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 Stacking Tables in Burnt Bamboo, Antique Design, Unique Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage set of three burnt bamboo stacking tables / stands. The largest measures 12.50" by 14" by 10.25" high. The middle one measures 10.25" by 12" by 9.25" high. The smallest measu...
Bamboo
Pair of Hand-Painted Tropical Parrot and Jungle Nesting Tables
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Charming pair of vintage nesting tables featuring vibrant hand-painted tropical jungle scenes with colorful parrots, lush oversized foliage, exotic flowers, and rich shades of emeral...
Wood
$1,819Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 28.75 in D 11.82 in
Fine Set of Five Lacquered and Hand Painted Nesting Tables, Japan, 1920
Located in Brussels, BE
A chinoiserie corner cabinet formed by five small tables and hand painted details. Japan around 1920.
Wood
$1,364 / set
H 19.49 in W 21.66 in D 13.78 in
Set of Three Hand-Crafted Nesting Tables in Travertine, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Set of Three Hand-Crafted Nesting Tables in Travertine, 1970s Beautiful set of three elegant nesting tables of three different sizes in order to be put one below the other. Hand-Cra...
Travertine
$1,244 / set
H 20.48 in W 22.05 in D 15.95 in
Mid-Century Modern Design Nesting Tables by G-Plan 1960 Teak Stacking Tables
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous set of Mid-Century Modern design nesting tables in teak by G-Plan 1960. The 3 tables slide underneath each other allowing them to be taken out when needed swiftly. Very Pr...
Teak
Bamboo Nesting Tables
Located in Asheville, NC
Late 20th century, Tommy Bahama style set of three nesting tables fit inside each other. Wrought iron bases, attached burnt bamboo tray tops.
Wrought Iron
Pair Of Nesting Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Located in NY.
Metal, Iron
English Painted Nesting Tables with Découpage
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Three wooden nesting tables have been recently updated with new paint of ebonized effect and pasted découpage fish. These illustrations glow with a gilded luster against the satin b...
Wood, Paint, Paper
Set of 3 Nesting Tables
Located in Annville, PA
The Set of 3 Nesting Tables from Niagara Furniture features three tables, all with attractive inlaid mahogany tops. Supported on hand carved, solid mahogany legs which are turned to ...
Mahogany
$285 / set
H 15 in Dm 13.5 in
Boho Bamboo Rattan Staggered Nesting Stacking Tables or Plant Stands, Set of 3
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Charming set of staggered size side tables or plant stands. Table dimensions small to large: 13.5”dia 15”h 11.5”dia 14”h 9”dia 12”h
Bamboo
$1,648
H 20.48 in W 21.66 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Set of 3 Danish Oak Stacking Tables, 1970s, Style of Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A set of three Danish oak nesting tables from the 1970s, designed to slide neatly beneath one another when not in use. Crafted from solid oak, each table features decorative ceramic ...
Ceramic, Oak
Milo Baughman Style Chrome Glass Stacking/Nesting Side Tables
Located in Westport, CT
Milo Baughman style chrome glass stacking/nesting side tables, versatile design, great for serving and cluster tables.
Chrome
$1,250 / set
H 21 in W 23.5 in D 15.5 in
Antique Oakwood Set of 3 Nesting Tables Turned Legs, Stacking Tables, France
Located in Miami, FL
French antique oakwood set of three nesting tables, stacking tables with turned legs from the 1950s. Size of each table: 15.5 D x 23.5 L x 21 inches H. 13.0 D x 18.25 L x 17.5 inc...
Oak
$1,850 / set
H 27 in W 22.5 in D 16.5 in
Antique Set of Three English Colonial Burnt Bamboo Stackable Tables
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-465 Set of English Colonial burnt bamboo tables Measures: 16.5 x 22.5 x 27" 14.5 x 18.5 x 22" 13 x 15 x 17".
Bamboo
$1,250 / set
H 18 in W 17.63 in D 11.75 in
Pair of Lucite Waterfall Nesting Tables / Stacking Tables, Stools, Set of 3
By Charles Hollis Jones, Plastic Fantastic
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern handcrafted waterfall Nesting Tables, Stacking Tables, Stools. Set of 3 made in the USA. Very good condition and ...
Lucite
$454Sale Price / set|33% Off
H 17.33 in W 18.51 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Nesting Tables 1960 Denmark Teak Wood
Located in Wien, Au
Pair of Nesting Tables 1960 Denmark teak wood
Teak
$1,125Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 18.12 in W 20.87 in D 15.36 in
Set of 3 Maison Bagues Bamboo Style Nesting Tables
Located in Munich, DE
Silver plated metal in the shape of bamboo.
Metal
Mid-20th Century Coastal Burnt Bamboo Stacking Tables-Set of Three
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
classic mid-century Coastal Regency trio, this set of burnt bamboo stacking tables brings warmth, texture, and those iconic speckled Old-Florida tones. Fully refinished with a fresh...
Bamboo
British Colonial Style Nest of Faux Bamboo Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style nest of three tables with faux burnt bamboo frames wrapped with reed and grasscloth panels at the top. Largest to smallest: H: 22.5 W: 22 D: 16.5 H: 20 ...
Bamboo
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.
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Reed
Faux Tortoise and Wicker Nest of Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Nest of three tables with faux tortoise wood and bent wood faux bamboo frames wrapped with reed at the joints and grass cloth tops on all three. Measures: Largest to smallest: ...
Grasscloth