British Colonial Rattan
Mid-20th Century Unknown Organic Modern Desks
Rattan, Plywood
Vintage 1980s American Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Hardwood
Early 20th Century British Colonial Cabinets
Rattan, Wood, Plywood
20th Century British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century European British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Willow
Late 20th Century British Colonial Cabinets
Rattan
Antique Early 1900s Indian British Colonial Chairs
Rattan, Teak
Antique Late 19th Century British British Colonial Stools
Teak
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
20th Century British Colonial Wall Mirrors
Copper
Vintage 1940s American British Colonial Bed Coronas
Bamboo
Early 20th Century British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Teak
Late 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
Vintage 1980s Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
20th Century British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Cane, Rattan, Wood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood
20th Century American British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Antique Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Regency Armchairs
Rattan, Ebony
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Magazine Racks and Stands
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Faux Bamboo
20th Century British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wicker, Rattan
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1970s American British Colonial Dressers
Rattan
20th Century American British Colonial Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan
Vintage 1950s American British Colonial Armchairs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Stools
Wood, Rattan
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Shelves
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Taiwanese British Colonial Stools
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Unknown British Colonial Screens and Room Dividers
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Metal
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Side Tables
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
Mid-20th Century British British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Settees
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan, Smoked Glass
20th Century Italian British Colonial Vases
Reed
Vintage 1970s Unknown British Colonial Card Tables and Tea Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Vintage 1970s Philippine British Colonial Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Mid-20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs
Wool
20th Century American British Colonial Toys
Wicker, Rattan, Paint
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Desks
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Armchairs
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Rattan
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Console Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century French British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Vintage 1930s English British Colonial Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Serving Pieces
Rattan
20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Baskets
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks
Brass
Vintage 1930s Burmese British Colonial Armchairs
Teak, Rattan
Vintage 1980s American British Colonial Dressers
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood
1990s Unknown British Colonial Dressers
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
1990s Philippine British Colonial Side Tables
Metal
Vintage 1970s American British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Rattan
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British Colonial Rattan For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a British Colonial Rattan?
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.








