 20th century representing the original 19th century work of Scottish naturalist, Sir William Jardine. Pr...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Carved Stone Parrot on a Frosted Lucite Base
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Parrot sculpture hand carved from exotic semi-precious stones with brass feet and perched on a frosted Lucite base.
Category
20th Century Brazilian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Precious Stone
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
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial armchairs crafted with a sturdy metal frame ambitiously wrapped in reed with comfort and classic form set on turned wood feet. Exclusively designed and offered by F.S. Henemader Antiques from the FS Flores collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker
British Colonial Cane Stand or Sculptural Assemblage
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English antique cane or umbrella stand that crosses the line between art and function by assembling two Victorian black leather boots on a Chinese lacquer remnant with antique brass ...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
Original Deck Chair from European Colonies in Africa, Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
It is an original piece, in the first part of the 20th century from the European colonies of Africa. It is foldable to move with garter as it happened with many colonial furniture, f...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Victoria Chair with Tassel Foot, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in Pasadena, 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
Brass Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brass banana tree or palm tree sculpture with a custom burnished bronze like finish, removable leaves, a weighted base decorated with floral designs,...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tropical Watercolor on Paper of a Jamaican Scene
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Watercolor painting on paper of a tropical scene with houses, palm trees, and figures executed in a lush pallet. Signed by American artist Margaret Morrish in 1956 at Port Antonio Ja...
Category
Mid-20th Century Jamaican British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Colonial Sri Lankan Satinwood Garden Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Hand-turned garden chair made of solid satinwood, Colonial, Sri Lanka, circa 1900. Hand-caned seat and back.
Came from a British Military family in Sri Lanka.
40.25" overall height ...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Satinwood
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
Wood, Leather, Oak
Bamboo and Grasscloth Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Gentlemen's chest of eight drawers with a casual elegance and featuring a bamboo frame, grasscloth panels, stylized sunrise designs on the sides and splayed legs.
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Antique Caribbean Watercolor
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th century tropical West Indies watercolor on paper depicting a moment in
time on a quiet street complete with houses, palm trees, flowers and a
woman carrying a bundle on her he...
Category
Mid-19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint
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
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
Anglo-Indian Rosewood Inlaid Tray Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique Anglo-Indian table crafted in rosewood with a removable service tray on top masterfully inlaid with delicate floral designs in copper and brass. The base has architecturally ...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century campaign chest with seven drawers handcrafted in camphor wood and featuring a pullout desk with nooks, drawers and a leather writi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of Antique English Carved Wood Dolphin Stands or Pedestals
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of antique British Colonial stands with white marble tops, crafted in mahogany and expertly carved depicting the mythological dolphins as described by ancient sailors...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Armchair English Leather from, 19th Century Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
English club armchair, leather first half of the 20th century. Vintage.
Solid mahogany club chair, English. Classic upholstery which was upholstered with leather. Armrest partly a...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Pencil Reed Rattan Floor Vase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury floor vase crafted in pencil reed with a Classic form and warm lush finish.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
Navy Blue Antique Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning early 20th century Persian Sarouk rug.
Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of Persian rugs worldwide. Most of them consist of deep red fields with nav...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Colonial Rosewood Carved Hutch Linen Cabinet with Barley Twist Columns
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Uncompromisingly hand-crafted Colonial cabinet with barley twist columns and removable shelves Circa 1880-90. Constructed from solid Rosewood and sitting on bun feet framed by hand c...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Complete Set of Pink Cloth Napkins and Faux Bamboo Brass Place Setting Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Make hosting and entertaining easy, with a vintage British Colonial style place setting. Over a year in the making, we’ve sourced hundreds of table settings from all over the globe and paired our favorites in a set. (See our other listings for more beauties in an array of different colors, styles and place settings from 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16.)
This set features a faux bamboo brass charger from India. It does have a slight patina to it, which makes it look even more storied. We’ve had these custom cloth napkins created just for this set. We’ve brought over this fabulous pink block print fabric from India and created 4 16” x 16” cloth dinner napkins...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Stunning Silver Plated Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite pair of Stunning Silver Plated Table Lamps, a luxurious addition to any home décor. With their sleek silver finish and captivating curved bases, these lamps...
Category
1950s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal, Silver
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
Antique Needlepoint English Rug. Size: 7 ft 5 in x 9 ft 7 in
Located in New York, NY
Antique English Needlepoint, Country of Origin: England, Circa: 18th Century –Size: 7 ft 5 in x 9 ft 7 in (2.26 m x 2.92 m).
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Colonial Antique 1910 Sheffield England Oval Vanity Mirror Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Silver plate oval vanity mirror or table mirror with ornate pedestals circa 1910 Sheffield, England.
The back is made of solid wood.
Makers trade...
Category
1910s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
19th Century British Colonial Rosewood Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
19th century Goa rosewood display cabinet with sunburst design on doors. Two small drawers with three large below. Keys included.
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Midcentury British Colonial Style Bamboo Bar Cart
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury bar cart or tea cart with a bamboo frame wrapped with reed.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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
Large British Colonial 19th Century Ebony Sri Lankan Ceylonese Wall Bracket
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Sri Lankan ebony wall bracket by Don Andris Cabinet Makers, Colombo
Colombo, first half 19th century, stamped Don Andris, Cabinet Makers Colombo on shelf
The shelf suspended by three foliate motif carved rests and one plain rests to the wall.
Measures: H. 50.5 x W. 43 x D. 15.5 cm
Note:
According to J.W. Bennett in 1843 (in: Furniture from British India...
Category
Early 18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony
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
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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