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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 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

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

Antique English Leather Top Desk or Writing Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English desk handcrafted in mahogany with the original tooled leather top on a case with two drawers and brass hardware set on classic turned legs.
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Brass Elephant Head on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout Anglo Indian cast brass elephant head sculpture presented on a turned brass stand. Hand polished and lacquered for easy care.
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Habersham Wooden Plantation Campaign Trunk Style Side Coffee Table w/ Brass Trim
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Habersham Wooden Plantation Campaign Trunk Style Small Coffee Table/Side Table with Brass Trim, Distressed Finish, 3 Drawers, and Swing Door. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 2...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

1970 s Sculpted Cane Rattan Bar Stools, 6 available
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Sculpted twisted cane & rattan counter height bar stools. Solid and very comfortable. They swivel in the center. Made in colonial Tiawan, circa 1970's. They show little to no wear at...
Category

1970s Taiwanese Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Rattan

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

Robert Lighton British Khaki Teak Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Silk Curtains 92"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Robert Lighton British Khaki X armoire / wardrobe / TV console / cabinet. Made of teak featuring dark ebonized finish with double jointed doors ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Sheesham Blanket Trunk Chest Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century British Colonial style Sheesham wood blanket storage chest or coffee table. Features a beautiful two tone finish with iron hardware. Dimensions: 16" x 24" x 16"h
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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

5 Antique Cecil Aldin 1st Ed Chromolithograph Hunting Prints Fallowfield Hunt
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful collection of 1901 chromolithographic prints from the work of equestrian and sporting artist Cecil Aldin (1870-1935). Includes 3 scenes from the The Fallowfield Hunt Re...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Baker Furniture British Colonial Wicker and Bamboo Wing Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th Century Pair of Authentic Baker Furniture Rattan British Colonial Wingback Chairs. A rare find in such a well-preserved condition. Baker furniture in known for impeccable craft...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan

Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Hartville, OH
Gorgeous Vintage Chesterfield Sofa with Deep Button Tufts, Rolled arms and Brass Casters. Finished in a Cognac leather. Unsigned, believed to be Ralph Lauren.
Category

1990s American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather

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

Cheneys, London Velvet Leather, Travel Bag or Briefcase, 1950s, England
Located in Andernach, DE
Handbag / suitcase / travel bag / briefcase by Cheney, England. Period of manufacture: around 1950. Black, thick, soft velvet (probably cotton) with beautiful British stripes in red...
Category

Mid-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

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

Pair of Large Wicker Armchairs; The Collection of Andre Leon Talley
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Fabulous, Pair of Ralph Lauren Wicker Chairs with a storied provenance, owned by Legendary Fashion Icon André Leon Talley. These unique wic...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan

John Somers Pewter Footed Tray, 11.5 Inches Square
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Elegant Footed Pewter Tray – Brazilian Craftsmanship This beautifully crafted footed square pewter tray is a testament to the artistry of John Somers, one of the most re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Pewter

British Colonial California King Shell Bed, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in San Marino, 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

American Victorian Multi-Drawer Leather and Brass Steamer Trunk
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian (late 1800s) steamer trunk with a brown leather exterior with brass closures and rivets with 5 interior drawers and a leather handle on either side (name on side \...
Category

19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Freestanding Cheval Floor Mirror
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful British colonial style floor mirror with faux burnt bamboo frame and cane details. Great geometric pattern up top. Would work well in a variety of interiors Mirror only ...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Cane

Serving Tray on a Folding Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style serving tray with a removable top with a herringbone reed surface in a bamboo frame with brass handles on a mahogany folding base carved with a palm leaf motif...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

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

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 Vintage Campaign Bamboo Tortoiseshell Folding Chairs
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pair of vintage campaign bamboo with tortoiseshell finials folding chairs.
Category

1950s American Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Turned Leg Wooden Bench Covered with Antique Belochistan Oriental Prayer Rug
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome turned wooden bench is covered with a striking handwoven Balochistan prayer rug. Featuring a geometric pattern in lovely colors, this piece could double as a coffee tab...
Category

1920s Pakistani Vintage British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Hardwood

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

British Colonial Style Burnt Tortoise Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury burnt tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with British Colonial design elements featuring two glove boxes, two drawers, elegant splay...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan

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

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

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

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 Foyer Hall Table British Colonial Carved Wood Leather Flip Top Burmese
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique Foyer Hall Table British Colonial Carved Wood Leather Flip Top Burmese. Direct from Europe, a stunning antique hall table, with superb...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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

Pair of Bamboo Woven Rattan Hexagon Side End Tables
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of oversized two tier tables in bamboo & woven rattan with removable glass tops; Bloomingdales circa 1990s. Dimensions when measuring across from point to point: 27.5" wide, whe...
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Glass

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 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

Collection of 22 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 22 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books. The books are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of a selection of warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The book collection measure horizontally is 80 cm, approximate 31,49 inches wide. This collection of books...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Leather, Paper

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 Anglo Indian Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 19th Century Anglo Indian teak cupboard. In two parts with two doors above two, with the original inlaid slides in the top. Intricately inlaid with bone and ebony.
Category

1880s Antique British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Teak

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

English Antique Military Campaign Design Butlers Tray and Folding Stand
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Bevan Funnell Military Campaign George III Butlers Tray. With folding Stand having foldable galleried handles & brass idents and feet A wonderful tray for drinks...
Category

20th Century British British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Caned and Carved Planters Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive British Colonial plantation chair crafted in mahogany in a graceful form with dramatic carved ocean and floral motifs on the back and rolled ...
Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive mid century desk crafted with a faux burnt bamboo frame having grasscloth panels on the tops, sides, and drawer fronts, featuring two glove boxes and a dramatic pagoda for...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo

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

Tudor Bed in Traditional Stained Solid Cherry with Paneled Headboard and Ceiling
Located in Tiverton, RI
Impressive in its formal qualities and celebration of craft and detail this piece has a fully wood paneled ceiling and headend with large turned footposts.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

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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