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
Baker Furniture English Barley Twist Oak, Brass, and Glass Cocktail Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous English barley twist coffee or cocktail table
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1960s
Oak, brass and glass
Measures: 43.5" W x 4...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Three Drawer Bamboo and Wicker Console
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Console is in very good condition. Can work in any decor.
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Brass Elephant Head on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout Anglo Indian cast brass elephant head sculpture presented on a turned brass stand. Hand polished and lacquered for easy care.
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
British Arts & Crafts Minton Tile Plateau
Located in New York, NY
British Arts & Crafts Minton tile plateau, rectangular with a carved egg-and-dart modeled frame on bun feet, centering three turquoise and green-glazed flo...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
British Colonial Teak Wood Display Counter
Located in Chicago, IL
This teak wood display counter was once found in a retail store in Rangoon, Burma. It dates to the early 20th century, c. 1910. During the colonial era, business boomed throughout w...
Category
20th Century Burmese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Teak
Pair of English 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze Brig - Tall Ship Marine Lanterns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of English 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze 'Brig - Tall-Ship' Marine Lanterns with Putti Corner Caryatids. The single-light tapered square cast-bronze body surmounted with alleg...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Colonial Walnut Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table w/ Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century American Colonial walnut drop leaf breakfast dining table with drawer. Item features remarkable authentic patina, turn carved legs, drop leaf sides, solid wood c...
Category
19th Century North American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Old English Silver Plate over Nickel Ornate Rectangular Serving Tray Handles
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial style old English silver plate over nickel rectangular serving tray, platter with ornate border.
It is in original vintage condition and has some stains and is tarn...
Category
1940s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Nickel
Antique English Two Piece Walnut Buffet Storage Cabinet or Book Shelf
Located in Seattle, WA
Antique English Two Piece Walnut Buffet Storage Cabinet or Book Shelf.
Category
1820s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique 1755 Copperplate Engraving Westminster Bridge Lambeth Survey of London
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand colored riverscape / landscape copperplate engraving based on a painting by Jacob Maurer and engraved by Paul Fourdrinier - A View of Westminster Bridge from Lambeth, published according to Act of Parliament 1754 for Stowe’s Survey of London. BIO: Paul Fourdrinier sometimes referred to as Peter or Pierre Fourdrinier, was an 18th Century engraver in England. Paul Fourdrinier, engraver and printseller, was born on 20 December 1698 in Groningen in the Netherlands, the son of Jacques Fourdrinier and his wife, Jeanne Theroude, Huguenot refugees from Dieppe, Normandy. He was a pupil of Bernard Picart at Amsterdam for six years, and came to England in 1720. He was employed in engraving portraits and book illustrations. He also engraved two works by Peter Monamy, marine paintings displayed in Vauxhall Gardens. The engravings were published in 1743, but may have been executed earlier. Starting in 1742 Fourdrinier produced a series of books consisting of numerous folding charts showing "The Succession of Colonels to all his Majesties Land Forces from their Rise to 1742", as well as many other details of British military and naval personnel. The 2004 edition of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography makes it clear that in the 19th century edition of the Dictionary of National Biography this engraver's works and career were assigned to two individuals, Peter (or Pierre) and Paul Fourdrinier. Peter/Pierre is now seen to be a fictitious individual resulting from an accidental misnaming of Paul. Paul Fourdrinier is mentioned as the engraver of some of the works listed above, and he has been identified with the Paul Fourdrinier who was of the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, married to Susanna Grolleau, and who died in January or February 1758. The couple had at least five children, including a son Henry Fourdrinier, whose daughter, or granddaughter, Jemima Fourdrinier was the mother of Cardinal John Henry Newman...
Category
Mid-18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Figural Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of English table lamps crafted in silver plate over cast brass depicting a camel and an elephant under palm trees on terra firma bases.
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Pair of Apple Green Unusual Velvet Pillows
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
These cushions were made by a famous Swiss workshop (whose name I don't remember), with a beautiful green velvet.
Size are cm. 40 x 40 (padding) with a 12 cm. band all around.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Baker Furniture 18th Century Flemish Style Mahogany Triple Dresser, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous 18th century Flemish reproduction chest of drawers, dresser, or buffet server
By Baker Furniture
USA, mid-20th century
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
West Indies Carved and Caned Daybed or Chaise Lounge
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial daybed, most likely Barbadian crafted in mahogany with a graceful form, floral carvings, handmade construction, caned seat, back and side, and turned legs with brass...
Category
19th Century Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of mid century inspired armchairs crafted in wicker or reed ambitiously woven over a sturdy metal frame. One of many new designs from the FS Flores Collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
Novelty Royal Navy Purser’s Ceramic Grog Mug
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Novelty Royal Navy Purser’s Ceramic Grog Mug
A Great looking piece in very good condition
The Mug is 3.5” high and 3.5” in diameter
TAC227.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Hanging Wicker Monkey after Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Torres
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small hanging wicker monkey holding a grouping of leaves. This cute brown monkey is created from wicker and features arms and legs which are bent so t...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Paint
Antique British Colonial 1830s Caned Oak Reclining Mechanical Dental Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Englishman James Snell of London made the first mechanical dental chair with an adjustable seat and back for doctors to examine their patients more efficiently. This exquisite exampl...
Category
1830s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane, Oak
Old English Silver Plate Ornate Rectangular Footed Serving Tray with Handles.
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial style old English silver plate rectangular serving tray, platter with ornate handles. Scroll embossed in the Center.
It is in original vintage condition and has som...
Category
1950s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Nickel
18th Century Antique High Back Curved English Pine Pub Settle Hall Storage Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
18th century antique high back curved English pine wood pub sette hall storage bench. Item features tall curved form, remarkable patina, 3 lift off storage seats...
Category
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
British Colonial Tradewinds Rattan & Copper Grandfathers Clock Bonnet Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial tradewinds Rattan & copper Grandfathers clock Bonnet mirror
Modeled after the bonnet of a tall case clock, with turned hardwood finials, applied engraved copper fretwork...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Copper
Antique English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of Schottenstein Stores Corp. The Schottenstein family...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver
British Colonial West Indies Server or Writing Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting 19th century British Colonial West Indian writing table or server crafted in mahogany with gallery at the top, two drawers with cast brass hardware, and turned legs.
Category
Early 19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
British Colonial Rosewood Chest of Drawers w/ Egg-n-Dart Trim, Early 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
A British Colonial rosewood chest of drawers from the early 20th century. This antique chest from India is made of rosewood, giving it a beautifully ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique English Pewter Plate
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pewter plate made in England by unknown manufacturer.
An good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful p...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique English Axminster Rug. 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Antique English Axminster Rug, Country of Origin: England, Circa date: 1900. Size: 14 ft 10 in x 20 ft 3 in (4.52 m x 6.17 m)
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique English Gaming Wheel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting antique English gaming wheel crafted in pine darkened by aged shellac with leather stopper and decoupaged numbers 1 through 30 and se...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
Anglo Indian Bronze Serving Bowl on a Palm Tree Stand with Camel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style cast bronze fruit or serving bowl on a palm tree stand over a camel on a faux terra firma base.
Category
Late 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bronze
British Colonial Style Leather Top Desk
By Kittinger
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Leather Top Desk. Five drawer desk crafted in mahogany with a classic form, three tooled brown leather panels on a top with a beaded edge, exotic burled cuts o...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Hand Painted Porcelain Parrot Vases
By John Derian
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual rectangular porcelain flower vases decorated on both sides with hand painted tropical colored varying parrot species. The opening on the tops is divided into three sections f...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century King Size Mahogany Jamaican Double Waterfall Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant Caribbean mahogany bed was constructed in the 19th century in Jamaica. This Rare West Indies Bedstead exhibits a scarce and desirable hand carved iconic Jamaican Double Waterfall headboard which resonates with the four solid mahogany turned and reeded bedpost. This exceptionally carved bed with grand scale makes it a decorative work of art. This Remarkable Jamaican mahogany four poster bed has been converted to a king size bed for modern use by David Skinner...
Category
19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Poplar
Pair of Thai Rosewood Elephant Howdah Saddle Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of elephant saddle style chairs crafted with rosewood in a distinctive Thai form, hand carved depicting elephants, which are a symbol of fortune, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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 Furniture
Materials
Paint
Square Two-Tiered Coffee Table with Caning
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic Baker, two-tiered coffee or cocktail table with a sleek black lacquer frame, walnut top, and a caned lower plateau that adds a British Colonial influence.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Pair of British Colonial Two Light Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique English wall sconces crafted in metal with a worn silver plate finish over a classic form having a crown, graceful looping ...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
Persian Shiraz Gallery Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Persian Shiraz Gallery size rug
Measures: 4'11'' x 11'8''.
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique 19th C Hand Painted Distressed Wood Blanket Chest Dovetail Trunk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century hand painted distressed wood blanket chest dovetail trunk. Item features dovetail construction, cast iron hardware, hand painted interior lid, solid wood constru...
Category
19th Century German Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
2 Vanity Fair Pictures Military Uniforms by Reginald Augustus Wymer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
2 vanity fair pictures military Uniforms by Reginald Augustus Wymer (1849-1935)
The pictures are framed and have signatures, they are in nice conditi...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Lovely Pair of Bright Red Wool Rugs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A lovely pair of bright red wool rugs
The carpets haves a wonderful bright colour with an attractive pattern and a wide border, they are both 1n good a...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Faux Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Stands or Side Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British colonial style tables with round black grasscloth tops framed with burnt bamboo on three legged metal bases wrapped in reed and deco...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
18th C. English Pine Curtis & Horspool London Act of Parliament Tavern Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
"18th century monumental museum quality Act of Parlament clock. Made from pine with a large round face over elongated case. Features an enameled metal face marked Curis Horspool in Leicester, London England. Curis was the royal watchmaker of the Prince of Wales.
As a result of an Act passed by the English Parliament in 1797 tavern clocks were hung in every pub and tavern throughout the British Isles. The Act declared that a tax would be collected on every clock in the realm.
As a result many private clock owners either hid their clocks or got rid of them altogether. Thus taverns and pubs became the preferred location for obtaining the correct time. The Tavern owners did not mind paying the tax because the towns people had to stop by if they wanted to find out what time it was. This resulted in more people eating and drinking at the Tavern.
An ""Act of Parliament clock...
Category
18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Burmese Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
A four-drawer chest in teak wood from old Burma, now Myanmar. Early 20th Century, circa 1925.
Dark finish. Two small drawers, two large. Original brass handles.
Category
1920s Burmese Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
British Colonial X-Design Display Cabinet Reproduction
Located in Pasadena, CA
Cabinet, Display X-Design w/2 Glass Doors Repro
A handsome reproduction piece of a British Colonial rosewood X-design display cabinet. The cabinet features intricately carved deta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Luggage Crocodile Skin Leather Suitcase, Colonial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique suitcase made of crocodile leather handstitched with leather lacing and secured with tacks, an attractive antique reptile skin suitcase with a...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
British Colonial Antique 1910 Cheltenham Silver Coffee Service Sheffield England
Located in Miami, FL
1910 English silver coffee service by Cheltenham & Company, Ltd. Sheffield, England.
All 4 pieces have the same maker's marks on the bottoms complete with the engraved unicorn design...
Category
1910s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of Mid-Century Palm Tree Decorative Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In vogue pair of mid-century stylized palm tree sculptures crafted in cast fiberglass. Painted in an off white finish and presented in faux planters filled with seashells.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass
Beautiful Persian Bakhtiari Gallery Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th century Persian Bakhtiari Gallery size rug
Measures: 5'8'' x 11'4''.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
1800s Georgian Solid Mahogany Accent Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique solid mahogany occasional table with waved legs and unique top shape.
We noticed that a leg has been repaired at some point, but apparently not noticeable to our opinion.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century British Ceylonese Handblown Etched ‘Glow Lamp’ Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century British Ceylonese handblown etched ‘Glow Lamp’ bell jar lantern. These lanterns were handblown in Sri Lanka for the British expats. They were re...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Anglo-Indian Teak Plantation Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Indoor or outdoor British Colonial teak plantation or planters chair with cane seat and back. Wonderful weathered wood patina.
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Schumacher Adele Floral Wallpaper in Blackwork
By Schumacher, Vogue
Located in New York, NY
Adele is a youthful take on a traditional rose. Inspired by a 1930s illustration in the Vogue archive, this screen-printed wallpaper captures the or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Mid-Century Faux Bamboo British Colonial Style Nests of Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of British colonial style nests of tables or stands each with faux bamboo frames wrapped with reed and grass cloth panels on the table tops.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Reed
Jamaica Regency Sideboard, 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean solid mahogany with satinwood inlay vernacular sideboard is made in Jamaica, circa 1820-1840. It is one of the Rare Jamaican Regency Si...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Mahogany
Three Antique Hand Colored Engravings of Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three 18th century hand colored engravings of parrot specimens as depicted by Peter Brown, an artist and naturalist, working in London England. Originally published in 1776 in a foli...
Category
18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century Ebonized Jackwood British Colonial Box on Stand from British Ceylon
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century ebonized jackwood British Colonial box on stand from British Ceylon (Modern day Sri Lanka). Two part box on Stand is made of Jackwood with eb...
Category
19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large 19C Rustic Indian Carved Wood Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Large and impressive, this plank table top is made with unusual curved wood pieces. Table is supported by six turned legs and iron braces with intricate carved decoration on the apro...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Cast Iron Firedog Andirons of Soldiers Val D´Osne, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of 19th century French firedogs or andirons in cast iron stamped Val d´Osne. The andirons appear in their unbeatable old patina making the "Zoauve" soldier and the "Grenadier" soldier formed figures fabulously attractive. The foundry of Val d´Osne grounded in 1836 by Jean-Pierre-Victor André, is the maker of the Crystal Palace in London, build for the 1851 Great Exhibition...
Category
19th Century French Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Faux Burnt Bamboo Stands or Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of stands or tables with faux burnt bamboo frames, grasscloth panels, drawers that open both ways, and magazine storage space below.
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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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