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.
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Wool, Silk
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Glass
Late 20th Century Asian British Colonial Furniture
Iron
1990s North American British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood, Teak
1940s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo
1920s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Brass
1960s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan, Smoked Glass
Early 1900s German Antique British Colonial Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Straw
Early 20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood, Teak
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Late 18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Teak
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Leather, Faux Bamboo
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Brass
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Wood, Paper, Glass
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Bronze
1990s British Colonial Furniture
Canvas
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Leather
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Furniture
Paint
1910s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Cane, Fruitwood
Early 18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Ebony
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Reed
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Wood
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Leather
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Wood
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Mahogany, Padouk
Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Oak, Paper
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1990s British Colonial Furniture
Brass, Chrome
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Furniture
Teak
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Bronze, Copper
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Bamboo, Laminate
Early 1900s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Rattan, Teak
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Paint
20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Wool
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Granite