British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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
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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial partners desk hand crafted in mahogany with a brown tooled leather top, two drawers on either side and elegant turned legs on brass casters.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
British Colonial Elephant Head Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style one drawer writing desk or table crafted in walnut with a chic pecan finish with contrived aging and featuring four carved elephant head legs with an India inspired...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury British Colonial style 4-drawer writing desk or work table of bamboo wood frame construction wrapped in woven basket weave cane rattan. Featuring a generous work surface with custom cut glass, fitted to the top & lower open shelves, the desk is finished on all sides allowing for various placement options. Sold as a set including the classic Baker faux bamboo caned...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century campaign chest with seven drawers handcrafted in camphor wood and featuring a pullout desk with nooks, drawers and a leather writi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive mid century desk crafted with a faux burnt bamboo frame having grasscloth panels on the tops, sides, and drawer fronts, featuring two glove boxes and a dramatic pagoda for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
Dos Gallos Studio Custom Walnut Desk or Dining Table with Wishbone Stretcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is our custom wishbone winery table that can be made in any size and with any finish, in a range of colors and distresses. This particular table was going to be used as a desk s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique English British Colonial Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English desk handcrafted in mahogany, in three piece construction, with brass campaign hardware, having a tooled black leather top with Greek key motif on a cas...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Black Lacquer English Antique Campaign Style Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Lacquer English Antique Campaign Style Desk. Believe this to be from the 19th Century. Please contact for additional photos and condition report.
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mahogany console desk, English, 19th century
Located in Nice, FR
This desk is solid mahogany, it dates from the 19th century, English origin. It is in good condition. Two drawers on the front with original entry. It can be used as a console or ser...
Category
1880s English Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bentwood
Andrianna Shamaris Raffles Teak Wood Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Rare. This beautiful teak wood colonial console has a single slab 2.5” beveled top.
The antique raffles console table is part of the antique collection, which represents an elegant line of antique teak...
Category
1810s Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Anglo Indian Colonial Teak Desk, 1890s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Large and sturdy desk from the late 1800s. Generously thick teak material. Below the full carved profile typical of the style and period. numerous restorati...
Category
1890s Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
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Studio Craft Writing Desk
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A nicely crafted studio desk with pencil drawer. Signed by the artist.
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1970s Vintage British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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English Campaign Chest With Integrated Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Spectacular English Campaign Chest - ship captain's desk / chest in two parts. The top central drawer contains a drop-front desk surface with multiple small drawers and secret compar...
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Classic Edwardian Style Mahogany & Leather Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome Edwardian style writing desk having rich mahogany base and front turned legs that terminate in casters. Top is covered in brown tooled leather. Two drawers on one side. ...
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1950s North American Vintage British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Leather, Mahogany
British Colonial Faux Bamboo and Grass Cloth Square Coffee Table
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Stunning mid-century British Colonial style coffee table with a faux bamboo frame and two grass cloth tiers over splayed feet, 1980's.
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Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Faux Bamboo
Campaign Style Tooled Leather, Brass And Burl Mahogany Writing Desk
By Thomasville
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 20th century campaign style burl mahogany desk with brass accents and tooled leather top. It is finished on all sides thus enabling it to float in a room. Floor to drawer i...
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Late 20th Century American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Brass
Campaign chest Camphor
Located in MILL, NL
Very cool English campaign chest / coffee table. With brass fittings. Made of solid camphor wood. 19th century.
Condition of the chest is good. Very solid and sturdy. Traces of use ...
Category
1890s Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Desk by Baker in Campaign Style With Leather Top
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Elegance & Function: Vintage Baker Campaign Desk with Leather Top!
This vintage Baker desk, crafted in the classic campaign style, combines refined...
Category
1980s American Vintage British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Wood
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Desk w Drawers Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front desk w drawers dresser.
Category
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 46 in W 39 in D 22 in
Biedermeier Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful example of form and function from the Biedermeier period. Constructed in the Austrian Empire of sturdy Fir with Walnut veneers cut in profile as well as on the burl. A fo...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Fir
Danish Teak Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish made mid-century modern desk in teak wood grain. Four drawers and finished back.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Antique American Colonial Solid Maple Roll Top Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous American Colonial, Georgian, or Chippendale style roll-top desk
USA, Circa 1970s
Carved solid maple, with original brass hardware. Desk and drawer locks, and keys are in...
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1970s American Vintage British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th C. Bamboo Chinoiserie Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Lacquered Bamboo Desk, France, circa late 19th Century. Beautiful hand painted aesthetic movement decoration. It is a versatile size and can be used as a desk, writing ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Previously Available Items
British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around having a concave center drawer and two more on either side over a lower tier.
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Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo
20th Century English style desk in oak, United Kingdom ca. 1950
Located in Meulebeke, BE
United kingdom / 1950 / desk / oak / English
A charming writing table or desk in full oak crafted in the 1950s in the united kingdom.
This tabel has two sp...
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1950s British Vintage British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Oak
19Th. English Colonial Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Lacquer Drop-Front Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this 19Th. English Colonial Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Lacquer Drop-Front Desk .
Lovely Tortoiseshell color to the Bamboo through out with large accents of Japanned Lacquer plaques...
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Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo
Boho British Colonial Bamboo & Rattan Desk
By Dal Vera
Located in Trenton, NJ
Introducing this Vintage British Colonial Style Grasscloth and Bamboo Writing Desk – a tropical oasis for your workspace that’s as stylish as it is sustainable! Say goodbye to boring...
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Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood
An Entry Table/Writing Table in Oak
Located in Malibu, CA
In oak, an antique English entry table.
Add character to any room with this beautiful table supported by turned legs in Oak with a spaciou...
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Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Maitland-Smith Vintage Faux Trunk Convertible Foldout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable British Colonial style faux steamer trunk crafted in leather and grasscloth and converts to a foldout desk featuring three drawers on each side, a tooled leather ...
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20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Grasscloth
Antique English British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century English partners desk, regency in style, crafted in mahogany having a tooled leather top on a case with three drawers on each side supported by dramatic turned and beaded legs...
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Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Brass
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury British colonial style desk and chair crafted with a burnt bamboo frame having pagoda form galleries. The desk has two glove boxes, grasscloth panels on a case with three ...
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Mid-20th Century Macanese British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Grasscloth, Bamboo
Faux Bamboo Two Drawer Table or Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Mid-20th century faux bamboo two drawer table or writing desk with faux bamboo gallery around the top. Original handles.
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Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Maitland-Smith British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome midcentury British Colonial style desk having a tooled and gilt decorated brown leather top, a five drawer case with tooled leathe...
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20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
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Leather, Faux Bamboo
Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Asian modern British colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and painted grasscloth panels featuring a pagoda form gallery,...
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20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo
English British Colonial Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English desk crafted in mahogany having the original lush tooled leather top in a cross banded border over a case with two drawers on turned tapered legs with b...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
British Colonial desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Asia, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Dos Gallos Studio, and Kittinger. 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,020 and tops out at $18,000 while the average work can sell for $9,900.