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.
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
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
$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
Very Rare Art Nouveau Gouache on Paper, Flowers, Van De Velde 1899
Located in Encino, CA
ART NOUVEAU France 1899 Very rare gouache depicting flowers in the full Art Nouveau spirit. Very close and typical to Henry Van De Velde Works H.25"1/2 x w.23"1/2 with mat H.20...
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
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
Late 18th–Early 19th Century Pencil Drawing of a Hunting Dog
Located in Knivsta, SE
Late 18th–Early 19th Century Pencil Drawing of a Hunting Dog A charming and finely observed pencil drawing depicting a hunting dog in an expressive, playful stance. Executed in the ...
Elm, Paper
19th C, Academy Student Drawing, Pencil on Paper
Located in Leuven , BE
Framed, signed and dated.
Paper
$595
H 9.88 in W 8.6 in D 0.1 in
"WD967" Abstract Work on Paper by M. P. Landis, Warehouse Drawing Series
Located in New York, NY
An energetic abstract work on paper by the artist M.P. Landis. The artist's abstract paintings and works on paper are the type that take form through the artist's layering of materia...
Paper
Northern Scotland: A 17th Century Hand-colored Map by Mercator
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a framed hand-colored 17th century map of Northern Scotland by Gerard Mercator entitled "Scotiae pars Septentrionalis", published in Amsterdam in 1636. It is a highly detailed map of the northern part of Scotland, with the northwest Highlands and the cities Inverness and Aberdeen, as well as the Orkney Islands and the Hebrides. There is a decorative title cartouche in the upper left corner. The map is presented in an antiqued brown wood...
Paper
$500
H 8.5 in W 9.63 in D 0.1 in
Abstract Work on Paper by M. P. Landis, from Warehouse Drawing Series
Located in New York, NY
A richly-hued abstract work on paper by the artist M.P. Landis. The artist's abstract paintings and works on paper are the type that take form through the artist's layering of materi...
Paper
$150
H 9.75 in W 8 in D 0.5 in
Pencil Drawing of a Collie Dog on Paper and Framed in Wood Frame Signed - 1940
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A framed drawing of a dog on paper. This piece depicts the bust of a Collie in brown pencil. The piece is on brown or yellow paper and framed in the original wood frame with glass. T...
Wood, Paper
19th Century Framed Drawing of Venice
Located in Vista, CA
19th century framed sepia toned drawing with some watercolor of a Venice scene of gondolas in the river and houses surrounding. Appears unsigned. G...
Giltwood, Glass, Wood
$595
H 8.6 in W 10 in D 0.1 in
"WD992" Abstract Work on Paper by M. P. Landis, Warehouse Drawing Series
By MP Landis
Located in New York, NY
An energetic, richly hued abstract work on paper by the artist M.P. Landis. The artist's abstract paintings and works on paper are the type that take form through the artist's layeri...
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