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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
Period: Late 20th Century
Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Sheesham Blanket Trunk Chest Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century British Colonial style Sheesham wood blanket storage chest or coffee table. Features a beautiful two tone finish with iron hardware. Dimensions: 16" x 24" x 16"h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base. Dimensions: 17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maitland Smith Painted Monkey Landscape Crackled Coromandel Wall Panel 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
Hand painted Maitland Smith Coromandel wall panel. Features a crackled landscape with monkeys holding peaches in a tropical setting amongst bird...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Vintage Tooled Leather Traditional Carved Campaign Style Office Writing Desk 62"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century campaign style desk. Features a rectangular form with brown tooled leather top and two drawers in the frieze. Each drawer has brass lion knocker pulls. The desk is ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Wall Mirror
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful British colonial style wall mirror framed in faux bamboo and cane. Great mirror that could be used in a variety of applications and alongside various interior decor styles
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Cane

Baker Milling Road British Colonial Style Mahogany & Wrought Iron Side Tables -2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of modern British Colonial style mahogany and wrought iron side tables by the Milling Road division of Baker Furniture. They have clean lines which would work in a var...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Cane Sideboard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very nice sideboard consisting of a bamboo frame with cane clad panels. Features four doors, each set revealing shelves. On the left is one adjustable shelf, and the right side has...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Regency Campaign-Style X-Base Cane Stools in the Manner of Gillows of Lancaster-
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A refined pair of Campaign-style stools featuring elegant X-base frames and handwoven cane seats, in the manner of Gillows of Lancaster. These stools showcase turned stretchers, scro...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

2 Maitland Smith Hand Painted Monkey Landscape Crackled Coromandel Wall Panel
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of hand painted Maitland Smith wall panels. Features a crackled landscape with monkeys holding peaches in a tropical setting amongst birds. Each...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Vintage John Derian Large Square Porcelain Lidded Jar with Birds and Foliage
Located in Doylestown, PA
Oversized, square porcelain hand-painted lidded jar in the shape of a tea caddy by John Derian with birds after the 18th century biological illustrations of naturalist George Edwards...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Dunhill Cigar Ashtray Catchall England Black and Red Collectible 1970
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Vintage Dunhill ceramic square collectible ashtray catchall by Wade England Royal red and black. Vintage Alfred Dunhill collectible porcelain cigar ...
Category

Late 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs; The Collection of Andre Leon Talley
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs w/ fitted upholstered seat cushion. Seat cushion is removable. From Andre Leon Talley's Collection. A striking pair of large wicker armchairs, meticul...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan

Vintage Pagoda British Colonial Style Bamboo and Cane Magazine Racks- a Pair
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful large scale pair of magazine racks with materials reminiscent of British Colonial influence and a Pagoda like design. Uniquely designed with a lower shelf and two compart...
Category

1990s Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Mid-century solid brass obelisk lamp after Chapman
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome mid-century vintage library style solid brass obelisk lamp. This obelisk lamp has a pedestal with four ball feet, holding up the obelisk with a metal black lacquer...
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage 80s McGuire Antalya Directors Style Dining or Occasional Chairs Rawhide
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Classic 1980s directors style McGuire dining or occasional armchairs with lattice style rawhide seats and backs. These rattan framed chairs with backrest and seat woven in ra...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hide, Rattan

British Colonial Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful set of eight British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style dining chairs USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: Sid...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Bamboo Rattan and Cane Lounge Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Organic Modern lounge chair By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection" Circa Late 20th Century Rattan frame in bamboo form, with cane seat and bac...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Cane

Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century figural horse bronze table lamp by Maitland Smith featuring a mare and foal in tableau on a charcoal black marble clad base. Includes hard and rectangular tooled / ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Rattan Diminutive Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo and Rattan Diminutive Chest  Europe, Later 20th Century  A stunning British Colonial-style diminutive chest of drawers, wrapped in rattan...
Category

Late 20th Century European British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Willow

Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Hartville, OH
Gorgeous Vintage Chesterfield Sofa with Deep Button Tufts, Rolled arms and Brass Casters. Finished in a Cognac leather. Unsigned, believed to be Ralph Lauren.
Category

1990s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Brighton Chinoiserie Rattan Blonde Bamboo Caning Split Reed Armchair 70s
By Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage blonde bamboo, caning and split reed armchair on six legs. This is a handcrafted chair with woven cane seat features bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The b...
Category

1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed

Ralph Lauren British Colonial Carved Mahogany Sideboard Buffet or Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial, American Classical, or Victorian style carved mahogany sideboard, buffet server, or console table By Ralph Lauren Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 6...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Ralph Lauren Home Tufted Leather Chaise
Located in Hartville, OH
Extraordinary Vintage Find. This spectacular example came to us having been well loved by a 4 legged family member. After years of daily enjoyment and much to our disappointment, the...
Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Etagere
Located in Southampton, NJ
A Faux bamboo British Colonial style etagere with mirror detailing, fixed interior shelves behind two glass doors; enhanced with green grasscloth interior. Multifunctional for storag...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Glass

Vintage Maitland Smith Figural Bronze Monkey Desk Lamp With Pen Shell Shade 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive handmade figural bronze lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a monkey climbing a tree branch, holding an adjustable banker style pen shell shade. The bronze is mounted to a...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Robert Lighton British Khaki Teak Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Silk Curtains 92"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Robert Lighton British Khaki X armoire / wardrobe / TV console / cabinet. Made of teak featuring dark ebonized finish with double jointed doors ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair British Colonial Style Rattan, Tessellated StoneChests/Nightstands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair British Colonial Style Rattan and bamboo Tessellated Stone Chests/Nightstands A pair of exquisite British Colonial Style Bamboo, Rattan, ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage figural horse bronze table lamp by Maitland Smith featuring a mare and foal in tableau on a charcoal black marble clad base. Includes hard and rectangular tooled / gilded lea...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Mercury Glass Silvered Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of mercury glass silvered candlesticks. Silvered mercury glass is mouth-blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution. The silvering is ...
Category

Late 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass

Handsome Military Snare Drum from Sevenoaks Air Training Corps
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Handsome military snare drum from sevenoaks air training corps. This a good decorative piece ‘2158 SEVENOAKS SQDn’ AIR TRAINING CORPS’ painted on the f...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Plastic

1970's Sculpted Cane & Rattan Bar Stools, 6 available
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Sculpted twisted cane & rattan counter height bar stools. Solid and very comfortable. They swivel in the center. Made in colonial Tiawan, circa 1970's. They show little to no wear at...
Category

1970s Taiwanese Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rattan

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Freestanding Cheval Floor Mirror
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful British colonial style floor mirror with faux burnt bamboo frame and cane details. Great geometric pattern up top. Would work well in a variety of interiors Mirror only ...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Cane

Large Scale British Colonial Style Framed Tropical Fruit / Botanicals -S/9
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of nine very large scale British Colonial style framed reproduction tropical fruit prints. They are nicely framed and matted. They would make a stunning wall! The print...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

20th C. Set of Four Nichols and Stone Mahogany Windsor Side Chairs by Stickley
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Set of Four Nichols and Stone Mahogany Windsor Style Side Chairs manufactured by Stickley in Manlius New York. Great vintage condition with clean line, solid wood p...
Category

Late 20th Century American 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

Vintage Coastal Boho Bamboo Rattan Foldable Dinning / Card Table
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Charming vintage folding table crafted from bamboo and rattan, featuring a striking geometric parquet design on the top. The natural beauty of the bamboo is highlighted by the warm h...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Maitland Smith Mahogany Curio Golf Ball Display Wall Cabinet Case German Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare Maitland Smith curio cabinet. Made from naturally distressed mahogany with glass front opening to four shelves with brass tee shaped pedestals intended to display golf balls. The crown of the clock showcases crossed golf clubs over a German made clock...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Faux 'Elephant Tusk', Marble Bookends or Dresser Ornaments, 20th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of faux elephant tusk bookends or decorative ornaments for your desk, dresser or in front of your entrance hall mirror. They are constructe...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble

Maitland-Smith Vintage British Colonial Style Bar Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive mid century bar cabinet featuring an upper case crafted in coconut shell with two doors having bronze elephant head handles and an illuminated interior lined in mahogany w...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Colonial Style Twin Bed Frame
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Colonial style twin bed frame made of maple. Turned baluster bed posts are topped with cannon ball finials, and support slightly scrolled head and foot ...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Maple

2 Maitland Smith Shell Mosaic Stacked Ball Candlestick Buffet Table Lamps 36"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two Maitland Smith buffet / table lamps featuring round bronze bases and urn shaped finials with factory distressed patina / verdigris, w...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maitland Smith Bronze & Shell Mosaic Footed Ginger Jar Urn Table Lamp 30"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith table in the shape of a tall ginger jar / urn featuring a white shell mosaic in a scalloped feather or leaf vein pa...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

British Colonial Solid Maple Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial or Early American extension harvest style dining table USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid maple, with turned legs. Measures: 72.5"W x 44"D x 30.25"H. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Maple

British Colonial Carved Claw Foot China Cabinet
Located in Countryside, IL
British Colonial Carved Claw Foot China Cabinet This china cabinet measures: 62.5 wide x 19 deep x 66.75 inches high We take our photos in a ...
Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

British Colonial Style Set of Four Safari Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dashing set of four vintage British Colonial chairs crafted in mahogany stained maple with a pegged construction in a safari style havi...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Maple

20th Century Maitland-Smith Faux Tortoise Bamboo Brass Pull Stand Magazine Racks
Located in Miami, FL
Maitland-Smith British Colonial Style End Table or stand with a faux tortoise finish over a turned wood faux bamboo frame. Featuring Gold Leaf tooled brown leather panels, one drawer...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Pair of Mid-Century Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Nests of Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of British colonial style nests of tables or stands each with faux bamboo frames wrapped with reed and grass cloth panels on the table tops.
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Reed

pair of chests of drawers, natural fibers, Signed Kreiss
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of high quality chests of drawers with a warm and timeless appearance. They could be combined with rattan, brass or natural wood elements for a harmonious look. They would be a ...
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Natural Fiber

Oil Painting on Canvas of Parrots
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking oil painting on canvas of three parrots in a natural rain forest setting executed with hyper realism technique. Signed by noted American artist Andre Lange...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paint

British Colonial Style Coffee Table with Inset Bronze, Christie's Auction Label
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial Style coffee table with inset bronze. Christie's auction label. Offered for sale is a British Colonial-style coffee table with an inset bronze grate...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Group of Eight Elephant Head Wall Ornaments, Priced Per Set of Four
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage group of twelve intriguing hand decorated cast composition elephant head wall ornaments or brackets. From the Walker Theater, Indianapolis Indiana. Priced per set of four (4).
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Composition

Safari style Giraffe Wall Bracket
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Safari style giraffe head wall bracket set honed by the artist.
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Composition

Maitland Smith Post Modern Zebra Hide Box 1980's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Post Modern 1980s Maitland Smith decorative box made of a square wood bottom covered in brown leather and top lid covered with zebra hide with a round polished brass and hyde p...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Zebra Hide

Vintage Ficks and Reed Rattan Chaise Lounge
Located in Bellport, NY
A newly upholstered Ficks and Reed chaise longue, indoor outdoor fabric, new fill in cushions, zippers installed. Lovely condition, easily placed in mos...
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan, Paint

Pair Safari Style Tapestry Pillows Elephant Camel
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cute pair of tapestry woven pillows Safari style with elephant and camel figures. Velvet back, zip closure. Great condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Textile

Anglo Indian Bronze Serving Bowl on a Palm Tree Stand with Camel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style cast bronze fruit or serving bowl on a palm tree stand over a camel on a faux terra firma base.
Category

Late 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Faux Bamboo Cane Magazine Rack Stand Side Table Bohemian British Colonial Style
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial Style Boho Chic Side Table featuring Faux Bamboo frames with a Faux Tortoise Finish, handwoven Cane panels. Chinese Chippendale sides and bases with magazine racks. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Faux Bamboo

Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage teakwood low bookcase / display cabinet with sliding glass doors This vintage teak bookcase or display cabinet was handmade i...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Teak

British Colonial Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style dining chairs USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 21.25"W x...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

1980s Vintage Chests From Century Furniture
Located in Hartville, OH
1 of 2 Monumental Chests of Drawers from Century Furniture. Distressed finish, beautiful hardware and cream stone tops. These are huge and have a strong European rustic feel. Italian...
Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Stone

1980s Vintage Chests From Century Furniture
1980s Vintage Chests From Century Furniture
$2,300 Sale Price / item
20% Off

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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