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
Antique English Walnut Storage Cabinet or Entryway Bookcase Shelf Stained Glass
Located in Seattle, WA
Antique English Walnut Storage Cabinet or Entryway Bookcase Shelf Stand with Original Stained Glass. Circa 1890s. UK Import.
Dimensions. 24” W...
Category
1890s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Stained Glass, Walnut
Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover timeless elegance with this Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table. Featuring two faux candle stick lamp heads and a colonial wooden base, this piece serves both as a flo...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Jamaican Regency Mahogany Tilt-Top Breakfast Table
Located in Charleston, SC
This West Indies tilt-top breakfast table was created in Jamaica in the early 19th century, circa 1800. The table is made of solid mahogany from the Caribbean and is mounted on a sta...
Category
Early 19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century British Colonial Rosewood Display Cabinet
Located in San Marino, 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
A stack of six antique wood trays with bone inlays
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic set of six antique trays that fit into a stack, likely from British India turn of the 20th century. The wood is likely rosewood with attractive grains and the trays are i...
Category
1890s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Bone
Large Spread Eagle Wall Plaque, Heraldic Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large spread eagle wall plaque, Heraldic trade sign
This is a very large piece, it is made in polished silver metal, the plaque would have been di...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
19th Century Indian Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A charming teak tabletop vanity mirror with scrolled side supports, original arched top mirror frame and a drawer at the bottom. The mirror surface reveals the passage of time with a...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
American Country 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
19th Century English Open Library Caddy, Bookshelf
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English Open Library Caddy ~ Bookshelf is a charming piece that can serve in a variety of roles throughout the home! Originally designed to b...
Category
1890s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Sycamore
Colonial 18th Century Vizagapatam Pen-Engraved Writing Desk with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Vizagapatam pen-engraved veneered sandalwood portable writing desk with silver mounts
India, Coromandel coast, Visakhapatnam, circa 1875
...
Category
18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Sandalwood, Bone
Pair of British Colonial Terracotta Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta lions. This majestic pair of painted terracotta lions from the early 20th century will bring an air of regalness to any room.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...
Category
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
A Rare Chamberlains Worcester 1798 "Disce Pati" Admiral Duncan Armorial Plate
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An extremely rare late 18 Century Admiral Duncan Chamberlains Worcester porcelain plate, the centre with an armorial crest of a ship in full sail beneath the banner ‘Disce Pati" within a wide spiral border of salmon pink stripes and gilt foliage sprays. There is some age related rubbing of the gilding but the plate is otherwise in great condition with no visible cracks chips or repairs.
"Disce Pati" in Latin meaning "Learn to Suffer...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
English Rustic Antique Side Table
Located in Dallas, TX
English rustic antique side table was hand-crafted using fine oak with burl elm veneer on the drawer faces and a rich, natural color that has...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Vintage English Walnut Buffet Cabinet with Casters
Located in Seattle, WA
English buffet with marble top and 2 doors. The handles and escutcheons are bronze. It rests on four tapered legs that ends in casters.
Dimensions. Approx 36 W ; 30 H ; 19 D.
Category
1920s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Asian Ornate Craved Wood Damchiya Dowry Box
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Antique Indian Damchiya with extensively carved wood. The traditional box was used as a dowry for Indian brides and gifted at weddings. It has panelled...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century pair of Indian Wood pillars
Located in PAU, FR
Wonderful pair of Indian columns from the XVIIIth century, the wood have a really nice patina, the tops are well sculpted.
We could see the influence of the british colonial.
Category
18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
A Large Brass and Oak Barrel Stick Stand This good looking piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Large Brass and Oak Barrel Stick Stand
This good looking piece originated as a 19th Century Rum Barrel, it is made with oak staves and bound with 6 wide brass hoops
The Barrel i...
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Monkeys Prints, 12 Engravings from "Le Règne Animal" Georges Cuvier, France 1816
Located in Firenze, IT
Set of 3 glassed framed panels of 12 engraving depicting monkeys and lemur studies from "Le Règne Animal" by Georges Cuvier.
France, 1816
Le Règne Animal (The Animal Kingdom) i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
Monumental Giltwood Rope Framed Oil On Canvas Palm Beach Style Leopard In Tree
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1990s large scale oil on canvas depicting a recumbent leopard in a lush tree. It is nicely framed in a giltwood twisted rope. Artist unknown. Very good condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
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
Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
By John Derian
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
Antique English Pewter Plate
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pewter plate made in England by unknown manufacturer.
An good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful p...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Cheneys, London Velvet & Leather, Travel Bag or Briefcase, 1950s, England
Located in Andernach, DE
Handbag / suitcase / travel bag / briefcase by Cheney, England.
Period of manufacture: around 1950.
Black, thick, soft velvet (probably cotton) with beautiful British stripes in red...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Original Framed Jacobs Cream Crackers Card Poster, from Dublin
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Original framed Jacobs cream crackers card poster, from Dublin
This is delightful original advertising sign, showing a happy young lady in period dress on the telephone telling us , “yes please Cream Crackers and they must be Jacobs”
The sign is color printed on card, it is in good condition and set in its own original frame, it has W&R Jacobs...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
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
Original Walnut Wing Chair, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original walnut wing chair, circa 1900.
Armchair reupholstered and refinished a short time ago,
small stains on the fabric.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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
Antique Two-Tier Cane and Scorched Bamboo Tiger Wood Side Table with Storage Top
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Antique Victorian Aesthetic movement two-tier scorched bamboo and cane tigerwood side table or occasional table with box storage on top. Bamboo occasional tables like this, are a cult favorite among those in the design circle as well as discerning collectors across the globe. Evoking a tropical or British Colonial vibe, these tables are rare to find, and always a classic timeless piece for just about any room in the home.
You'll find this classic bamboo side table while flipping through the pages of nearly every design magazine. Understated, perhaps because of it’s size, it packs a big punch. It serves as both form and function with two areas for storage. Both a hidden box, as well as a bottom open shelf.
Born in the 19th century, this piece is created out of bamboo. Other terms used to describe this type of material and finish, are scorched bamboo or tortoiseshell bamboo or tiger bamboo. This particular piece is square in form and has four legs. The top of the table is square and features a box with a liftable lid for storage. Fastened with a hinge, it is a great way to hide little things that make a space feel cluttered. (TV remotes, reading glasses, etc.) When closed, the top functions as a normal tabletop. We envision a beautiful vase sitting atop a stack of well-loved books.
Under the top of the table, sits a second open tier shelf for additional storage. Again, we think this would be a great way to showcase a stack of your favorite books or a small bowl of fresh flowers.
Both the top of the table, and the sides are covered in what is sometimes called rice matt. It's more of a woven fiber much like cane or wicker, and can often be mistaken for grasscloth.
This piece would be fabulous if used in a number of ways:
1.) Our dear friend suggested using this as her "smoking box". With the inside holding the items she wouldn't necessarily want in view, but in a convenient enough place to quickly grab things should she need/want to.
2.) Entry table: To eliminate the mess of setting keys and sunglasses on a table, we think this small table box would be a great place to set keys and sunglasses inside, and then closed, to set a purse on top of.
3.) Patio: A lovely plant stand between two patio chairs...
Category
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid 20th Century ERIICoronation Jug
Located in Raleigh, US
Johnson Bros Coronation Jug – ERII, Elizabeth II 1953
Celebrate a historic moment with this vintage Johnson Bros "Greydawn" Coronation Jug, created to commemorate the coronation of Q...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Ceylonese British Colonial Style Satinwood Ebony Mahogany Hutch Cupboard Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Ceylonese British Colonial Style Satinwood Ebony Mahogany Hutch Cupboard Cabinet. Item features beautiful satinwood, ebony, and mahogany wood, 3 dovetail constructed drawers,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
Pair of Woven Reed Pillows
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of pillows handcrafted in woven reed in a herringbone pattern with discrete side zippers. Exclusively designed and offered by F. S. Henemader antiques ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
French Antique Folding Chair, Campaign Safari
Located in Miami, FL
Wood and Black Faux Leather Antique Folding Chair, Made in France. Brass Hardware. Ready for a new home.
Category
1940s French Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Exceptional Blue Antique Mohajeran Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning early 20th century Persian Sarouk Mohajeran Rug.
4'3'' x 6'7''
Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of persian rugs worldwide. Most of them consist of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
English Colonial Ebony Wood Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A ebony English Colonial games table having a folding top on center column and four cabriole legs.
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ebony
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
Nice antique English tilt-top table/side table with a square top
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this nice antique English tilt-top table/side table with a square top. This charming table is in a good condition and the original tilting mechanism still works well. It's...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Brass Door Handle
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of very decorative brass door or cabinet handles with carved details. Ready to mount.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Bamboo Chinese Style Demi-Lune Center Table with Open Fretwork Design
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Introduce an element of refined elegance to your space with this Vintage Bamboo Chinese style demi-lune low profile center table.
The table features a distinctive open fretwork design...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
English Country Mahogany Ladderback Roundabout Corner Arm Chair Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to early 20th century English Country roundabout corner armchair. Made of mahogany featuring rounded form with ladderback supports over turned posts and supports, vinyl seat and ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Apple Green Unusual Velvet Pillows
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
These cushions were made by a famous Swiss workshop (whose name I don't remember), with a beautiful green velvet.
Size are cm. 40 x 40 (padding) with a 12 cm. band all around.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Velvet
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
Castilian Ornamental Porcelain & Brass Elephant Horn Drinking Hunt Vase 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornamental hunt theme drinking horn / centerpiece trophy / cornucopia epergne / flower vase featuring a tapered pedestal base with brass capped feet and circus Elephant balancing a porcelain horn or tusk. Stamped on base, Item No. 4052-C4A. Castilian Imports...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century British colonial partners desk hand crafted in well grained mahogany with a tooled leather top on a case with three drawers on either side over two pedestals ...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Leather Stuffed Elephant
Located in Huntington, NY
Faux ivory tusks.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Straw
American Country Copper Cauldron
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) copper cauldron with wrought iron handle.
Category
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
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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