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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
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

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

Mid-20th Century Refinished Brighton Pavilion Bamboo Side or Coffee Table With G
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A stunning Mid-20th Century bamboo table in the Brighton Pavilion style, fully refinished and ready to anchor your space with tropical elegance. Featuring a square silhouette, slight...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Glass

Pair of Ancient Zoomorphic Carving Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These beautifully carved temple fragments, were converted into table lamps in the style of Billy Haines.
Category

Late 20th Century Asian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

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 English Coal Hod or Scuttle
Located in Louisville, KY
This stunning piece of English 19th century history has come so far from being a well designed utilitarian piece within English homes to a gorgeous decorator piece that is not only b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

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

Vintage Coastal British Colonial Safari Bamboo Headboard with Rattan Medallion
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage coastal British colonial safari style bamboo headboard with woven rattan medallion.
Category

1940s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Burmese Buddhist Decorative Backboard Mandorla Panel
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Burmese Buddhist Decorative Backboard Mandorla Panel. A style of surround for a seated Buddha image reminiscent of a Burmese transom in shape. The peaked triangular panel in...
Category

1920s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Victorian Period Oak & Brass Bound travelling Trunk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A 19th-century, large Victorian period oak & brass-bound travelling chest or trunk. Made from oak with brass mounts and brass carrying handles. It features a warm, rich colour and pa...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Mersman Mahogany Lyre Base 3 Tier Dumbwaiter Table
Located in Germantown, MD
This early 1900s table would be wonderful in a entryway filled with flowers, or used to serve food at an event. It is in great condition - very solid and well built. However it does ...
Category

Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Victorian Military Campaign Folding Faux Bamboo Embroidered Safari Cane Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A delicate slice of Victorian Military Campaign. A folding Chair of Faux Bamboo, with an Embroidered Canvas Seat Rear Finished With Brown Leather Sl...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Oil on Canvas The Smoke 0f Battle signed J.C.Ambrose
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oil on Canvas The Smoke 0f Battle signed J.C.Ambrose This is a Large Oil Painting on canvas, it is framed and has a brass plaque with the title of the painting Painted in the 20th C...
Category

1960s Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Mid-20th Century Restored Rattan Settee With Built-in Side Table and New Custom
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A rare and sculptural Mid-20th Century rattan settee featuring a Chippendale back design, gracefully arched supports, and integrated side table with original smoked glass top. The fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Rattan, Smoked Glass

Corner chest of drawers from around 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Very good condition, after professional renovation, the chest of drawers finished in polish. Year: around 1...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Leather Stuffed Elephant
Located in Huntington, NY
Faux ivory tusks.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Straw

Leather Stuffed Elephant
Leather Stuffed Elephant
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
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 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

20th Century Nichols & Stone National Cathedral Ebonized and Gilt Windsor Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th Century Nichols & Stone National Cathedral School Ebonized and Gilt Windsor Chair in excellent vintage condition. Measures 16.5" in width, 18" in depth, 33" in height wit...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

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

American Country Style 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

1800s Georgian Solid Mahogany Accent Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique solid mahogany occasional table with waved legs and unique top shape. We noticed that a leg has been repaired at some point, but apparently not noticeable to our opinion.   
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Leather Clad Desk by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive Mid Century desk crafted with a faux bamboo frame having a faux tortoise finish featuring tooled leather panels on the top, front, side and back, lower tier storage and be...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Faux Bamboo

Vintage coastal woven rattan chest of drawers - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage coastal woven rattan chest of drawers Dresser - Vintage - decoration Measures : 122x46cm H:77cm Materials : Wicker - Brass - Rattan Weight : 40kg Bring a touch of tropical e...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Framed Traditional English Quorn Fox Hunt Print by Frederick Christian Lewis
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A framed FC Lewis Fox Hunting print. This piece was originally printed in 1835. It features a group of English men in red coats at the infamous Quorn Fox Hunt in England. The scene t...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper, Glass

1900s Old English Liquor Flask & Cup
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old English silver liquor flask & cup figural relief hunting castle 5.5 tall x 3.75 w x 1.5 d Cup 2.38 tall x 1.5 diameter cap serves as a cup Preowned vintage condition. Numbered a...
Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Rose Chintz Egg Shaped Ceramic Trinket Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Vintage rose chintz egg shaped ceramic trinket box with hinged lid. This 20th century vintage ceramic egg (Trinket Box) stands on shaped legs, i...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

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

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

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

20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 20.5" W x 24.5" D x 15" Seat height.
Category

19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Tall English Barley Twist Brass Candlestick Wired as Electric Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Impressive brass barley twist candlestick, converted to an electric table lamp. The candlestick was made in England, it was later drilled for the wire, and mounted on a wood plint...
Category

Early 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Maitland Smith Tessilated Marble & Brass Turtle Thinker Obelisk Sculpture 20”
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith stone tesslated marble stone obelisk sculpture standing on the backs of four brass turtles, which in turn sit atop a square pedestal. At the tip of the obelisk sits another brass turtle, anthropomorphized in the position of The Thinker. Marked 198 on base. Hand Made in the...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Impressionist Oil Painting of a Harbor Scene
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In the tradition of 1930s impressionist, here is a painting by H. A. Burnham of a harbor scene, displaying confident brushstrokes and a striking tropical palette. This oil painting c...
Category

20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paint

1910s Vintage 2 Tiered Brass Trefoil Lazy Susan Dumbwaiter
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Antique 2 tiered trefoil silent butler/ lazy susan/ dumbwaiter. Full of character and patina. This guy is more than 37" tall and weighs close to 30 pounds. Lazy susan functionality o...
Category

1910s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antico orologio oro argento
Located in Cantù, IT
Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orologio oro argento Antico orolo...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Caned Tiered Stands or Etageres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of mid century British Colonial stands or etageres crafted in fruit wood with framed tops over three caned tiers with turned supports.
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Fruitwood

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

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

Louver Panel Window Shutter
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece is a part of Brendan Bass’s one-of-a-kind collection, Le Monde. French for “The World”, the Le Monde collection is made up of rare and hard to find pieces curated by Brend...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

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

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

19th C. Anglo Indian Regency Carved Mahogany & Padouk Sideboard / Credenza
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal Anglo Indian Regency Carved Mahogany & Padouk Sideboard / Credenza was handmade in the Nineteenth Century. The British Colonial Sideboard is hand carved solid mahogany an...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Padouk

3 framed & signed pencil drawings of Indian gentlemen in regional dress, 19th C
Located in London, GB
Three highly charismatic and personal portrait drawings if Indian gentlemen. Dating from the late 19th century and in original glass and oak frames they portray a Pathan hillman and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak, Paper

Vintage Bamboo Framed Mirror
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Hand-woven by skilled artisans, mirror has a unique character & texture, Octagonal geometric form is outlined by weaving thin strips of rattan together contrasted by thicker pieces o...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Maitland Smith Tessellated Faux Tortoise Chrome Candlestick Buffet Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith 1996 modern candlestick table lamp featuring four chrome legs bound with brass wire, supporting an ovoid / egg shape of tessellated horn, topped with brass can...
Category

1990s British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

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

Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped. Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan. Southern Heirlooms Eliza...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 20th century porcelain jungle-themed lidded jars by New York designer, John Derian. Elegant vases feature multiple jungle animals including elephants, tigers, monkeys and zeb...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Zabihi Collection Oversize Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
an earl y 20th century Persian Sarouk Oversize Rug Details rug no. 9313 size 10' 3" x 17' 5" (312 x 531 cm) Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of Persian rugs ...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

Maitland-Smith Vintage Faux Bamboo Stand with Magazine Rack
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style mid century one drawer stand handcrafted with a faux burnt bamboo wood frame featuring brass caps, jungle camouflage panels on the top and sides and lower maga...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Early 20th Century Leather Elephant Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Hand made leather elephant sculpture. Original condition. Likely an Anglo-Indian era import. Faux ivory tusks. Would make a great adornment to a bookshelf or desk. Would fit well i...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

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

Vintage Bamboo and Laminate Fully Adjustable Coffee/Dining Table
Located in East Freetown, MA
Unique bamboo coffee/dining table with laminated three leaf folding top and smooth and easy adjustable height mechanism. (18-30) inches.
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Laminate

Antique British Colonial Teak and Rattan Hall Elbow Chair, C. 1900
Located in London, GB
Antique British Colonial Teak and Rattan Hall Elbow Chair, C. 1900 Good solid construction with historic repairs (please refer to photos). Please message for a specific destination...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Teak

English Brown Crocodile Valise
Located in Queens, NY
English large brown crocodile valise with metal latches and an attache case interior.
Category

20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philan...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver

White Horse Animal Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of an animal portrait titled "White Horse" set in a classical landscape Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

Late 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paint

Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Bibikabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular accent-size antique Bibikabad Persian Rug from the 1st quarter of the 20th Century Measures: 4'2'' x 6'9''.
Category

20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

British Colonial Carved Teak Column with Granite Base
Located in Somis, CA
This extraordinary 88" tall column has its original granite base, is made out of solid teak wood featuring an elaborately carved crown. The crown is carved on all four sides with eac...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Granite

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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