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.
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.
Brass
$982Sale Price|25% Off
Oceanic Pendant, White, Large, Davey Lighting & Original BTC, United Kingdom.
By Davey & Co., Peter Bowles (Original BTC)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oceanic Pendant, White, Large, Davey Lighting & Original BTC, United Kingdom. Large Oceanic Pendant A contemporary twist on an original design from ...
Aluminum, Steel
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.
Mercury Glass
Antique Pair of Smoke Bell Light Fixtures, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of colonial style continental smoke bell glass light fixtures hand blown in classic form with cut designs and brass hammered hardware, using candle power as originally ...
Blown Glass
![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]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/upload/f_28963/1505417055592/914_LANTERNS4_master.jpg?width=240)
$2,860 / set
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...
Rosewood
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 pattern of water...
Glass
$9,895Sale Price / set|46% Off
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...
Bronze
Pair of Modern Flowers Sputnik Murano Glass Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Large contemporary Sputnik chandelier composed of precious hand blown Murano flowers art glasses with clear and white color. Available also a pair. Chromed steel spherical frame,...
Blown Glass
$920Sale Price|58% Off
H 21 in Dm 12 in
Art Deco Style White Milk and Red Glass Chandelier, Pendant or Lantern
Located in Plainview, NY
Art Deco style white milk and red glass chandelier, pendant or lantern A gorgeous handcrafted red and while pendant, having individual panes.The ...
Metal
$2,650
H 19 in Dm 12 in
Wonderful Vintage Caldwell Art Deco Silver Bronze Lantern Etched Glass Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pierced rims surround the beautiful etched glass of this charming silver lantern, with filigree detail on top and canopy. Measures: 19" H x 12" W.
Silver Plate, Bronze
Hand Carved Wooden and Yellow Glass One-Light Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This exquisite, hand-carved wooden lantern features yellow glass and originates from Belgium, circa the 1960s. Its masterful details include intricately carved acanthus leaves and fo...
Brass
$3,402
H 33 in Dm 9 in
Fontana Arte Style Blown Glass Brass Thee-Light Lantern or Pendant, Italy, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A gilt brass and blown smoked glass Fontara Arte style pendant or lantern with a central three-bulb candelabra cluster, Italy, 1950s. It takes three Edison E14 bulbs. Dimensions: O...
Brass
$6,734 / set
H 27.5 in Dm 12 in
Three Scandinavian Art Deco Theater Pendants Brass Hand-blown Opaline 1920-1930
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Set of three wonderful and rare ball pendants from the transition period from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, Scandinavia, 1920-1930. Hand-blown opaline glas sphere globes with beautifuly e...
Brass
Pair of Rare Venetian Murano Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Glass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of Rare Venetian Murano Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Glass and Brass Details, circa 1900 An extraordinary and rare pair of antique Venetian bell jar lanterns, masterfully craf...
Brass
Italian Midcentury Brass and Glass Pendant Lamp or Lantern, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous lantern or pendant lamp from the late Italian midcentury, made during the 1960s-1970s. The pendant lamp is made of transparent glass, the golden details are made of brass, ...
Brass
$4,490
H 19.69 in Dm 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Pendant Light Kalmar 'Tulipan', Glass Brass, 1970
By J.T. Kalmar, Mazzega, Kalmar Lighting, Orrefors, Venini
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic light fixture model Tulipan by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulipan derives from the tulip s...
Metal, Brass
Sabino Art Deco Lantern Chandelier Frosted Glass Nickeled Steel, France, 1920s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful Sabino attribution Art Deco lantern chandelier, single socket, standard incandescnet bulb, wattage variable, hardwired, and ready for use....
Steel, Chrome, Nickel
$4,160Sale Price|36% Off
H 43 in W 27 in D 27 in
Large Art Deco White Milk Glass Chandelier, Pendant or Lantern
Located in Plainview, NY
A gorgeous large Art Deco white milk glass handmade chandelier, pendant, or lantern. Handcrafted and having individual panes, the large Art D...
Metal
Scandinavian Art Deco Theater Pendant Brass Hand-blown Opaline 1920-1930
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Wonderful and rare ball pendant from the transition period from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, Scandinavia, 1920-1930. Hand-blown opaline glas sphere globe with beautifuly elaborate brass ...
Brass
A Pair of 19th century Bronze Lantern Ceiling Light Shades
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of 19th century Bronze Lantern Ceiling Light Shades This is a very rare pair, the shades originally came from oil lamps and would have been hung from long chains. The shades ...
Bronze
1910's Large Antique Copper Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Outstanding original solid copper outdoor lantern. Originally designed for gas. Completely converted to six (6) light electric. New glass. Comes...
Copper
The Florencia Pequeña Wicker Palm Tree Chandelier from the FS Flores Collection
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
The Florencia Pequeña faux palm leaf eight light chandelier or light fixture handcrafted with woven reed over a metal frame in a casual elegant form. Exclusively designed and manufac...
Metal
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...
Brass
British Colonial Style Mid-Century Tole Palm Tree Chandelier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style twelve light Italian tole or painted metal chandelier having a stylized palm leaf top over an oxidized center column with finial and twelve arms with stylized ...
Metal
19th Century Rare Cobalt Blue English Bell Jar Lantern Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Rare cobalt color. Made for candles, but will be wired with one big socket certified for each country. Bronze details. Original chain also intact measuring another 17 inches on top. ...
Bronze
Antique Etched and Silvered Lantern or Pendant
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual light fixture with a translucent silvered background having etched designs of ferns and flowers over a classic pendant bell jar form.
Glass
Three Large Wicker Palm Leaf Chandeliers
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Wicker eight-light palm leaf chandelier or light fixture hand formed and welded with a metal frame ambitiously hand wrapped in reed with a casual elegance. A sophisticated chandelier...
Wicker
Petite Classic Bell Jar Lantern w/ Acanthus Leaves Trim
Located in San Francisco, CA
A traditional style bell jar light fixture with a glass smoke cap and brass parts toned in bronze and gold. The rim is pressed with an acanthus ...
Brass
Large Wicker Palm Leaf Chandelier
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Wicker eight-light palm leaf chandelier or light fixture hand formed and welded with a metal frame ambitiously hand wrapped in reed with a casual ...
Wicker
Pair of Smoke Bell Light Fixtures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique pair of English bell jar pendant light fixtures or lanterns with classic form, smoke bell, brass hardware with adjustable stem and a hand blown glas...
Brass
Pair of Smoke Bell Lanterns or Pendants
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style pair of three light smoke bell lanterns or light fixtures with hand blown globes with acorn bottoms and metal hardware.
Blown Glass