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
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
1920s Wood Himachal Pot
Located in Roma, IT
1920s Wood Himachal Pot
This seemingly simple wooden vase is a design object of infinite beauty and elegance that can be placed in either an antique or a modern or contemporary sett...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian 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
Hollone F. Nelly, Vintage Still Life Oil On Canvas "Breakfast W/ Flowers"
Located in Atlanta, GA
**Hollone F. Nelly, Vintage Still Life "Breakfast with Flowers," Oil on Canvas**
This vintage still life by Hollone F. Nelly, titled *"Breakfast with Flowers,"* captures a tranqui...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
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
19th C Jamaican Mahogany Round Specimen Table, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This table is attributed to Ralph Turnbull, who was a famous Jamaican cabinet maker in the 19th century. Constructed of mahogany with palmwood and satin...
Category
19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Palmwood, Satinwood
British Colonial Tradewinds Rattan & Copper Grandfathers Clock Bonnet Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial tradewinds Rattan & copper Grandfathers clock Bonnet mirror
Modeled after the bonnet of a tall case clock, with turned hardwood finials, applied engraved copper fretwork...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Copper
Pair of Jim Thompson British Colonial Style Silk Pillows with Elephants
By Jim Thompson
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Delightful pair of silk throw pillows with elephants carrying gifts in a floral border signed Jim Thompson.
Priced Individually
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silk
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
Square Two-Tiered Coffee Table with Caning
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic Baker, two-tiered coffee or cocktail table with a sleek black lacquer frame, walnut top, and a caned lower plateau that adds a British Colonial influence.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Antique Royal Standard of the United Kingdom in Giltwood Frame and Under Glass
Located in Morristown, NJ
An antique Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, possibly by Benjamin Edgington, London. The fabric is in a giltwood frame under glass. Each of the four quadrants on the flag represe...
Category
1830s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Wood
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
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 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
Vintage Bamboo Framed Mirror
Located in Clermont, 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 Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
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
British Royal Officers Uniform
Located in Buchanan, MI
Exceptional royal officers uniform, royal blue wool hand embroidered with gold metallic thread. Hand chased belt buckle and sword guard. Please contact...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
John Somers elegant 6 inch pewter pitcher
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
Elegant Mid-20th Century Pewter Pitcher by John Somers – Brazil
This beautifully crafted 6-inch pitcher is a distinguished piece by John Somers, a well-known Brazilian pewter manuf...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pewter
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
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
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
1940s Wood Himachal Pot
Located in Roma, IT
1920s Wood Himachal Pot
This seemingly simple wooden vase is a design object of infinite beauty and elegance that can be placed in either an antique or a modern or contemporary set...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Set of Six Moth Watercolors
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty set of six watercolors on paper depicting the surprising diverse beauty of moth species. Presented in wood frames, matted and under glass.
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint, Wood, Paper
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
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
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
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
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
Distressed Vintage Turkish Kilim Rug with Southern Living British Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
50769, distressed vintage Turkish Kilim rug with Southern Living British Colonial style. This handwoven wool vintage Turkish Kilim...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large 18th Century Colonial Walnut Chest with Brass Fittings
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
This impressive 18th-century walnut colonial coffer, also known as a blanket chest, features exceptional brass hardware and is constructed from solid pieces of walnut. The chest is d...
Category
Late 18th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Zabihi Collection Royal Blue Antique Mohajeran Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning early 20th century Persian Sarouk Mohajeran rug.
7'1'' x 10'6''
Before the 1920s the Sarouk design was the most popular of Persian rugs worldwide. Most of them consist of ...
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Francois Grenier Mixed Media 3D La Chasse au Tigre Tiger Hunt Collage
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mixed-media enhanced engraving artwork attributed to Francois Grenier. François GRENIER b. 1793-1867. This work features a hunting scene from India, framed shadowbox style, signed in stone lower left and titled on backside. La Chasse au Tigre translates to (Tiger Chase or Tiger Hunt...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Organic Material, Paper
Coromandel Lacquer Cabinet On A Giltwood Console, England, early 18th century fl
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Coromandel Lacquer Cabinet On A Giltwood Console, England, early 18th century flag
Category
18th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Beautiful Persian Bakhtiari Gallery Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th century Persian Bakhtiari Gallery size rug
Measures: 5'8'' x 11'4''.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Persian Shiraz Gallery Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Persian Shiraz Gallery size rug
Measures: 4'11'' x 11'8''.
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
English Golf Display Case Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
English display case wall plaque with golf driver and iron heads and trophy in oak frame.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Gold Brown Vintage Inspired Turkish Runner
Located in New York, NY
Turkish runner in warm colors with a geometric garrus design derived from late 19th century Persian Bidjar rugs.
3' x 14'7''
Category
Late 20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
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
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
Antique Persian Senneh Bibikabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular antique Bibikabad Persian Senneh rug from the 1st quarter of the 20th Century
Measures: 4'7'' x 6'6''.
Category
20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Elefante de cuero “Liberty of London”
Located in VALÈNCIA, ES
Elefante de cuero “Liberty of London” Circa 1.940, realizado en madera hueca con relleno y cuero marrón natural.
Category
1940s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cowhide, Wood
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
Large Carved Arab Sculpture with Coffee and Pipe, Vienna, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A masterly carved wooden statue of an Arab drinking coffee and smoking his pipe. An antique shop window decoration from a coffee shop or a tobacco ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Tole Military Hat Trade Sign on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Trade sign depicting an 18th century British officer's hat with a weathered finish and presented on a custom Lucite stand.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Feminine Persian Antique Kerman Brown Pink Rose Accent Room Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative floral Persian rug with a formal presence. Caramel ground with hints of soft blues, raspberries, cinnamon and pinks,
circa 19...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Solid Teak Hand Carved Colonial Whatnot Rack with Shelves & Drawers
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Colonial solid Teak whatnot stand with shelves in good condition. Hand carved fluted vase columns with crown moulding and drawers. Brass ha...
Category
Early 1900s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
French Cast Iron Firedog Andirons of Soldiers Val D´Osne, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of 19th century French firedogs or andirons in cast iron stamped Val d´Osne. The andirons appear in their unbeatable old patina making the "Zoauve" soldier and the "Grenadier" soldier formed figures fabulously attractive. The foundry of Val d´Osne grounded in 1836 by Jean-Pierre-Victor André, is the maker of the Crystal Palace in London, build for the 1851 Great Exhibition...
Category
19th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
English Country Style Carved Walnut Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (19th Century) carved walnut wall plaque with grape and floral design and bird.
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Safari Style Brocade Lumbar Pillow With Tiger
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Small cute lumbar pillow in yellow gold brocade with tiger tapestry and fringes .
Category
1970s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brocade
British Colonial Solid Teak Plantation Shutters with Panel Work Dovetailed
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Colonial solid teak plantation shutters uncompromisingly made. 1.25" thick teak from old grown timber. Varnished. Customize and introduce y...
Category
Early 1900s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Silver Vase Oriental Manufacture of the Colonial Age, Early 1900
Located in Roma, IT
This silver vase is an original decorative object realized by oriental manufacture of the colonial age in the beginning of the 20th century.
This refined silver vase is entirely e...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
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
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
Distressed Antique Turkish Rug with British Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74991, distressed antique Turkish rug with British Colonial style 10'03 x 15'07.?? With its casual elegance and lovingly timeworn appear...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish 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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