British Colonial Rattan
1990s British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century British Colonial Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan, Teak
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Night Stands
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Night Stands
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1980s Philippine British Colonial Shelves
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
20th Century American British Colonial Table Lamps
Rattan
Vintage 1980s American British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Center Tables
Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1980s Philippine British Colonial Dressers
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Vintage 1980s Philippine British Colonial Dressers
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 2000s American British Colonial Desks
Rattan, Wood, Driftwood
20th Century Indonesian British Colonial Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Grasscloth, Rattan
Early 20th Century Burmese Bergere Chairs
Teak, Rattan
20th Century Thai Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century English British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Bookcases
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Burmese Lounge Chairs
Teak, Rattan
20th Century British Colonial Patio and Garden Furniture
Cane, Rattan, Wood
1990s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wool, Bamboo, Wood
Vintage 1970s American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Cotton, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Globes
Brass
20th Century Sri Lankan Benches
1990s Dressers
Brass
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Desks
Rattan, Wicker
20th Century American British Colonial Dry Bars
Rattan
20th Century Italian British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Philippine British Colonial Screens and Room Dividers
Rattan
Vintage 1960s Philippine British Colonial Chairs
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Chairs
Rattan
Early 2000s American British Colonial Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Philippine British Colonial Armchairs
Cane, Rattan
20th Century American British Colonial Serving Pieces
Cowhide, Rattan
Vintage 1970s Philippine British Colonial Wall Mirrors
Rattan
Early 20th Century French British Colonial Armchairs
Rattan, Reed
20th Century American British Colonial Tables
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Side Tables
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
Vintage 1960s Philippine British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Late 20th Century British Colonial Dressers
Rattan, Wood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1980s American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Burmese British Colonial Armchairs
Rattan, Teak
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Wall Mirrors
Grasscloth, Rattan
20th Century Asian British Colonial Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Wood
20th Century American British Colonial Armchairs
20th Century American British Colonial Chairs
20th Century American British Colonial Dining Room Chairs
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage 1960s Danish British Colonial Armchairs
Leather, Wicker, Rattan
Late 20th Century British Colonial Dry Bars
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century British Colonial Chairs
Cane, Walnut
20th Century French British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Side Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1960s Asian Anglo-Indian Benches
Rattan
20th Century American British Colonial Tables
Rattan
20th Century American British Colonial Chandeliers and Pendants
Bamboo, Wicker, 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.








