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.
Late 19th Century British Colonial Style Safari Wicker Rattan Storage Chest
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
An exceptionally rare and wonderfully eccentric Late 19th Century British Colonial style safari storage chest or trunk featuring woven wicker cladding, bentwood scroll detailing, fau...
Rattan, Wood, Plywood
English Oak Blanket Chest / Box c.1680
Located in Pomona, CA
An original Oak Blanket Box from 168's0 England. Hand carved to the front. Simple blanket chest design from the late 17th. century. Still retains the interior candle box. The side ha...
Oak
Victorian Pine and Iron Bound Sea Chest, Iron Bound Silver chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A large Victorian pine and iron bound sea or silver chest. This the heaviest and best quality box that you can imagine, it has heavy iron banding on the outside, a superb and lar...
Pine
Early 20th C. Rawleys Brass and Leather Bound On Canvas Wardrobe Trunk
Located in Germantown, MD
A well kepth Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century Rawleys Brass and Leather Bound On Canvas rolling Wardrobe Trunk in great antique condition. Solid brass fitting throughout, har...
Brass
Antique Teak Travel Trunk with Removable Organization Tray
Located in New York, NY
Antique 19th century Teak Travel Chest Trunk. This is a beautifully preserved antique British Colony solid teak travel trunk featuring an exceptionally intricate internal storage sy...
Teak
Early 20th Century Henry Likly Wood Bound On Canvas Packing Trunk
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Wood Bound On Canvas Packing Trunk. Measuring 38" in width, 22" in depth and 13" in height.
Leather, Canvas
Hand Carved with Bone Marquetry Chest with Brass Onlay
Located in New York City, NY
The Splendor Chest showcases the mastery of traditional bone inlay, featuring hand-carved camel bone flowers arranged in a precise diamond grid across its surface. Each flower is met...
Brass
Mid 19th Century Brass Bound Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk, England
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful Mid 19th Century Camphor Wood Military Campaign Trunk, Of Rare Small Proportions, Having Well Figured Lift Up Lid Enclosing Storage Space, Original Brass Bound Decoration And Original Brass Handles. Its widely accepted that trunks like this were normally purposed for army use, often given into the ownership of high ranking officers to use for their travels around the various battlegrounds and territories of the empire around the world, hence the carrying handles and the brass banded decoration, which also serves the functional purpose of protecting the item from bumps and bashes during the numerous times it would have been transported. In modern day living this trunk would make a perfect coffee table boasting signifcant storage, or could also be used as a storage chest in many locations around the home including the hallway, living room or bedroom. The trunk is also a little smaller than a large amount which yuou will find on the market, which of course allows for it to be used in an even wider variety of spaces. The trunk has also been inspected in our workshops by our expert antique...
Other
English Chinoiserie Painted Pine Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
An English pine chest with painted chinoiserie decoration added in the mid 19th century.
Wood
$1,547Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 37.8 in D 25.2 in
Antique Travel Trunk, English, Pine, Zinc Lined, Carriage Chest, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique travel trunk. An English, pine and zinc lined carriage chest dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900. A substantial, appealing ...
Zinc
$2,400
H 17 in W 44 in D 17.75 in
Green-Painted Sailor's Sea Chest (Seaman's Box), Pine With Original Surface
Located in Houston, TX
A classic 19th century sailor’s sea chest, or seaman’s box, embodying the honest utility and quiet character of maritime life. Constructed in pine, the chest features a long, low rec...
Pine, Paint
Vintage Large Royal Robe Art Deco Standing Wardrobe Steamer Travel Trunk
By Royal Robe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage large Royal Robe Art Deco standing wardrobe steamer travel trunk. Listing includes interior drawers, heavy quality construction, rolling casters, or...
Metal, Brass
Welsh Sailor's Sea Chest
Located in Woodbury, CT
Welsh sailor's sea chest with canted sides. Painted red chest has black canvas top embossed with brass studs forming anchors to the corners. Carved Becket handle supports bearing i...
Brass
$2,004
H 22.45 in W 39.38 in D 20.48 in
1850s Antique Country Traveling Trunk Chest in Solid Pine Wood Restored
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1850s antique country traveling trunk chest in solid pine wood restored and polished to wax Measures cm: H 57 x W 100 x D 52.
Fir
$1,147Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.59 in W 31.5 in D 16.34 in
Antique Merchant's Tool Chest, English, Pine, Craftsman's Trunk, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique merchant's tool chest. An English, stained pine craftsman's trunk, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Pleasingly r...
Pine
19th Century American Dome Top Travel Storage Trunk, Refurbished
Located in Germantown, MD
This antique dome-top trunk, commonly referred to as a camelback or humpback chest, features embossed metal filigree panels and wood slats. Trunk on 4 original metal casters. The ex...
Metal, Tin
Antique Wooden Storage Chest, France, Late 18th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This storage chest originates from France and dates to the late 18th century, reflecting a vernacular furniture tradition shaped by function, durability, and regional practice. Its c...
Wood
$1,650
H 23 in W 52 in D 24.5 in
19th Century Hardwood Asian Storage Chest with Elaborate Brass Metalwork
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Asian hardwood storage chest with elaborate brass metalwork, including large interior hinges and corner supports, two brass side handles, a large decorative lock, and round br...
Brass
$4,995
H 23.5 in W 38.25 in D 26 in
19th Century Antique Colonial Rustic Pine Carpenter’s Tool Chest or Coffee Table
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome antique Colonial or Rustic pine carpenter’s tool chest, trunk, or coffee table composed of a solid pine frame with dovetail joints, hand forged iron bail handles and hardware...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 22.5 in W 46.75 in D 22.5 in
Antique British Colonial Hardwood and Brass Monogrammed Travel Trunk
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful and unique antique late 1800s or early 1900s British Colonial women's travel trunk. Handcrafted out of an Asian hardwood from the British colonies in China or India. What...
Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in W 34.26 in D 20.08 in
Large Antique Vintage Wicker Theatre Film Prop Storage Basket Trunk Box
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Large Vintage Wicker Theatre Prop Basket Trunk A fantastic wicker basket salvaged from a prop department. The basket retains possibly its original owners name stencilled on the fron...
Wicker
19th Century Brass Bound Camphor Chest
Located in Sherborne, GB
19th century camphor chest circa 1880 in wonderful untouched condition retaining all of its brass strap work, carrying handles and lock with original working key, the chest also reta...
Brass
British Colonial Style Teak Linen Chest Trunk Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
A large Bristish Colonial style teak linen chest, circa 1950s. Solid brass lift handles and hardware. This trunk served as a coffee table for multiple generations of a family who use...
Brass
Sold
H 17.72 in W 25.6 in D 14.57 in
WWII British Military Antique Vintage Wicker Pannier Basket Hamper
Located in Stockbridge, GB
WWII British Military Antique Wicker Pannier Basket Hamper This original World War II mule pannier basket is constructed from wicker with a zinc-lined interior. The top is covered i...
Wicker
Sold
H 16 in W 24 in D 16 in
Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Sheesham Blanket Trunk Chest Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century British Colonial style Sheesham wood blanket storage chest or coffee table. Features a beautiful two tone finish with iron hardware. Dimensions: 16" x 24" x 16"h
Hardwood
19th Century Small Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A small late 19th century camphor wood brass bound travelling chest or trunk with brass mounts and brass carrying handles. Warm rich colour and patina. The dimensions are: Height: 33cm (13.0in) Width: 73cm (28.7in) Depth: 36.5cm (14.4in) This camphor wood storage chest...
Other
Sold
H 29 in W 49.5 in D 25 in
Antique British Colonial Camphor Brass Banded Campaign Sea Chest Storage Trunk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English / British Colonial campaign trunk or chest, circa 1850s. Made of camphor featuring rectangular form with upper storage trunk and lower drawers. Accented with brass ba...
Brass
Antique Wooden Long Bench / Blanket Chest British Colonial Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Interior designers know how hard it is to find long benches or attractive blanket / storage chests - and this amazing antique piece fits the bill for both needs. At a huge 72" le...
Wood
Sold
H 18.71 in W 82.88 in D 23.43 in
Large Antique Blanket Coffer, English, Oak, Chest, Window Seat, Edwardian, 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique blanket coffer. An English, oak chest or window seat with Gothic revival taste, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Pleasingly presented in the Got...
Oak
Mahogany and Ebonized Rosewood Trunk, Colonial British
Located in Nantucket, MA
A Colonial British mahogany trunk with ebonized rosewood along the borders. Brass handles and escutcheon. Small interior box on one side and turned f...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Pericles Sailing Vessel Lidded Hand-Painted Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Chest depicts the Pericles, Aberdeen built sailing vessel. Ship was built in 1877, chest is mid 19th century and I'm guessing the painting was done 50-7...
Wood