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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
Antique Mahogany Sideboard Buffet British Colonial
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique carved mahogany wood side board buffet , two tiered shelving with two upper drawers. Top decorated with bevel mirrored glass condole.
Category

Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Specimen Occasional table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A smart early 19th Century Ceylonese ebony occasional table. The specimen inlaid hexagonal top centred by a swirl of exotic woods including palm, satinwood, coromandel and palisander...
Category

Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Sandalwood, Satinwood

British Colonial Style Coffee Table with Inset Bronze, Christie s Auction Label
Located in Miami, FL
British Colonial Style coffee table with inset bronze. Christie's auction label. Offered for sale is a British Colonial-style coffee table with an inset bronze grate...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Faux Bamboo and Cane Dresser, British Colonial Style
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous faux bamboo, cane, and wicker chest or dresser. Unique dimensions allow for a variety of uses A pair of split drawers sit above 3 spacious drawers. The "frame" of the cas...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Antique British Colonial Three Tiered Stand or Etagere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome English 19th century stand, crafted in mahogany having three tiers with turned finials at the top, on classic turned supports and brass casters.
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Armchairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of British Colonial Deco Period Armchairs. Made of teak in the British East Indies
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of vintage British colonial stands crafted with faux bamboo wood frames having hexagon tops with grasscloth panels on the tops, skirts and lower tiers set on turned feet.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Super King Bed Frame in Faux Tortoise
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style super king bed with faux bamboo faux tortoise posts, borders, and applied geometric designs over a grasscloth background. Complet...
Category

20th Century North American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large 19th century Burmese colonial haberdashery cabinet circa 1880. Here we offer a fine example of where English regency style furniture...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Vintage British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Dresser or Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome mid century British colonial style double dresser crafted with a faux bamboo frame having a chic faux tortoise finish and grasscloth panels all around with applied faux bamb...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo

Ralph Lauren British Colonial Carved Mahogany Sideboard Buffet or Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial, American Classical, or Victorian style carved mahogany sideboard, buffet server, or console table By Ralph Lauren Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 6...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Ralph Lauren Home Tufted Leather Chaise
Located in Hartville, OH
Extraordinary Vintage Find. This spectacular example came to us having been well loved by a 4 legged family member. After years of daily enjoyment and much to our disappointment, the...
Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books, 2000 Books in Brown And Red Available
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large collection of Scandinavian decorative antique library leather-bound books Please note that the pictures listed are a sample of the books available and not the exact 50 books available. We will send pictures of the actual books before shipping them out. An attractive collection of 2000 mid-size antique leather-bound books. This lot of books on literature from Sweden are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of varying rich, warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The books seated side-by-side measures 2,5 meters, approximate 8´2 foot run. This collection of antique Swedish books are ready to ship and take their place, handsomely adorning your bookcase or library shelves...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Paper

English Victorian Brass and Wood Cane
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian wood cane with brass ball top and diamond hole design.
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Zabihi Collection Room SizeAntique Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
An authentic room size full pile antique Persian Sarouk rug. Measures: 7'10'' x 11'9''.
Category

1920s Persian Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Colonial Sri Lankan Satinwood Garden Chair
Located in Southampton, NY
Hand-turned garden chair made of solid satinwood, Colonial, Sri Lanka, circa 1900. Hand-caned seat and back. Came from a British Military family in Sri Lanka. 40.25" overall height ...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Satinwood

Pair of British Colonial Style Carved Caned Plantation Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of hand-carved plantation chairs crafted in the British colonial taste. The chairs feature large frames decorated with reeded, scrolled seats having delicate acanthus de...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Wood

British Colonial Solid Maple Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful British Colonial or Early American extension harvest style dining table USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid maple, with turned legs. Measures: 72.5"W x 44"D x 30.25"H. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Maple

English Country Diorama Clipper Ship Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian Country painted diorama wall plaque of clipper ship with red flag painted in cloudy sky in mahogany frame.
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of British Colonial Midcentury Plantation / Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of solid hard wood and caned British Colonial Plantation chairs, lounge chairs or armchairs. The chairs feature swing out extension arms. The construction is hand made w...
Category

Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Hardwood

Vintage Anglo Indian Campaign Style Hardwood Curule Writing Desk w/ Brass Inlay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Anglo Indian Campaign Style Hardwood Curule Writing Desk w/ Brass Inlay, Thre...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Model Field Gun on Carriage, Cast Iron Porch Cannon
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century Model Field gun on carriage, cast iron porch cannon A good and well made piece, the field gun is made in good detail, this piece has spent m...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
Located in San Marino, 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 Style Shell Queen Bed in Ebonized Finish
Located in San Marino, 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

20th C. Set of Four Nichols and Stone Mahogany Windsor Side Chairs by Stickley
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Set of Four Nichols and Stone Mahogany Windsor Style Side Chairs manufactured by Stickley in Manlius New York. Great vintage condition with clean line, solid wood p...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Coastal Wrapped Rattan Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb vintage chest that exudes coastal elegance and incredible textural appeal. This handsome piece is completely enveloped in expertly wrapped rattan, with a beautiful basketwea...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage British Colonial Style Bamboo and Grasscloth Serving Bar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century serving bar handcrafted with a mahogany top over a bamboo and bent bamboo frame having grasscloth woven in a herringbone pattern on the sides and front. The back...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

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

1900s English Mahogany Canterbury/ Magazine Rack/Record Holder
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Antique English Mahogany Canterbury magazine rack. Four spacious divisions over a good sized single dove tail drawer with original brass pu...
Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mother of Pearl French Colonial Vietnamese 2-Door Cabinet
Located in San Marino, 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

British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood Hand Cane Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
British Colonial Ceylonese Solid Satinwood & Hand Caned Armchair Made entirely out of satinwood. Gentle curved back. Hand caning seat - still in good condition. Spiral arms are a un...
Category

Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

Maitland Smith Bronze Marble Tooled Leather Equestrian Horse Table Lamp 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century figural horse bronze table lamp by Maitland Smith featuring a mare and foal in tableau on a charcoal black marble clad base. Includes hard and rectangular tooled / ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century English Coal Hod or Scuttle
Located in Louisville, KY
This stunning piece of English 19th century history has come so far from being a well designed utilitarian piece within English homes to a gorgeous decorator piece that is not only b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

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 Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo Rattan Diminutive Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial Style Tortoiseshell Bamboo and Rattan Diminutive Chest  Europe, Later 20th Century  A stunning British Colonial-style diminutive chest of drawers, wrapped in rattan...
Category

Late 20th Century European British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Willow

Vintage Three Tiered British Colonial Style Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage British Colonial style stand crafted in mahogany having a mosaic burled mahogany stopover two lower caned tiers with turned supports and feet.
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Faux Bamboo Three Drawer Lacquered Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Lots of detail on this very sturdy chest of drawers. This three drawer faux bamboo chest has been freshly lacquered in a coastal shade of blue. Very versatile piece that could be use...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

17th Century Style Dining Chairs - Set 6
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of 6 English style Dining Chairs in the 17th century style. Carved back splat and top rail. Finely turned legs and stretchers.
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box
Located in Austin, TX
Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small...
Category

Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Side Table, Indian, Teak, Lamp, Side, Tray, Occasional, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique carved side table. An Indian, teak lamp or tray table, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Fascinating carved appearance with a distinctive form Disp...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

Antique English Sterling Silver Gift Box Commissioned by Kehdive Abbas Hilmi II
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Engish presentation silver box. In sterling silver with a gilt interior by George Unite & Sons of Chester in 1899. Commissioned as a gift by Abbas Hilmi II, the last...
Category

1890s British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Sterling 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

Pair of Vintage Brass Palm-Form Candlesticks in Classical Urn Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of mid-20th-century brass candlesticks modeled as stylized palm trees rising from classical urn-form pedestals, the design evoking both exotic revivalism and Mediterr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Heart Form Sailors Valentine
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming 19th Century English heart form sailors valentine ambitiously handcrafted with exotic seashells around a sailboat image as seen through a glass lens.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Shell

Ceylonese British Colonial Style Satinwood Ebony Mahogany Hutch Cupboard Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Ceylonese British Colonial Style Satinwood Ebony Mahogany Hutch Cupboard Cabinet. Item features beautiful satinwood, ebony, and mahogany wood, 3 dovetail constructed drawers,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood

Pair of English Country Windsor Back Carved Oak Dining Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of English Country Windsor style (20th Century) dining armchairs with rounded Windsor backs and shaped seats, resting on four angled legs with stretcher bases. (carving under se...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Furniture

19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony Occasional Table
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A smart early C19th Ceylonese Ebony occasional table, the specimen inlaid hexagonal top centred by a swirl of exotic woods including Palm, Satinwood, Coromandel and Palisander. With ...
Category

1930s Sri Lankan Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Sandalwood, Satinwood, Palmwood

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

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 Le...
Category

18th Century Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Vintage British Colonial Burnt Bamboo Grass Cloth Nightstands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Iconic pair of Vintage British Colonial Burnt bamboo Grass cloth three drawer nightstands. This rare pair is in very good original condition with very fine details throughout. ...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Grasscloth

English Country Monkey and Cats Lithograph
Located in Queens, NY
English Country maple framed lithograph of monkey playing with 2 cats with red and gilt trim glass matting.
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass

Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bookbinding Press Screw Nipping Press
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT Antique Victorian Cast Iron Book Press~~c. 19th century Beautiful decorative Victorian era green book press nipping press 13" tall x...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine with Seashells
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting 19th century English sailors valentine hand crafted in exotic organic seashells ambitiously arranged around a clipper ship image under a convex lens.
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Shell, Organic Material

Vintage coastal woven rattan chest of drawers - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage coastal woven rattan chest of drawers Dresser - Vintage - decoration Measures : 122x46cm H:77cm Materials : Wicker - Brass - Rattan Weight : 40kg Bring a touch of tropical elegance to your home with this beautifully crafted vintage woven rattan chest...
Category

20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-20th Century Brass Horn Bouillotte Lamp with Black Tole Shade
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous brass horn bouillotte lamp with black tole shade USA, Mid-20th century Measures: 16" W x 10.75" D x 26" H Very good original v...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Campaign Tea Table, Anglo-Indian, Carved, Lamp, Side, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique campaign tea table. An Anglo-Indian, carved hardwood lamp or side table dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. A charming, profusely carved two-piece t...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Import Leather Bengal Tiger
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage import leather wrapped bengal tiger. 15” long 7” tall 4” wide. Exquisite details throughout and excellent muscle formation.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

19th C English Copper Lantern Sconce by Foster Pullen
Located in New York, NY
Rare English copper lantern sconce by noted maker, Foster & Pullen. The lantern has hinged top, and hinged panel door to allow access to the bulb from either the top or the front. ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron

19th Century English Campaign Marine Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
Located in NICE, FR
This stunning mahogany chest of drawers model was originally used by the British navy. It features charming typical campaign handles as well two carrying handles on both its sides. ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Metal

English Victorian Puppies Oil Painting
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian style ebonized and gilt framed oil painting of puppies playing on red table.
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Paint

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.