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 Tessilated Marble & Brass Turtle Thinker Obelisk Sculpture 20”
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith stone tesslated marble stone obelisk sculpture standing on the backs of four brass turtles, which in turn sit atop a square pedestal. At the tip of the obelisk sits another brass turtle, anthropomorphized in the position of The Thinker. Marked 198 on base. Hand Made in the...
Marble, Brass
E 11 R Gold Monogrammed on Teak, from a Royal Vessel This interesting piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
E 11 R Gold Monogrammed on Teak, from a Royal Vessel This interesting piece probably came from one of the Tenders for a Royal Craft, it is 3 dimensional and it is carved, about 70 ...
Teak
Antique Rustic Anglo-Indian Candleholder
Located in Sheffield, MA
The large sculptural antique rustic Anglo-Indian candleholder made from architectural element. Carved hardwood with an indented metal disk and spike or pricket for candles with extra...
Hardwood
Anaka Candleholder
Located in Paris, FR
Candleholder Anaka with all structure in crystal glass with dark grey finish on the base, pink finish on candleholder stand and with Bronzed glass finish end candlholder for x5 cand...
Porcelain
$2,350 / set
H 12.63 in W 11.63 in D 4.5 in
Pair of Antique Anglo-Indian Etched and Polychrome Brass Peacock Figures
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Antique Anglo-Indian etched and polychrome brass peacock figures. Stunning pair of Anglo-Indian etched and polychrome brass peacock figures or sculptures. These beautiful pe...
Brass
Pair of Maitland Smith Tessellated Duck Sculptures/ Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Maitland Smith tessellated fossil coral and polished horn duck sculptures/ bookends with brass trim.
Limestone
Interesting Plaster Sculpture, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful interesting sculpture is made of plaster. This is a French work, circa 1950.
Plaster
Shell Sculpture on Stand by Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1980’s shell sculpture on stand bu Maitland Smith. Constructed of wood covered with tessellated fossil stone and detailed outline with brass inlaid. In beautiful original...
Marble, Brass
$2,750 / set
H 29 in W 8.2 in D 7.7 in
Pair of Maitland Smith Large Bronze and Marble Egret Bird Sculptures, Labeled
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage pair of large sculptures features elegantly rendered standing figures of egrets. The birds are done in patinated bronze with slight verdigris effect; they are mounted on prom...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Indian Riveted Iron Horse Sculpture with Rustic Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A striking vintage Indian horse sculpture handcrafted from riveted iron panels, this piece captures both sculptural power and primitive grace. S...
Iron
Lizard Sculpture by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Life size lizard sculpture or object of art handcrafted with silver plate on bronze metal head, legs, and bottom and featuring a tortoise shell terrazzo back. Signed Maitland-Smith o...
Silver Plate
Vintage Anglo-Indian Brass Cow Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Anglo-Indian brass cow sculpture. Beautiful detail and patina to the brass. Great conversation piece!
Brass
Thomsonite Sculpture from India, Crystal Display Piece, Modern Design
Located in New York, NY
This rare Thomsonite specimen from India presents a striking natural arrangement of spherical orange radial sprays against a contrastingly dark matrix. The acicular crystals radiate ...
Crystal
$695
H 19 in W 9.5 in D 9 in
Maitland Smith Victorian Style 19" Bronze Boy Bust Head Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Victorian Style 19" Bronze Boy Bust Head Sculpture on Marble Base. Item features marble pedestal base, cast bronze figure, very nice details, great style and form, App...
Marble, Bronze
Maitland Smith Tessellated Marble Sphere Sculptures, Set of 3, 1980s
Located in Round Top, TX
Trio of tessellated marble sphere sculptures in graduated sizes. Smallest: 4.63"Dia x 4.75"H Medium: 6.63"Dia x 6.75"H Largest: 9.25"Dia x 8.5"H These are as beautiful displayed...
Marble
Sold
H 30.5 in W 7 in D 7 in
Maitland Smith Tessilated Stone & Brass Winged Lions Obelisk Sculpture 31”
Located in Dayton, OH
Large vintage Maitland Smith tessellated marble stone obelisk sculpture, standing on the backs of four brass winged lions, which in turn lay atop a ...
Marble, Brass