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.
Maitland-Smith Colonial Wingback Swan Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Sarasota, FL
A set of four British colonial style rattan and silk wingback chairs by Maitland Smith. Gracefully curved bamboo frames are decorated with metal swan necks in a bronze finish at the ...
Metal
2 Chairs, 1720, England (Unrestored) / Restoration at the client's choic
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
They are delivered restored in fabric or leather There are similar chairs at the victoria and albert museum Material: Wood A tall-back walnut chair with pierced splat, the seat uphol...
Wood
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 20.5" W x 24.5" D x 15" Seat height.
Wood
Vintage Ficks Reed Modular Rattan Sectional Sofa & Lounge Chair – 3 Piece Set
By Ficks Reed
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered for sale is a vintage Ficks Reed rattan seating group consisting of a two-piece modular sectional sofa and matching lounge chair. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship an...
Rattan
Teak and Cane Colonial Chaise Lounge
Located in Highland, IN
This striking chaise is long, lean and luxurious. A teak frame with lovely carved details and a woven cane support offers a platform for lounging, reading and relaxing. Made more comfortable by a beautiful woven quilted pad and pillow. This exceptional piece strikes a balance between antique and...
Cane, Teak
Pair of Brighton Pavilion Revival Bamboo, Rattan and Caned Armchairs, Circa 1970
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Brighton Pavilion Revival Bamboo, Rattan and Caned Armchairs, Circa 1970s Inspired by the celebrated Anglo-Chinese interiors of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, these beautif...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Reed, Willow
British Colonial Style Cane Seat Armchair
Located in Pasadena, TX
This armchair is made in the British Colonial style. Its made of mahogany and has a cane seat. The legs are fluted in the Louis XVi style.
Cane, Mahogany
British Colonial Style Bamboo Recliner Chair with Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century recliner chair crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with caned seating featuring a pull out ottoman and Morris style reclini...
Bamboo
Vintage Grasscloth Footstool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming vintage footstool is a testament to timeless traditional design with a tactile, organic twist. The base is expertly crafted from solid wood with a warm mahogany-toned f...
Wood, Natural Fiber, Seagrass
$1,866Sale Price / set|20% Off
Coppia di Poltrone Coloniali in Legno Intagliato e Paglia di Vienna, Primi '900
Located in Florence, IT
Coppia di Poltrone Coloniali in Legno Intagliato e Doppia Paglia di Vienna, presentate con cuscini in velluto floreale con toni marrone/oro.
Velvet, Wood, Straw
$560Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Child Chair, Hand-Carved Stained Pine, British Colonial Style
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tiny child chair in stained pine. With the right amount of patina.
Pine
Armchair English Leather from, 19th Century Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
English club armchair, leather first half of the 20th century. Vintage. Solid mahogany club chair, English. Classic upholstery which was upholstered with leather. Armrest partly a...
Mahogany
19th Century British Colonial Teak & Woven Rattan Stool
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
19th Century British Colonial Teak and Woven Rattan Stool A charming late 19th-century teak and woven rattan stool or luggage stand that effortlessly combines style and functionalit...
Teak
Vintage Stick Rattan Lounge Chair in Stockwell Performance “Martinique”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the timeless glamour of the "California Look" with this exceptional vintage stick rattan lounge chair. Drawing significant influence from 1940s Hollywood Regency and British ...
Fabric, Rattan
Vintage Burnt Bamboo Brighton Pavillion Armchairs by Brown Jordan, Circa 1980s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Brighton Pavilion Burnt Bamboo chairs by Brown Jordan. New linen seat cushions. Very substantial and sturdy.
Bamboo
$6,360Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century British Colonial Tea Plantation Teak & Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890 Rare Teak and leather lounge chair that was formerly used in a Tea Estate in India. Hand made with pull out leaves that transform into leg rests and can be tucked back ...
Teak
Original Walnut Wing Chair, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original walnut wing chair, circa 1900. Armchair reupholstered and refinished a short time ago, small stains on the fabric.
Walnut
Set of 4, Calif-Asia And Cartel Bamboo & Rattan Mid Century Armchairs
By Calif-Asia
Located in Atlanta, GA
This set of four bamboo armchairs is made by Calif-Asia and Cartel, Philippines, as confirmed by the original maker’s label reading “Handcrafted in the Philippines by Calif-Asia and ...
Bamboo, Rattan
19th C. Anglo-Indian Tub Chair with House of Hackney Velvet Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Anglo-Indian tub chair constructed in solid hardwood with a light natural finish that shows the wood's grain and knotting throughout. Seven vertical flat spindles form the curved bac...
Wood, Olive
$616Sale Price|30% Off
English Country Mahogany Ladderback Roundabout Corner Arm Chair Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to early 20th century English Country roundabout corner armchair. Made of mahogany featuring rounded form with ladderback supports over turned posts and supports, vinyl seat and ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage Leather Cushion Cane Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant vintage cane settee presents a refined blend of materials and craftsmanship evocative of early 20th-century design. The gracefully curved back and arms are inset with fi...
Leather, Cane, Wood
British Colonial Handwoven Cane Turned Wood Spindle Frame Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
1950 refinished British Colonial handwoven Cane Chaise Lounge, Daybed or Sofa with turned Wood Frame and support Stretchers in brown Finish. Bohemian Chic Style with a graceful form ...
Cane, Wood
British Colonial Art Deco Teak Bench, Myanmar, Brass Feet, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Unique original Colonial Art Deco teak bench/sofa made in Myanmar around 1930. The bench stands on six feet with brass sleeves that have a wonderful original...
Brass
Colonial-style sofa and armchair with resin saber feet, 1970s
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Sofa and armchair set with "elephant tusk" (or saber) feet. A design classic that recalls colonial style and the taste of the 1970s. These feet feature an elegant curved line that ...
Enamel
20th Century Nichols & Stone National Cathedral Ebonized and Gilt Windsor Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th Century Nichols & Stone National Cathedral School Ebonized and Gilt Windsor Chair in excellent vintage condition. Measures 16.5" in width, 18" in depth, 33" in height wit...
Hardwood, Paint
$1,290 / item
Set of 3 Rustic Windsor Back Carved Oak Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
3 English Country (20th Century) Windsor style dining side chairs with rounded backs and shaped seats, resting on four angled legs with stretcher bases. (carving under seat, \"HWS 17...
Executive Leather Desk Chair Office Halo Oulton Tilt Swivel Height Adjustable
Located in London, GB
A strikingly attractive and very comfortable executive leather designer desk armchair in lovely condition. Designed by British style icon Timothy Oulton and made by high-end manufact...
Metal
Late 19th Century Solid Wood English Country Armchair Windsor Carver Elbow Chair
By Hooker Furniture, American of Martinsville, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Late 20th Century hand-crafted Solid Wood Windsor Armchair or Carver Elbow Chair. Features a classic spindle-back adding rustic European provincial flair with the exquisite silhouett...
Wood, Elm
Great Pair of Vintage Mahogany Planters Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of vintage mahogany planters chairs with canvas.
Canvas, Mahogany
$5,950 / set
British Colonial Style Set of Four Safari Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dashing set of four vintage British Colonial chairs crafted in mahogany stained maple with a pegged construction in a safari style havi...
Maple
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Side or Office Chairs with Upholstered Seat
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern solid rosewood side or office chairs with a slightly curved back for lumbar support. Slightly tapered leg. The seat can be easily removed if you wanted to ...
Upholstery
$1,200 / set
English Country Walnut Windsor Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of English Country (19th Cent) walnut Windsor side chairs with spindles and a wheel back design and having a stretcher connecting the legs. (PRICED AS PAIR) Vintage condition.
English Country Walnut Windsor Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
English Country (19th Cent) walnut Windsor side chair with slat back.
19th Century American Oak Captain's Style Armchair with Spindle Back
Located in Queens, NY
13 American (19/20th Century) oak captain\'s-style armchairs with spindle backs. (PRICED EACH)
Oak
Vintage Brighton Chinoiserie Rattan Blonde Bamboo Caning Split Reed Armchair 70s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage blonde bamboo, caning and split reed armchair on six legs. This is a handcrafted chair with woven cane seat features bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The b...
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Lovely Painted Wicker Peacock Chair
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very pretty and excellent quality wicker peacock chair, very intricate work and in excellent overall condition. 44" high 28.5" wide 28" overall depth 18" seat height You are welc...
Wicker
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Antique Wooden Oak Chair
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Art Nouveau Spiral Spindle Antique Chair. Made from walnut, American-made from the 1930's. Hand-carved. Purchased at an antique store in New Orleans.
Oak
Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880 Superbe ensemble de mobilier de salon en bois patiné, finement sculpté de masques grotesques, comprenant : Un canapé Une paire de fau...
Wood