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.
Vintage Coastal Tortoise Bamboo Octagonal Dining Table With Decoupage Floral Top
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Absolutely stunning vintage octagonal dining table featuring a richly detailed tortoise bamboo base with dramatic wrapped rattan accents and an eye-catching decoupage appliqué top. T...
Bamboo, Rattan, Plywood
18th Century English Oak Trestle Dining Table with Turned Supports
Located in Dallas, TX
Rooted in the traditions of the English country house, this antique oak dining table was crafted during the 18th century with a broad rectangular plank top and a strong trestle base ...
Oak
19th Century Stripped English Pine Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully preserved 19th century English antique dining table crafted from solid pine, with an exceptionally long plank top, handsome turned legs, and the pale, timeworn surface ...
Pine
Early 19th Century Antique English Oak Gateleg Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Few forms of English furniture have remained as useful and recognizable as the gateleg table. Developed in England during the 17th century, the design answered a practical need withi...
Oak
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
A British Colonial Dining Table on Casters with Extension Leaves
Located in Chicago, IL
A substantial Indian rosewood dining table in the British Colonial tradition, featuring a richly grained top with multiple extension leave...
Rosewood
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...
Walnut
$3,200Sale Price|44% Off
A Teak Wood Oval Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
The natural roughness of the material is what gives this table its authenticity. It is a stunning piece rich in texture and history, and may serve a wide variety of roles in its futu...
Teak
Palecek French Regency Style Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine Palecek French Regency style center or pedestal dining table of faux bamboo & braided rope styling accented with leather joinery in excellent vintage condition. Table dimensi...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century Colonial Walnut Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table w/ Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century American Colonial walnut drop leaf breakfast dining table with drawer. Item features remarkable authentic patina, turn carved legs, drop leaf sides, solid wood c...
Walnut
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. ...
Maple
1990's Coastal Pedestal Dining Table, Rattan, Glass, Leather, Palecek
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine pedestal dining / center or game table of solid wood faux bamboo and twisted rope styling, accented with leather joinery with round glass top. Excellent vintage condition, rea...
Leather, Glass, Wood
20th Century English Oak Trestle Dining Table with Iron Bands
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Century) trestle dining table with a rectangular top made of oak planks held in place by two wide iron bands on either side, with cutouts in the corners b...
Iron
British Colonial Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style extension harvest style dining table Early 21st Century Solid cherry wood, with turned legs. Measures: 72"W x 44"D...
Cherry
20th Century English Oak Trestle Dining Table with Iron Bands
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Century) trestle dining table with a rectangular top made of oak planks held in place by two wide iron bands on either side, with cutouts in the corners b...
Iron
$2,180
H 27.76 in Dm 43.31 in
Danish Modern Round Pine Dining Table with Extension Leaves, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming Danish Modern round dining table crafted in solid pine, produced in Denmark during the 1970s. The table features a clean and functional design with warm natural tones and ...
Pine
$1,904
H 28.35 in W 29.53 in D 33.47 in
Dining Table In Rosewood With 2 Extension Leaves & Flaps By Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder
Located in Lejre, DK
Arne Vodder dining table in rosewood from the 1960s. With flaps and 2 extension leaves of 47 cm. Classic Danish design in exclusive execution. — Designer: Arne Vodder — Period: 1960...
Rosewood
$2,689
H 27.56 in W 55.91 in D 39.38 in
Oval Mahogany Dining Table with 3 Extension Leaves in Gustavian Style, 1940s
Located in Lejre, DK
Oval dining table from the 1940s, made of mahogany in Gustavian style. The table comes with three extension leaves, each measuring 48 cm, allowing the table to be extended as needed....
Mahogany
DOS GALLOS Custom Pedestal Table with Extension Leaves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bench made custom beehive base pedestal table with extension leaves. As shown in walnut wood. Measure: 72 inches diameter with two 12 inch leaves, extending to 96 inches long. Can be...
Walnut
Mid century Rosewood Danish Modern Extension Dining Table 2 Leaves
By H. Sigh & Søns Møbelfabrik AS, Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Rosewood Rectangle Danish Modern extension dining table with (2) nesting pull out leaves. This table has Solid rosewood round tapered legs. This table is in good vintage ...
Birch, Rosewood
$5,795
H 29.32 in W 85.8 in D 32.6 in
20th Century French Oak Trestle Dining Table With Wrought Iron Stretcher
Located in High Point, NC
This refined 20th Century French oak trestle dining table exemplifies timeless craftsmanship through its balanced proportions and elegant restraint. The solid oak top displays a warm...
Oak
$1,250
H 29.75 in W 68 in D 48 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Art Deco Extension Dining Table with 2 Leaves
Located in Chicago, IL
A lovely Barbara Barry for Baker extension dining table. This is one of her most popular designs - timeless. Super solid but in need of refinishing. The table top is scratched, th...
Mahogany
19th-Century French Fruitwood Extension Dining Table with Two Leaves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A solid 19th-century French fruitwood dining table with a classic provincial character and a practical extension system. The proportions are straightforward and honest: a 62-inch top...
Fruitwood
$7,900
H 28.5 in W 66 in D 66 in
Large McGuire Organic Modern Octagonal Bamboo Dining Table Base for Glass Top
By John McGuire, McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Large McGuire Octagonal Bamboo Dining Table Base for Glass Top. A genuine McGuire organic modern table base, designed by breakthrough innovator John McGuire for McGuire San Francisco...
Iron
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 65 in D 37 in
Mid century Teak Danish Modern Extension Dining Table 2 Leaves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Teak Rectangle Danish Modern extension dining table with (2) nesting pull out leaves. This table has Solid teak apron and tapered legs. This table is in beautiful conditi...
Birch, Teak
19th Century Pine Lancashire Mill Dining Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century pine Lancashire Mill table Original finish in reclaimed condition with great color, wear & patination. Fantastic proportions with elegant narrow legs and stretcher ...
Pine
English 19th Century Pine Farmhouse Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English 19th century dining table made of pine rippling in soft texture and color, ideal for six guests with room up to eight. The planks forming the top feature raised grain that i...
Pine
Ralph Lauren Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Astoria, NY
Ralph Lauren "British Colonial" Flame Mahogany Extending Dining Table, with two side drawers on fluted tapered legs. 30.5" H x 79.25" W x 47.5" D; fully extended: 124" W. Provenanc...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.63 in W 124.5 in D 47.5 in
Ralph Lauren British Colonial Flame Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
By Ralph Lauren
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial, Victorian, or Louis XVI style extension dining table By Ralph Lauren USA, Circa Late 20th Century Gorgeous book-matched inlaid flame mahogany top, wi...
Brass
A British Colonial Teak Wood Dining Table or Conference Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This British Colonial teak wood dining table with bevel edges typically embodies the elegant, yet practical design elements that arose during the British colonial era in the 19th and...
Teak
Vintage Round Dining Table with Extensions
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage round dining table with four boards that attach to the outside of the table, increasing the size from 58 inches to 82 inches in diameter Both elegant and incredibly detailed this beautiful Vintage Round Dining Table is attributed to Theodore Alexander. All of the other pieces in the household where it came from were Theodore Alexander items and it had matching Theodore Alexander chairs...
Mahogany
Antique English Tavern Table
Located in New York, NY
The antique English mahogany tavern table, shown here, is beautiful in its simplicity and scale. Featuring delicately turned wood legs with ring detail, the table top and deep apron ...
Wood
Antique East Indian British Colonial Teak 6 Seat Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique East Indian British Colonial Teak 6 seat dining table This antique British colonial teak wood dining table seats up to 6 people. It has ...
Teak
Large Ethan Allen British Classics Dining Table W 2 Extensions
Located in Wilmington, DE
Large Ethan Allen British Classics 113 " dining table w 2 extensions. Offered is a beautiful dining table 113" with two table leaves. I...
Mahogany
McGuire Faux Bamboo Teak Wood Garden Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage outdoor round teak wood garden, porch or patio dining table made by McGuire. The table has faux bamboo style legs giving extra elegance and style. Pair the table with the 4 ...
Teak
British Colonial Style Wicker Pedestal Dining Table
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style wicker round dining table crafted in woven reed over a sturdy metal frame featuring a spiral woven top and a classic pedestal f...
Metal
Antique Anglo Indian Style Filipino Five Piece Dining Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique Anglo Indian style dining table composed of five pieces of furniture crafted in mahogany with floral bone inlays and...
Bone, Mahogany
Wicker Round Pedestal Dining Table from the Flores Collection
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style wicker round dining table crafted in woven reed over a sturdy metal frame featuring a spiral woven top and a classic pedestal form. From the Flores Collection...
Wicker, Reed
British Colonial Style Black Lacquer Dining Table or Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is great looking. This British Colonial style table purported to be Portuguese. It does have a black lacquer finish with wonderful carved legs. It is unmarked and in very good c...
Hardwood, Lacquer