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.
Framed 17th Century Map of Cumberland, England by John Speed, 1610
By John Speed
Located in Middleburg, VA
A fascinating and richly detailed antique map of Cumberland County in northwest England, drawn and published by the celebrated English cartographer John Spe...
Copper, Gold Leaf
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 ...
Glass, Oak, Paper
Rare Folky Watercolor Drawings on Paper by L.J. Harboe, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are four rare and historically important watercolor drawings on paper of St. Croix. Painted in a topographical style by L.J.Harboe, effectively transporting us to a time and pla...
Paint
$1,175
H 35 in W 30.5 in D 2 in
Large 17th Century Hand Colored Map of England and the British Isles by de Wit
Located in Alamo, CA
A large hand colored 17th century map of England and the British Isles by Frederick de Wit entitled "Accuratissima Angliæ Regni et Walliæ Principatus", published in Amsterdam in 1680. It is a highly detailed map of England, Scotland, the Scottish Isles...
Paper
20th Century Signed Still Life Pencil Drawing
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, evocative Pencil Drawing Still Life with Flowers and Butterfly Early 20th century Signed at lower right The painting is embellished by a beautiful nineteenth-century la...
Wood, Paper
19th Century Horse Study — Pencil Drawing - Framed - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Dessin d'étude de cheval du XIXᵉ siècle, réalisée au crayon. Le rendu est fin et précis en ce qui concerne le dessin du cheval, tant sur le plan anatomique que dans la capture de l’a...
Paper, Crayon
$1,190
H 16.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.99 in
Antique Caernarvon Map, Framed Cartography, Welsh County, John Speed, Circa 1610
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Caernarvon map. An English, framed engraving of the historic Welsh county, dating to the 17th century and later, circa 1610. Superb cartography reproduction of C...
Glass, Paper
Framed Mexican Watercolor on Paper Attributed to Rufino Tamayo
Located in Atlanta, GA
A framed watercolor and gouache on paper depicting sliced watermelon on a color block background, signed Tamayo and dated 1945 as shown. The work was in keeping with the style of Rufino Tamayo and it retains a paper label from Salon de la Plastica Mexicana, listing the detail info. SPM was formed in 1949 to promote contemporary Mexican artists...
Paper
Early 19th Century Original Framed Land Indenture, England, 1810
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A large hand written land indenture document England, 1810, framed. The beautifully hand written document mounted on board with a red velvet border and ...
Glass, Giltwood, Parchment Paper
$721
H 29.53 in W 22.45 in D 1.97 in
Unknown Academy Student 19th C Drawing, Pencil on Paper, Framed, Signed
Located in Leuven , BE
Unknown academy student 19th C drawing, pencil on paper, Framed, Signed.
Paper
$1,190
H 17.33 in W 18.9 in D 0.4 in
Antique Devon County Map, English, Framed 17th Century Atlas Cartography, C.1650
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Devon county map. An English, framed atlas engraving of Devonshire, dating to the 17th century and later, circa 1650. A fascinating and highly decorative cartograp...
Glass, Paper
Set of Two 19th Century French Hand-Colored Regional Maps
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These historical regional maps depict the “Dépt de la Moselle" (Department of Moselle) and the Departement de Gard in France. Both pieces date back to the 19th Century, given their s...
Wood, Paper
$695
H 10.5 in W 12.25 in D 0.25 in
Kathleen Jessica O’Leary Pencil Drawing of Black Duck, 1980 - 19th C Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
A naturalistic pencil study of a black duck, drawn with delicate tonal gradation and subtle contouring that captures the sleek plumage, waterline buoyancy, and quiet alertness of the...
Giltwood, Paper
Ciro Ferri Drawing Offering Scene Italie 17th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Italian lead pencil drawing, entourage of Ciro Ferri, depicting an offering scene in front of a temple, in the manner of the antiquity. Measurements: 7.8/5.9 inches ...
Paper
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.75 in W 10.75 in D 1 in
Moutaineous Landscape Drawing, Neoclassical, Signed, 19th Century
By Langlace
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Moutaineous Landscape with Bridge over a River Signed lower right by Jean-Baptiste Gabriel Langlace (1786-1864) Brown wash on paper.
Paper
Pair of Early Topographical Drawings of Jamaica
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing pair of drawings on paper with historical significance, both depicting 19th century scenes from the Hyde Hall plantation which is still standing and currently a tourist de...
Reverse Drawing of Moorish Architecture by Cathy Wiggs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bold image of Moorish architecture executed with a unique technique, a reverse drawing on a sheet of Mylar or plastic. The effect is quite alluring and very much in the manor of the ...
Plastic, Mylar