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British Colonial Chairs

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
Set of Four Burnt Bamboo Tortoise Folding Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very good set of four British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Tortoise folding chairs. Well constructed and sturdy. An additional set of four is also available for purchase.
Category

20th Century Philippine British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Rupert Bevan Croft Barstool (in Customer's Own choice of Material/Leather)
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our Croft chair, the Croft Barstool was created to give the design versatility, allowing the sophistication of its finishes and bespoke upholstery to move seamlessly betw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Oak

Rupert Bevan Croft Dining Chair (in Customer's Own choice of Material/Leather)
Located in London, GB
Our signature Croft Chair sits comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings, with its generous seat and elegant backrest. Legs and frame in solid oak with a Light, Mid, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Oak

Italian colonial chair in bamboo wood and damask fabric, 1910s
Located in MIlano, IT
Colonial chair with wooden frame with round-section slats and bamboo upholstery, upholstered seat and back in their original damask fabric. 1910 ca. Good overall condition. Measures ...
Category

1910s Italian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Wood

A George VI 1937 Coronation Chair and Stool
Located in Faversham, GB
A George VI 1937 Coronation Chair and Stool designed by Edward Barnsley for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London on 12th May 1937. The chairs for the coronation of King George ...
Category

Early 20th Century British British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Pair of Early 19thc English Hand Carved Barley Twist And Suede Arm Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of E. 19thc English Hand Carved Barley Twist And Suede Arm Chairs. The arms are carved with a figure of a woman in front. The Arms and legs have the twist carving to them. The...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Victorian Military Campaign Folding Faux Bamboo Embroidered Safari Canvas Chair
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A delicate slice of Victorian Military Campaign. A folding Chair of Faux Bamboo, with an Embroidered Canvas Seat Rear Finished With Brown Leather Sl...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Brass

Karin Mobring Pine Safari Armchair with Canvas Seat & Leather Straps
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Karin Mobring Pine Safari Armchair With Canvas Seat & Leather Straps Made In Sweden For Ikea 1972 Karin Elisabet Mobring (1927-08-07 — 2005-02-17), Furn...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Pine, Leather, Canvas

Pair of Antique Caned British Colonial Planters Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing pair of early 20th century British Colonial plantation chairs handcrafted in indigenous mahogany with elegant form featuri...
Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Mahogany, Cane

Set of Six Masonic Throne Armchairs in Oak, circa 1880
Located in Faversham, GB
A stunning set of six Masonic throne armchairs in oak. Carved triangular pediments with broad back panels and carved finials over a dished seat. Each armrest features two quatrefoil ...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Oak

Antique British Colonial Anglo Indian Teak Distressed Plantation Armchair
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century British Colonial Anglo Indian plantation chair. Made from teak in mortise and tenon joinery with a relaxed lounged frame and long arms. Features a curved crest rai...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Teak

Antique British Colonial Anglo Indian Teak Split Reed Rattan Plantation Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century British Colonial Anglo Indian plantation chair. Made from teak in mortise and tenon joinery with a relaxed lounged frame and long arms. Features a curved crest rail and split reed bent rattan seat. There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a day's backbreaking work. In the 19th century, plantation owners used a specific chair. Called, naturally enough, the planter...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Teak

Antique British Colonial Cane and Carved Teak Lounge Chair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful antique carved teak and cane lounge chair. The beauty is truly in the details of this chair. The carved and turned wood are stunning. It's in excellent condition for its ag...
Category

Early 20th Century British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Cane, Teak

Lloyd Loom Lounge Chair in White Grey
Located in Voorburg, NL
Fantastic Lloyd Loom lounge chair in greyish white original Lloyd loom weave. The chair has a stable base made of brushed nickel steel base. The Lloyd loom weave is very strong and c...
Category

Early 2000s British British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Steel

Great Pair of Vintage Mahogany Planters Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Great pair of vintage mahogany planters chairs with canvas.
Category

20th Century English British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Canvas, Mahogany

British Colonial Teak Slipper Chair With Leather Upholstery
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1920's Hand carved Victorian Slipper chair constructed from Teak wood and re-upholstered in brown leather.
Category

1920s Indian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Teak

19th Century Jamaican Campeche / Planter Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant British Colonial 1810-1830 Campeche chair is made of solid mahogany and was known in Jamaica as a Spanish chair in the period. This West Indies Planter chair...
Category

Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century British Colonial Child's Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of 19th century British Colonial chairs made for children with cane seats, nicely carved arms and half-moon legs.
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cane

Andrianna Shamaris Shell Inlay Teak Wood Colonial Chair
Located in New York, NY
Colonial reclining plantation chair. Perfect for inside or outside relaxation. The St. Barts collection features an exciting new line of organic white wash and natural weathered tea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood

Pair of Wooden and Leather Armchairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Pair of solid wood and tawny leather armchairs: subtle wood work for the structure, rounded and contoured lines, the cushions are removable and dressed in fawn leather. All in beauti...
Category

20th Century European British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Related Items
George Nakashima New Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and early model 271 or New Chair, the iconic Windsor spindle back chair reimagined by Japanese-American Master Woodworker, George Nakashima in 1956. East Indian Laurel wood in t...
Category

1950s American Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Hickory, Walnut

George Nakashima New Chair
George Nakashima New Chair
H 36 in W 19 in D 21 in
Set of Six Bamboo and Wicker Folding Chairs
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Set of six bamboo and woven wicker folding chairs whenever you need extra seating.
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

Set of Little Petra in Walnut & All Colors Karakorum 'Customer's Choice' for&T
Located in Dubai, AE
Initially introduced back in 1938, Little Petra won instant praise at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition, subsequently winning awards at exhibits in New York and Berlin. I...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Vico Magistretti Set of Four Barstools in Ash and Straw
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti, set of four bar stools, straw and ash, Italy, 1960s Italian set of five barstools by Vico Magistretti. The stools embody a sim...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Ash, Straw

Set Of Four Mahogany, Cane & Leather Regency Folding Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Unusual and rare set of Regency style folding dining chairs in mahogany and cane, with dark ivory leather seats and scalloped backs. Extremely well constructed. Just the right thin...
Category

1950s American Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Frank Lloyd Wright "Barrel" Chairs for Cassina, 1937, Set of 4
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Frank Lloyd Wright "Barrel" chairs for Cassina, patinated wood and velvet seat, Italy, 1937, set of four. A timeless design informed by exceptional constructive complexity, the i...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Set of Four Faux Bamboo Chairs in Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of four gold leaf gilt iron faux bamboo chairs, France, 1940s. Nicely constructed. They have a beautiful aged patina showing their original gold leaf gilding To be re-upholster...
Category

20th Century French British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf, Iron

Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Italian Foldable Table and Four Chairs, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury set, made of bamboo and rattan foldable table and four chairs. It is an Italian production of 1960s and the state of conserva...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Glass

19thc Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890 19thC Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs With pierced backs and cleated seats. Measures: W 35 x D 45 x H 93cm. Seat height 44.  
Category

19th Century Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Elm

19thc Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs
19thc Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs
H 36.62 in W 13.78 in D 17.72 in
Bamboo Brown Folding Chair
Located in Paris, FR
Folding chair Bamboo Brown in brown finish with structure in solid teak in brown finish. With seat, back and armrest in brown leather.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Brass

Bamboo Brown Folding Chair
Bamboo Brown Folding Chair
H 34.65 in W 23.23 in D 22.45 in
Mid-Century Italian Set of Four Caned Folding Chairs
Located in Water Mill, NY
Set of four Mid-Century cane and laquered wood Italian folding chairs.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Thonet chair 1910s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet chair no.335
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Thonet chair 1910s
Thonet chair 1910s
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 16.54 in
Previously Available Items
Pair of Antique Plantation Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of antique British colonial planters chairs crafted with mahogany in an unusual elegant form having inclined caned seats,...
Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Pair of Antique Plantation Chairs
Pair of Antique Plantation Chairs
H 41 in W 27 in D 48 in
Pair of Colonial Armchairs in Caning and Black Lacquered Wood Circa 1930
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent pair of colonial armchairs with seat and cane backrest called planters armchairs in black lacquered wood. The armrests with gadrooned barrels are nicely carved on the but...
Category

Early 20th Century European British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Wood

British Colonial Rattan fireside Chair
Located in Portland, OR
British Colonial woven rattan armchair with hardwood frame in the Art Ddeco style. In fantastic condition.
Category

1930s English Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Hardwood

6 Nichols & Stone American Windsor Faux Bamboo Maple Birdcage Dining Side Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Six gorgeous birdcage Windsor style dining chairs manufactured by the Nichols & Stone Company. The chairs are expertly crafted of light maple with split wedge mortise and tenon joine...
Category

1990s British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Maple

Set of 4 Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 4 Rattan Dining Chairs Offered is a set of 4 rattan dining chairs. This set is in good condition with clean neutral upholstery. Cushions are fixed and not removable Shows ve...
Category

Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Set of 4 Rattan Dining Chairs
Set of 4 Rattan Dining Chairs
H 39 in W 23 in D 24 in
Two Antique Cane Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary pair of antique English accent side chairs in great condition is hand-crafted out of walnut wood and newly restored by our professional expert craftsmen team. This f...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood, Walnut, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

Two Antique Cane Chairs
Two Antique Cane Chairs
H 33 in W 18 in D 19 in
1980s British Colonial Style Wicker & Caned Chairs by Palecek, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of double caned and wicker arm chairs with British colonial styling by Palecek. They are marked and in very good condition.
Category

1980s American Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Wicker

Set of 4 McGuire Rattan Chairs, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
Set of 4 rattan chairs with striped upholstered cushions by McGuire. Made in the Philippines 1960s. Imported via San Francisco. Rattan is in exc...
Category

1960s Philippine Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan

Set of 4 McGuire Rattan Chairs, 1960s
Set of 4 McGuire Rattan Chairs, 1960s
H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 23 in
British Campaign Solid Teak & Rosewood Folding Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1910-20 Hand made, solidly built British campaign teak and rosewood folding chairs on bolts. Flowing wood grain. Sturdy construction. Once opened ...
Category

1910s British Indian Ocean Territory Vintage British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Rosewood, Teak

British Colonial Style Peacock Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Peacock chair crafted in mahogany and other hardwoods bent to an elegant form with tiny round headed brass nails. Signed McGuire on a brass plaque.
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Carved Side Chairs with Rattan Seat and Back
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of carved side chairs. Measures: Seat height at 17”.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Cane

Ebonized British Colonial Style Lillian August Chairs in Zebra Velvet, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These make a strong statement! This is a pair of British Colonial style chairs in a printed zebra velvet. Brass nailheads add a finishing touch. T...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Chairs

Materials

Brass

British Colonial chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Andrianna Shamaris, and Karin Mobring. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $592 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $3,025.

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