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British Colonial Furniture

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
Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base. Dimensions: 17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Handsome oversized tufted leather ottoman/trunk after Ralph Lauren
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome large oversized leather tufted library ottoman. The tufted ottoman features a beautiful olive green leather on the top and opens up ...
Category

1990s Chinese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Anglo Indian Carved Rosewood Console Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A mid 19th century beautiful and highly decorative British colonial rosewood console table supported by four profusely carved legs terminating into mythical animal faces at the table...
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th C. English Leather Coffee Table/Steamer Trunk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th Century steamer trunk that can be used as a coffee table, featuring original brass and copper hardware, with beautifully distressed leather in good condition. This piece is d...
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Copper

British Colonial Style Three Tiered Caned Stand or Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout English stand crafted in mahogany having one drawer over two caned lower tiers with turned and twisted supports over classic turned feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Bronze Safari-Themed End Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This side table features a heavy rounded glass top that sits upon an elaborately sculpted base. The base uses a palm tree to hold up the table's top, and two small elephant figures a...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass

King Size Teak & Caned Back Bed Frame by British Khaki
Located in Southampton, NY
King size teak & caned back bed frame by British Khaki British Colonial style design in teak and hand-caned headboard. Clean and classic style bed ...
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

19th C English Copper Lantern Sconce by Foster & Pullen
Located in New York, NY
Rare English copper lantern sconce by noted maker, Foster & Pullen. The lantern has hinged top, and hinged panel door to allow access to the bulb from either the top or the front. ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron

Antique Sherwood & Wedge British Nautical Maritime Brass Onion Ship Oil Lanterns
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two antique Sherwood & Wedge "onion" navigational lamps featuring a cylindrical brass base, pierced top and fluted chimney cap, rotating wire bail handle, and simple wire cag...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Teak Wood Glass-Front Wall Cabinet with Shelves and Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Teak wood wall cabinet with glass front and two interior glass shelves. Two lower cabinet drawers with iron flush-mount drawer pulls. Two hooks at the top to allow for hanging. Refinished. Colonial British. The Lockhart Collection is a personally curated gallery of antiques and fine jewelry, owned and operated by Deborah Lockhart Phillips. The antiques and vintage pieces encompass Nautical Artifacts...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped. Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan. Southern Heirlooms Eliza...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Six Ralph Lauren Mahogany Rattan Barrel Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of six barrel back form dining chairs or armchairs made in the British colonial style by Ralph Lauren Home. Known as Modern Sands collection chairs they feature a mahogany f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany

British Desk, British Lathe Legs
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
One of the rare and unique pieces in the selection, this English desk showcases a combination of antique and craftsmanship. With its aesthetic appearance and functional design, it st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Palecek French Regency Style Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine Palecek French Regency style center or pedestal dining table of faux bamboo & braided rope styling accented with leather joinery in excellent vintage condition. Table dimensi...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Glass, Wood

Rustic Antique Indian Architectural M-o-p Inlaid Teak Window
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful antique Indian architectural m-o-p inlaid carved teak window. India, late 19th / early 20th century, primitive hand-crafted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

Late 20th Century Colonial Regency Style Caned Mahogany Armchairs, Set of 4
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th, stylish and handsome mahogany arm chairs with scrolled backrest and arms, caned seat and back, on reeded legs ending in arrow feet, with metallic silver tone removable sea...
Category

Late 20th Century North American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around having a concave center drawer and two more on either side over a lower tier.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

Rare and Unusual Pierced Coconut Shell Table Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual handmade table lamp featuring thirteen carved and perforated coconut shells as shades, carved coconut leaves, hand wrapped string stems and a coconut base on a mahog...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Coconut

Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 20th century porcelain jungle-themed lidded jars by New York designer, John Derian. Elegant vases feature multiple jungle animals including elephants, tigers, monkeys and zeb...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage 80s McGuire Antalya Directors Style Dining or Occasional Chairs Rawhide
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Classic 1980s directors style McGuire dining or occasional armchairs with lattice style rawhide seats and backs. These rattan framed chairs with backrest and seat woven in ra...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hide, Rattan

Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover timeless elegance with this Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table. Featuring two faux candle stick lamp heads and a colonial wooden base, this piece serves both as a flo...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Taxidermie - Splendide cages aux Oiseaux - 14 perroquets et perruches
By Artistics
Located in TOULON, FR
Quatorze magnifiques oiseaux exotiques perchés à l'extérieur d'une grande cage ronde en métal. Hauteur totale : 1,57 m, largeur : 1 m. Amazone à front blanc, toui à lunettes, ara ble...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin, Bamboo

Set of Four Burnt Bamboo Tortoise Folding Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very good set of four British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Tortoise folding chairs. Well constructed and sturdy. An additional set of four is also available for purchase.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 20.5" W x 24.5" D x 15" Seat height.
Category

19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of British Colonial Style Floor Lamps with Zebra Hide
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British Colonial floor lamps with a Classic tapered form custom crafted in mahogany with exotic zebra hide panels all around. Available with linen or the original lambskin sh...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Zebra Hide

English Brass Umbrella and Canes Stand by Lombard England Brass Company
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1950's Brass Metal Umbrella and Canes Stand by Lombard England Brass The finishing touch for your well-appointed home, this vintage umbrella stand mak...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Newly Refinished Antique Drop-leaf Tiger Oak table with Faux Bamboo Legs
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Antique tiger oak drop-leaf table with 2 leaves on hinges that can be raised or lowered and small drawer. The use of tiger oak suggests a striking grain pattern with a wavy or mottle...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box
Located in Austin, TX
Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small spots where the paint has come off ...
Category

Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rupert Bevan Croft Barstool (in Customer's Own choice of Material/Leather)
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our Croft chair, the Croft Barstool was created to give the design versatility, allowing the sophistication of its finishes and bespoke upholstery to move seamlessly betw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Oak

Carved Mahogany and Caned Recamier or Daybed with Cushion
Located in Nantucket, MA
A mahogany and caned recamier or daybed with carving on both sides, a caned rolled end, and reeded legs. The caning is newly done and in a very tight wov...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Campeche Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Anglo-Indian plantation lounge chair and ottoman, made in the Grand British Colonial style. The chairs features large scrolled arms with caned seat and ottoman. The chairs have a des...
Category

20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style server or console crafted in bamboo with grasscloth panels on two tiers with a two drawer case and featuring Chinese chippendale motifs on the sides.
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

Italian colonial chair in bamboo wood and damask fabric, 1910s
Located in MIlano, IT
Colonial chair with wooden frame with round-section slats and bamboo upholstery, upholstered seat and back in their original damask fabric. 1910 ca. Good overall condition. Measures ...
Category

1910s Italian Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Wood

Set of Four Glass and Silver Plate Hurricane Candle Holders, Priced per Pair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style set of four hurricane candle holders with hand blown glass shades on silver plated metal stands with classic form.
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass

British Soldier's Woolwork or Woolie, 19h Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptional example of a 19th century British soldier's "Woolie" or woolwork that is signed "G.W. Whitby/India. The woolwork depicts the ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool, Glass, Wood

2 Antique 18th Century English Nicholson Girtin Engravings Woolwich Rippon 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of framed 18th century hand colored landscape engravings. One portraying Rippon – Plate 37 Engraved by J. Walker from an Original Drawing by F. Nicholson / Published August 1st ...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paper

British Colonial Carved and Cane Settee with Swan Neck Back and Scrolling Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
A British Colonial carved wooden settee with swan neck back and out-scrolling arms, cane seat and turned legs. This British Colonial carved wooden settee, originating from antique So...
Category

Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

18th Century pair of Indian Wood pillars
Located in PAU, FR
Wonderful pair of Indian columns from the XVIIIth century, the wood have a really nice patina, the tops are well sculpted. We could see the influence of the british colonial.
Category

18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Maitland Smith Faux Tortoise Bamboo Lacquered Two Door Cabinet, Circa 1980
Located in Rochester, NY
Maitland Smith faux bamboo tortoise finish bow front two door cabinet / splayed front legs / exotically decorated lacquered panels / black ...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare! Early Maitland Smith Custom English Brass Table Lamp Spears Motif
Located in Peoria, AZ
Gorgeous! Maitland Smith Custom Brass Speat Tripod Table Lamp Amazing British Colonial Style! This one of a kind Maitland Smith lamp is an iconic example of British Colonial Style...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Steel, Brass

19th C. Anglo Indian Regency Carved Mahogany & Padouk Sideboard / Credenza
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal Anglo Indian Regency Carved Mahogany & Padouk Sideboard / Credenza was handmade in the Nineteenth Century. The British Colonial Sideboard is hand carved solid mahogany an...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Padouk

British Colonial Solid Maple Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial or Early American extension harvest style dining table USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid maple, with turned legs. Measures: 72.5"W x 44"D x 30.25"H. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Maple

Extremely Rare Small Early 18th Century English Burled Yew Wood “Bureau Bookcase
Located in Middleburg, VA
Extremely Rare Small Early 18th Century English Burled Yew Wood “Bureau Bookcase”. A single door retaining the original beveled mirror enclosing adjustable shelves and three small dr...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

1850s Antique Framed Standard Bearer J. Gilbert Hand Colored Engraving Framed
Located in Dayton, OH
Framed mid 19th century hand colored engraving depicting a Cavalier / Musketeer holding s staff with flag. Titled "The Standard Bearer" by J. Gilbert "From the Exhibition of Old Wat...
Category

1850s Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paper

Baker Milling Road British Colonial Style Mahogany & Wrought Iron Side Tables -2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of modern British Colonial style mahogany and wrought iron side tables by the Milling Road division of Baker Furniture. They have clean lines which would work in a var...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

Bamboo and Cane British Colonial Style Dresser or Chest
Located in Bellport, NY
A tall bamboo and cane five-drawer dresser. All drawers pull out on metal rails for easy use. Handcrafted in Spain. Two small top drawers and three large drawers, good storage.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

19th Century Indian Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A charming teak tabletop vanity mirror with scrolled side supports, original arched top mirror frame and a drawer at the bottom. The mirror surface reveals the passage of time with a...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Rupert Bevan Croft Dining Chair (in Customer's Own choice of Material/Leather)
Located in London, GB
Our signature Croft Chair sits comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings, with its generous seat and elegant backrest. Legs and frame in solid oak with a Light, Mid, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Oak

Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books, 2000 Books in Brown And Red Available
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large collection of Scandinavian decorative antique library leather-bound books Please note that the pictures listed are a sample of the books available and not the exact 50 books available. We will send pictures of the actual books before shipping them out. An attractive collection of 2000 mid-size antique leather-bound books. This lot of books on literature from Sweden are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of varying rich, warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The books seated side-by-side measures 2,5 meters, approximate 8´2 foot run. This collection of antique Swedish books are ready to ship and take their place, handsomely adorning your bookcase or library shelves...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Paper

19th Century Royal Navy Oak Fire Bucket, with Plymouth Armorial Crest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Royal Navy Oak Fire Bucket, with Plymouth Armorial Crest This is a superb looking piece made in Oak and decorated with the Plymouth Armorial Crest, it was used as a wa...
Category

1870s Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Oak

Michelle Erickson Ceramics ‘MUGXIT’Delftware Portrait Mug of Meagan and Harry
Located in Hampton, VA
"Working in historic Tidewater, Virginia, for more than thirty years, Erickson has intensively studied the technology and history behind the ceramics used by the American colonists in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Her efforts have rewarded her with a toolkit of technical skills representing three hundred years of potting traditions and a loyal following of ceramic collectors familiar with Anglo-American decorative arts. She is a proficient chemist, working in a wide range of earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain bodies and glazes, and has successfully applied these skills to her diverse contemporary work." Excerpt from Michelle Erickson...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery, Delft

PAIR OF ROMANTIC PORTUGUESE CONSOLES 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF ROMANTIC PORTUGUESE CONSOLES 19th Century in mahogany wood, with carvings. Marble tops. Some little defects. Dim.: 86 x 97 x 50 cm good condition
Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A View of Cape Rouge, Quebec, Canada, Mazell after Capt. Hervey Smyth, c.1760s
Located in Savannah, GA
A View of Cape Rouge, or Carouge, on the Saint Lawrence River, north of Quebec. Engraving by Peter Mazell after a drawing by Captian Hervey Smyth, published c.1760's, London. T...
Category

1760s Canadian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century Indian Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An elegant teak tabletop vanity mirror. The combination of the turned supports, original mirror frame, and drawer create a harmonious blend of form and function.
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Glass

A Pair of Large Bronze Coloured Toleware Table Lamps
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large Bronze Coloured Toleware Table Lamps These Large Stunning Lamps have an Armorial Crest theme they have matching shades, both lamps and shades have a crackle glaze fi...
Category

1960s Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Tin

A Pair of Sri Lankan Teak and Cane Planters Chairs
Located in London, GB
Sri Lanka, circa 1920 A pair of 20th century Sri Lankan sling back planters chairs in the British colonial style, the frames in solid teakwood with a shell motives carved to the bac...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

Michelle Erickson Ceramics Delftware Mugs GOD BLES THE QVEEN, BOYES BEE MERRY
Located in Hampton, VA
Thrown tin glazed white stoneware with handpainted metallic oxide slip decoration. Michelle Erickson’s contemporary versions of a 17th century Engl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery, Delft

After Joseph Pitts, Parian Bust of F.A. Cox, 1854
Located in New York, NY
After Joseph Pitts (English, active 1830-1870), A Parian Ware Bust of F[rancis]. A[ugustus]. Cox (English, 1783 - 1853), signed "Jos.h Pitts, SC / London / 1854" to left side, and in...
Category

Mid-20th Century European British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble

British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's, and Ralph Lauren. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $3,161.

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