British Colonial Paintings
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
English Victorian Greyhound Dog Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian style gilt framed oil painting of brown and white greyhound dog.
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
Monumental 19th C., "The March of the Guards to Finchley" After William Hogarth
Located in Atlanta, GA
After William Hogarth (English, 1697-1764), originally done circa 1750 - this is likely done in the mid 1800's.
"The March of the Guards to Finchley, also known as The March to Finc...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Frederick Leo Hunter "Old New Bedford Whaler Andrew Hicks" C. 1929 Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
This remarkable oil painting, titled **"Old New Bedford Whaler – Andrew Hicks"**, is an exquisite maritime artwork that captures the spirit of 19th-century whaling. The painting, exe...
Category
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Oil Painting on Canvas of Parrots
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking oil painting on canvas of three parrots in a natural rain forest setting executed with hyper realism technique. Signed by noted American artist Andre Lange...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
Antique Set of Nine Framed Pen and Ink Navel Sailing Ships
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of nine antique drawings of American and English Navel Sailing ships executed in a pen and ink technique highlighted with watercolor, matted and presented in mahogany frames behi...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
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...
Category
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
English Country Horse and Carriages Photograph
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style walnut framed photograph of 19th Century genre scene of 2 horse and carriages (Companion Pieces: 052554B-E)
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Walnut
Late Nineteenth Early Twentieth Century painting on board by C. Wilson
Located in Winnetka, IL
A late Nineteenth early Twentieth century English Colonial painting on board by C. Wilson presented in a gilt wood frame. Depicting a group of men with top hats riding on a horse-dra...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
British Sailor's Woolwork or Woolie Lighthouse Seascape C. 1865
Located in Atlanta, GA
Measures:
28.5" w x 24.5" h (frame),
19" w x 15" h (image).
This intricately crafted 19th-century sailor’s woolwork embroidery, often referred to as a woolie, depicts a serene mari...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wool, Birdseye Maple
White Horse Animal Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of an animal portrait titled "White Horse" set in a classical landscape
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Late 20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
Hollone F. Nelly, Vintage Still Life Oil On Canvas "Breakfast W/ Flowers"
Located in Atlanta, GA
**Hollone F. Nelly, Vintage Still Life "Breakfast with Flowers," Oil on Canvas**
This vintage still life by Hollone F. Nelly, titled *"Breakfast with Flowers,"* captures a tranqui...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Vintage Impressionist Oil Painting of a Harbor Scene
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In the tradition of 1930s impressionist, here is a painting by H. A. Burnham of a harbor scene, displaying confident brushstrokes and a striking tropical palette. This oil painting c...
Category
20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
English Country Scene of Musicians
Located in Queens, NY
Walnut framed photograph of 19th Century genre scene of men drinking and playing musical instruments. (Companion Pieces: 052554B-E)
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Set of Six Moth Watercolors
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty set of six watercolors on paper depicting the surprising diverse beauty of moth species. Presented in wood frames, matted and under glass.
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint, Wood, Paper
Antique Caribbean Watercolor
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th century tropical West Indies watercolor on paper depicting a moment in
time on a quiet street complete with houses, palm trees, flowers and a
woman carrying a bundle on her he...
Category
Mid-19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint
Bahamian Street Scene Watercolor Painting by Hartwell Leon Woodcock
By Hartwell L. Woodcock
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Watercolor painting of a Bahamian street scene possibly in Nassau. Complete with a woman carrying a bundle, a man in a cart, palm trees, house, gates and warm peaceful ambiance. Sign...
Category
20th Century North American British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835B, 057835C, 057835D, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
Tropical Watercolor on Paper of a Jamaican Scene
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Watercolor painting on paper of a tropical scene with houses, palm trees, and figures executed in a lush pallet. Signed by American artist Margaret Morrish in 1956 at Port Antonio Ja...
Category
Mid-20th Century Jamaican British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Paper
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835C, 057835D, 057835E, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835B, 057835C, 057835D, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
Antique English Country Lady and Bicycle Photograph
Located in Queens, NY
Walnut framed photograph of 19th Century scene of lady kneeling next to bicycle (Companion Pieces: 052554B-E)
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Glass
English Country Man and Bicycle Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style walnut framed photograph portrait of 19th Century man standing next to bicycle
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Walnut
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835B, 057835C, 057835D, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835B, 057835C, 057835D, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835B, 057835C, 057835D, 057835E, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
Pair of Fanciful Paintings on Canvas of Monkeys
By Dan Poole
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical acrylic paintings on canvas, one depicting a monkey peeling a banana and the other of a monkey holding an ice cream soda and both are wearing Asian Style hats and lounging on leopard print...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Antique Watercolour Painting by Frank Dadd
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique watercolour painting by Frank Dadd, signed and dated 1914.
Frank Dadd was a well known and highly skilled artist, know...
Category
1910s British Vintage British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Retrato masculino en óleo sobre lienzo
Located in VALÈNCIA, ES
Retrato masculino Circa 1.890, en oleo sobre lienzo fijado en los laterales con tachas de la época. Firmado por V. Fuster.
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Canvas
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835B, 057835C, 057835E, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
English Country Brick House Acrylic Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style (20th Cent) acrylic on board painting, depicting a brick house, within faux wood and decorated frame. (7 Similar pieces: 057835A, 057835B, 057835D, 057835E, 057...
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Paintings
Materials
Wood
British Colonial paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial paintings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paintings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paint, paper and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial paintings made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Caribbean pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings, popular names associated with this style include Dan Poole, Francis Carr, and Hartwell L. Woodcock. 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 paintings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $23,000 while the average work can sell for $3,900.