British Colonial Seating
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.
Late 20th Century British Colonial Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Bamboo
20th Century British Colonial Seating
Upholstery
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating
Leather, Rattan, Wood
1960s British Vintage British Colonial Seating
Rush, Oak
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Seating
Satinwood
20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating
Cane, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating
Brass
1990s British Colonial Seating
Leather, Sheepskin
1890s Swedish Antique British Colonial Seating
Beech
1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Seating
Hide, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Seating
Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany
1990s Chinese British Colonial Seating
Wood
19th Century Antique British Colonial Seating
Wood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Indian British Colonial Seating
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American British Colonial Seating
Cane, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Seating
Cane, Wood
1910s Italian Vintage British Colonial Seating
Fabric, Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Seating
Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Seating
Cane, Teak
Mid-20th Century French British Colonial Seating
Leather, Wood, Calico
1970s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Seating
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Seating
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Faux Bamboo, Cane
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Seating
Cane, Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Colonial Seating
Cane, Teak
Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Seating
Rattan, Teak
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Seating
Maple
20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Seating
Cane, Teak
Late 20th Century British British Colonial Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Seating
Cane, Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Seating
Brass
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Seating
Cane, Wood
19th Century Scottish Antique British Colonial Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Seating
Cane, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish British Colonial Seating
Pine, Leather, Canvas
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Seating
Oak
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century British Colonial Seating
Teak
Early 20th Century British Colonial Seating
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Seating
Teak
20th Century American British Colonial Seating
Leather
Early 20th Century European British Colonial Seating
Cane, Teak
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Walnut
1970s American Vintage British Colonial Seating
Upholstery, Rattan, Paint
1930s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Seating
Linen, Bamboo, Cane
20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Canvas, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Central American British Colonial Seating
Teak
Early 20th Century British Colonial Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany