British Colonial Mahogany Furniture
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Victorian Decora...
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Indian British Colonial Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 1830s English British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Canvas, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Chaise Longues
Brass
Antique 19th Century Jamaican Sideboards
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Indian Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Caribbean Campaign Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Sofas
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 1820s Jamaican British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany, Poplar
Antique 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English British Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Virgin Islands British Colonial Game Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Colonial Tables
Ebony, Mahogany, Palmwood, Satin
Antique Early 19th Century Jamaican British Colonial Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Jamaican British Colonial Sideboards
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Shelves
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English British Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Tables
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood, Coconut, Palmwood, Cedar
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British Colonial Mahogany Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a British Colonial Mahogany Furniture?
A Close Look at British-colonial Furniture
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.