British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
1930s Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
2010s Indian British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Cotton, Down
1940s Swedish Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass
20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Cane, Teak
1960s Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Teak
Late 20th Century British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1940s Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1830s English Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Glass, Wood
19th Century Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Late 18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Rosewood
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Reed, Bamboo
1960s Swedish Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s Indian British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Cotton, Down
Early 20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Indian British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Down
2010s Indian British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Cotton, Down
2010s French British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Faux Bamboo, Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
Late 20th Century American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century African British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Wrought Iron
20th Century American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Cowhide
Early 20th Century British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Early 20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
Early 18th Century European Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Plastic
Mid-19th Century Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1920s English Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
1930s Vintage British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Reed
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Velvet
19th Century English Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
20th Century American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Wicker, Rattan, Paint
20th Century North American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Faux Bamboo
2010s American British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Faux Leather
19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Poplar
Early 20th Century English British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Mid-20th Century British Colonial More Furniture and Collectibles
Cane