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
20 Th Century 3 Light Bouillotte Lamp Style Silvered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very popular design of Bouillotte lamp made of brass and finished in Hi-polished silver plate. Has 3 candelabra sockets. All new wiring and sockets. Ht of 22" and the base is 7 1/2...
Category
1990s North American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in East Hampton, NY
This piece just took our breath away - all the carved wood details and medallions are master craftsman quality. See all detail images to truly appreciate what an excellent antique pi...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
1 Large Mounted Sable Antelope Skull with Large Curved Ringed Horns / Antlers
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent, stunning African sable antelope with large curved ringed horns or antlers mounted on a wrought iron stand. The piece is mounted as a scul...
Category
20th Century African British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Silver Plated Mechanical Gun or Cannon Bottle Trolley Decanting Machine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well made mechanical gun carriage bottle trolley and pourer is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England in approximately 1890 in a British Colonial style. The carr...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Colonial Style Shell Queen Bed in Ebonized Finish
Located in Pasadena, CA
A queen sized 4-poster bed, in Jak wood with an ebonized finish. The bed features hand carved details overall, oversize tassel-style feet, a headboard ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Vintage Rose Chintz Egg Shaped Ceramic Trinket Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage rose chintz egg shaped ceramic trinket box with hinged lid.
This 20th century vintage ceramic egg (Trinket Box) stands on shaped legs, i...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture
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
Pair of Woven Reed Pillows
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of pillows handcrafted in woven reed in a herringbone pattern with discrete side zippers. Exclusively designed and offered by F. S. Henemader antiques ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
British Colonial Cane Stand or Sculptural Assemblage
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English antique cane or umbrella stand that crosses the line between art and function by assembling two Victorian black leather boots on a Chinese lacquer remnant with antique brass ...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather
18th Century Dutch Oak Tilt-Top End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Dutch oak tilt-top end table is an English design, and ideal for providing a convenient end table or lamp table, then with the top tilted it has the ability to tuck agai...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Oak
19th Century British Colonial Tea Plantation Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890
Rare Teak and leather lounge chair that was formerly used in a Tea Estate in India. Hand made with pull out leaves that transform into leg rests and can be tucked back ...
Category
1890s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Original Deck Chair from European Colonies in Africa, Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
It is an original piece, in the first part of the 20th century from the European colonies of Africa. It is foldable to move with garter as it happened with many colonial furniture, f...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
British Colonial Teak Slipper Chair With Leather Upholstery
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1920's
Hand carved Victorian Slipper chair constructed from Teak wood and re-upholstered in brown leather.
Category
1920s Indian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Teak
Armchair English Leather from, 19th Century Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
English club armchair, leather first half of the 20th century. Vintage.
Solid mahogany club chair, English. Classic upholstery which was upholstered with leather. Armrest partly a...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Historic Corner Commode from Around 1900, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the turn of the century. Very good condition, after professional renovation, chest of drawers finished in polytone.
...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Glass Hibiscus and Palm Leaf Serving Platter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large glass serving platter in the shape of a palm leaf with a Hibiscus flower at the stem. The top of the platter is smooth, and the underside i...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Anglo-Indian Rosewood Inlaid Tray Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique Anglo-Indian table crafted in rosewood with a removable service tray on top masterfully inlaid with delicate floral designs in copper and brass. The base has architecturally ...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial armchairs crafted with a sturdy metal frame ambitiously wrapped in reed with comfort and classic form set on turned wood feet. Exclusively designed and offered by F.S. Henemader Antiques from the FS Flores collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker
British Colonial Grass Cloth and Faux Bamboo Three-Tiered Cabinet and Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style three-tiered cabinet desk with a gallery at the top over three step down compartments covered with grass cloth and framed with faux bamboo. The upper and lower...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Antique Étagère or Server with Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
William IV English étagère or server, hand crafted in well grained mahogany having two shelves with turned and carved supports with a lower cabinet featuring a zinc lined wine cellar...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Needlepoint English Rug. Size: 7 ft 5 in x 9 ft 7 in
Located in New York, NY
Antique English Needlepoint, Country of Origin: England, Circa: 18th Century –Size: 7 ft 5 in x 9 ft 7 in (2.26 m x 2.92 m).
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Antique English Carved Wood Dolphin Stands or Pedestals
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of antique British Colonial stands with white marble tops, crafted in mahogany and expertly carved depicting the mythological dolphins as described by ancient sailors...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century campaign chest with seven drawers handcrafted in camphor wood and featuring a pullout desk with nooks, drawers and a leather writi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Paint
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 Furniture
Materials
Paper
Colonial 18th Century Vizagapatam Pen-Engraved Writing Desk with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Vizagapatam pen-engraved veneered sandalwood portable writing desk with silver mounts
India, Coromandel coast, Visakhapatnam, circa 1875
...
Category
18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Sandalwood, Bone
1830s Antique Indian Colonial Silver Jug
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Indian colonial silver jug made by Hamilton & Co; part of our dining silverware collection.
This magnificent antique Indian silver jug...
Category
1830s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
British Colonial Antique 1910 Sheffield England Oval Vanity Mirror Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Silver plate oval vanity mirror or table mirror with ornate pedestals circa 1910 Sheffield, England.
The back is made of solid wood.
Makers trade...
Category
1910s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
Beautiful Persian Floral Pattern Fine Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality Northwest Persian rug with a floral all-over design set on a tomato red field, accents in hot pink, gray and apricot, and a light blue border
Measures: 10'1” x 13'5”.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Stunning Silver Plated Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite pair of Stunning Silver Plated Table Lamps, a luxurious addition to any home décor. With their sleek silver finish and captivating curved bases, these lamps...
Category
1950s English Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal, Silver
19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 19th century Sri Lankan Trunk made of jakwood with ebony trim. Bright hardware and handles on squat feet.
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Colonial Rosewood Carved Hutch Linen Cabinet with Barley Twist Columns
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Uncompromisingly hand-crafted Colonial cabinet with barley twist columns and removable shelves Circa 1880-90. Constructed from solid Rosewood and sitting on bun feet framed by hand c...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Set of Four Hand Colored Humming Bird Prints
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are four framed hand colored humming bird species published in the early 20th century representing the original 19th century work of Scottish naturalist, Sir William Jardine. Pr...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Carved Stone Parrot on a Frosted Lucite Base
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Parrot sculpture hand carved from exotic semi-precious stones with brass feet and perched on a frosted Lucite base.
Category
20th Century Brazilian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Precious Stone
The Stick has CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. Crest on the Round Head
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. swagger stick.
The stick has CANFORD SCHOOL O.T.C. crest on the round head
The metal top appears to be a white metal overprinted to look like brass
The sti...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cane
Mother of Pearl French Colonial Vietnamese 2-Door Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
A solid rosewood cabinet with the front richly inlaid with mother of pearl depicting birds and a delicate floral motif. Made in Vietnam for the export market. The two doors open to r...
Category
20th Century Vietnamese British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Pair of Faux Alligator Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tall vases ingeniously crafted in cast composition depicting alligator hide with brass like highlights.
Category
20th Century North American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
Brass Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brass banana tree or palm tree sculpture with a custom burnished bronze like finish, removable leaves, a weighted base decorated with floral designs,...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Carved Arab Sculpture with Coffee and Pipe, Vienna, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A masterly carved wooden statue of an Arab drinking coffee and smoking his pipe. An antique shop window decoration from a coffee shop or a tobacco ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Folding Tripod Stools in Oakwood and Leather
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant pair of turned oak Campaign tripod stools with leather folding seats. England, 1930s.
These folding stools feature a turned oak's wood tripod foldable structure. They have a...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather, Oak
Large British Colonial 19th Century Ebony Sri Lankan Ceylonese Wall Bracket
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Sri Lankan ebony wall bracket by Don Andris Cabinet Makers, Colombo
Colombo, first half 19th century, stamped Don Andris, Cabinet Makers Colombo on shelf
The shelf suspended by three foliate motif carved rests and one plain rests to the wall.
Measures: H. 50.5 x W. 43 x D. 15.5 cm
Note:
According to J.W. Bennett in 1843 (in: Furniture from British India...
Category
Early 18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Antique Glass and Brass Pendant
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English pendant or bell jar light fixture with pressed floral designs on the brass hardware and a hand blown glass globe with cut cycles in fros...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
British Ceylon Style Specimen Round Tilt-Top Table , 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This British Colonial center table uses exotic wood veneers to create a spectacular spiral, fanning clockwise with contrasting exotic specimen woods ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Mahogany
Fine Double "C" Handled Quart Tulip Export Pewter Tankard Townsend & Compton
By Townsend & Compton
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine double "C" handled quart tulip export Pewter mug or tankard by Townsend & Compton, circa 1779-1806. Struck with makers (upside down) pseudo hallmarks, left of the handle and l...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Pewter
20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 20th century British Colonial solid ebony two-door display cabinet, from Sri Lanka.
Category
20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Ebony
Antique Tall British Colonial Console Table with Mirrored Skirt
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique English console table finished all around featuring a flame grained and crossbanded top over a distressed mirror and f...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Dos Gallos Studio Custom Walnut Desk or Dining Table with Wishbone Stretcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is our custom wishbone winery table that can be made in any size and with any finish, in a range of colors and distresses. This particular table was going to be used as a desk s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Pencil Reed Rattan Floor Vase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury floor vase crafted in pencil reed with a Classic form and warm lush finish.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Reed
Complete Set of Pink Cloth Napkins and Faux Bamboo Brass Place Setting Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Make hosting and entertaining easy, with a vintage British Colonial style place setting. Over a year in the making, we’ve sourced hundreds of table settings from all over the globe and paired our favorites in a set. (See our other listings for more beauties in an array of different colors, styles and place settings from 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16.)
This set features a faux bamboo brass charger from India. It does have a slight patina to it, which makes it look even more storied. We’ve had these custom cloth napkins created just for this set. We’ve brought over this fabulous pink block print fabric from India and created 4 16” x 16” cloth dinner napkins...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Jamaican Campeche / Planter Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant British Colonial 1810-1830 Campeche chair is made of solid mahogany and was known in Jamaica as a Spanish chair in the period. This West Indies Planter chair...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
British Colonial California King Shell Bed, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in Pasadena, CA
Our shell bed in Cal king size, made from African mahogany. Finished with brass hex caps on all bolt covers. Solid platform bottom. Made in our Los Angeles W...
Category
2010s American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Persian Bakhtiari Cypress Tree Runner with British Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53253, antique Persian Bakhtiari Cypress Tree Runner with British Colonial style. With a subdued appearance and cypress tree design in neutral hues, this hand knotted wool antique Pe...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Colonial Style Sideboard or Server
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique William IV style sideboard reminiscent of a West Indies British Colonial server or buffet crafted in indigenous mahogany with a gr...
Category
19th Century Antiguan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Sea Fan Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of sea fan sculptures crafted or dipped in silvered metal with amazing accuracy and presented on classic form lacquered stands. Signed Eduardo Garza...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Metal
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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