British Colonial Lighting
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
Pair of Vintage Brass Frederick Cooper Table Lamps, Monkeys in a Palm Tree
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of collectible vintage Frederick Cooper brass lamps of palm trees with hanging monkeys are enchanting and in great condition. ...
Category
1990s American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of British Colonial Style Etched Mercury Glass Lanterns or Light Fixtures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of exotic lanterns hand blown in classic form, hanging from hammered metal hardware featuring etched floral designs on a translucent mercury background.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Mercury Glass
Vintage Maitland Smith Bronze Monkey Riding Ostrich Table Lamp Leather Shade 39"
Located in Dayton, OH
A charming late 20th century table lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a bronze Ostrich carrying a Monkey. The bronze is over a round tessellated marble base and includes a embossed ost...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Maitland Smith Figural Bronze Monkey Desk Lamp With Pen Shell Shade 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive handmade figural bronze lamp by Maitland Smith. Features a monkey climbing a tree branch, holding an adjustable banker style pen shell shade. The bronze is mounted to a...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Lost Wax Bronze Pineapple Lamps from the Cote d'Ivoire
Located in East Hampton, NY
These pineapples were made from the lost wax process in early 20th C. Pineapples are a traditional Western symbol of welcome. They are heavy solid bronze pineapples mounted on a sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Ivorian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Lighting
Materials
Copper, Wrought Iron
Rare and Unusual Pierced Coconut Shell Table Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual handmade table lamp featuring thirteen carved and perforated coconut shells as shades, carved coconut leaves, hand wrapped string stems and a coconut base on a mahog...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Coconut
Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover timeless elegance with this Antique Faux Candle Floor Lamp Side Table. Featuring two faux candle stick lamp heads and a colonial wooden base, this piece serves both as a flo...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Wood
Pair of British Colonial Style Table Lamps with Elephants
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style pair of porcelain table lamps with classic ginger jar form hand decorated with elephants and floral motifs. Signed Oriental Accent on the bottoms.
Category
20th Century Chinese British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Rare! Early Maitland Smith Custom English Brass Table Lamp Spears Motif
Located in Peoria, AZ
Gorgeous!
Maitland Smith
Custom Brass
Speat Tripod
Table Lamp
Amazing British Colonial Style!
This one of a kind Maitland Smith lamp is an iconic example of British Colonial Style...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Steel, Brass
A Pair of Large Bronze Coloured Toleware Table Lamps
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large Bronze Coloured Toleware Table Lamps
These Large Stunning Lamps have an Armorial Crest theme they have matching shades, both lamps and shades have a crackle glaze fi...
Category
1960s Vintage British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Tin
Pair of British Colonial Style Floor Lamps with Zebra Hide
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of British Colonial floor lamps with a Classic tapered form custom crafted in mahogany with exotic zebra hide panels all around. Available with linen or the original lambskin sh...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Zebra Hide
Pair, Vintage Faux Bamboo 5-Arm Candle Sconces - Available French Wiring
By Serge Roche
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair, Vintage Faux Bamboo 5-Arm Candle Sconces
Available French Wiring for $200 - Please inquire before purchasing. (NOTE - Current listing is for candle sconces)
These vintage faux bamboo sconces have a Serge Roche feel with their traditional yet sophisticated modern appeal. The body is constructed from plaster, iron and tole with 5 arm candle holders...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Iron
Maitland Smith Bronze & Shell Mosaic Footed Ginger Jar Urn Table Lamp 30"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith table in the shape of a tall ginger jar / urn featuring a white shell mosaic in a scalloped feather or leaf vein pa...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
2 Maitland Smith Shell Mosaic Stacked Ball Candlestick Buffet Table Lamps 36"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two Maitland Smith buffet / table lamps featuring round bronze bases and urn shaped finials with factory distressed patina / verdigris, w...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
British Colonial Style Glass Lantern or Pendant
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage British colonial style three light lantern or light fixture with a hand blown glass bowl and brass hardware.
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique Smoke Bell Light Fixtures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of antique smoke bell light fixtures with classic form having three light clusters in hand blown glass globes with brass hardware feat...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Pair of Italian Metal Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of vintage Italian table lamps crafted in iron or metal in a modern stylized design with an aged metal finish.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Metal
El Nido English Ships Wrought Iron Wall Bracket Lantern
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This wrought iron lantern was inspired by a Spanish Colonial house in Santa Barbara. It is also in the style of ships lanterns on the 19th century. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Scale 20th Century Persian Lacquerware Table Lamp
Located in Morristown, NJ
c. 1950s, large scale gourd-form coir lamp hand decorated with gazelles, lions, and hunters on horseback on green ground, brass fittings. The painting is accentuated with gold painte...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
Tole Palm Tree Chandelier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Italian tole five light chandelier with palm leaves over graceful arms with acanthus leaves and floral candle cups all having a rustic aged yell...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Brass Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid century modern pair of table lamps crafted in brass in a stylized palm tree form on an octagon ebonized wood base. Best of the genre.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
Turned Wood Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century British colonial style table lamps crafted in turned wood with classic form and a mahogany finish. Two pair available.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of English 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze Brig - Tall Ship Marine Lanterns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of English 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze 'Brig - Tall-Ship' Marine Lanterns with Putti Corner Caryatids. The single-light tapered square cast-bronze body surmounted with alleg...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Figural Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of English table lamps crafted in silver plate over cast brass depicting a camel and an elephant under palm trees on terra firma bases.
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Pair of British Colonial Two Light Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique English wall sconces crafted in metal with a worn silver plate finish over a classic form having a crown, graceful looping ...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Metal
Antique Glass and Brass Pendant
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English pendant or bell jar light fixture with pressed floral designs on the brass hardware and a hand blown glass globe with cut cycles in fros...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
20 Th Century 3 Light Bouillotte Lamp Style Silvered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very popular design of Bouillotte lamp made of brass and finished in Hi-polished silver plate. Has 3 candelabra sockets. All new wiring and sockets. Ht of 22" and the base is 7 1/2...
Category
1990s North American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stunning Silver Plated Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite pair of Stunning Silver Plated Table Lamps, a luxurious addition to any home décor. With their sleek silver finish and captivating curved bases, these lamps...
Category
1950s English Vintage British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Metal, Silver
HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]
Located in Hawthorne, CA
A pair of wooden hand-carved chandeliers for an eclectic decor. These pieces are perfect for an island or coastal setting. Of the 19th C. wired to modern standards, origin England 19...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Rosewood
![HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/upload/1121189/f_85148731505466845290/8514873_master.jpg?width=240 "HAND-CARVED Wooden 1920's CHANDELIERS [PAIR]")
Pair of Cut-Glass Hurricanes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined pair of handblown hurricanes with scalloped tops, geometric
cut patterns, brass cuffs and classical cut glass bases.
Category
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Pair of Metal and Cast Iron Monkey and Palm Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of wall sconces with a slightly oxidized finish, five candle cups in palm leaf clusters, and featuring cast iron monkeys in a familiar, taunting ...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Midcentury Mother of Pearl Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury table lamps with a rectangular form featuring alluring mother of pearl mosaic bodies presented on Lucite bases.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Pair of Horn Veneer Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dashing pair of midcentury table lamps featuring Horn veneer mosaic bodies and finished with Classic nickel plated metal tops and feet.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Mid-Century Modern Double Dome Chandelier or Pendant Light
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic double dome chandelier or pendant light fixture that is both elegant and industrial. The dome glass is ribbed for a lustrous glow; the glass on the bottom has the peaceful patte...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Glass
Pair of Armorial Porcelain Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of porcelain table lamps hand-painted with Heraldic coats of arms and floral medallions on a white background.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Lighting
Vintage Pair of Deer Hoof Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of custom English deer hoof table lamps with silver plated candle cups and hardware, presented on custom double plinths. Newly wired. Poss...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Animal Skin
19th Century Anglo-Indian Amber Pumpkin Shape Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Anglo-Indian amber pumpkin shape bell jar lantern.
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Lighting
Pair of Vintage British Colonial Style Table Lamps with Elephants
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of British Colonial style table lamps with a combination of modern and tradition having stylized bronze finials and palm fronds on a glass post over cast bronze eleph...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Lighting
Materials
Brass
British Colonial lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, and Frederick Cooper. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $12,450 while the average work can sell for $3,075.
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