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.
Ralph Lauren Villa America Mahogany Rattan Gondola Sleigh Bed
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A luxurious and rare labeled Ralph Lauren "Villa America" queen-sized gondola sleigh bed, crafted out of mahogany and split rattan. The English style bed features dramatic sleigh-for...
Rattan, Mahogany
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Super King Bed Frame in Faux Tortoise
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style super king bed with faux bamboo faux tortoise posts, borders, and applied geometric designs over a grasscloth background. Complet...
Faux Bamboo
Colonial Style Twin Bed Frame
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Colonial style twin bed frame made of maple. Turned baluster bed posts are topped with cannon ball finials, and support slightly scrolled head and foot ...
Maple
Tudor Bed in Traditional Stained Solid Cherry with Paneled Headboard and Ceiling
Located in Tiverton, RI
Impressive in its formal qualities and celebration of craft and detail this piece has a fully wood paneled ceiling and headend with large turned footposts.
Wood
Caribbean Mahogany Reeded and Barley Twist Four Poster Bed, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Caribbean mahogany four-poster bed with a carved decorative scrolled spindle head board and foot board, complimented by four reeded and barley twist...
Mahogany, Pine
$5,600Sale Price|25% Off
A British Colonial Teak Wood Queen-size Bed
Located in Chicago, IL
This British Colonial bed is crafted from richly grained teak in Rangoon, Burma. It dates to c.1940. The headboard and footboard display bold geometric carving with radiating fan mot...
Teak
$12,960Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st O'Connell I Bed Rattan Wood Leather Handmade in Portugal by Wood Tailors
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Daniel O'Connell was an Irish political leader and one of the most prominent figures in the fight for Irish independence during the 19th century. Known as "The Liberator," O'Connell ...
Brass
$10,828Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century O'Connell II Bed Wood Leather Handmade in Portugal by Wood Tailors
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Daniel O'Connell was an Irish political leader and one of the most prominent figures in the fight for Irish independence during the 19th century. Known as "The Liberator," O'Connell ...
Leather, Rattan, Wood
Superb Mahogany King Sized Four Poster Bed
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Superior quality antique Victorian king size four poster bed, of colonial Raj Anglo-Indian origin. C1880, comes complete with a top quality mattress, In excellent condition througho...
Mahogany
$4,500 / set
H 24.75 in W 24 in D 17 in
Pair of British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Side/ Night Tables w/ Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Handsome mid century pair of night stands or end tables. They are very well made of faux burnt bamboo and grass cloth The nightstands have three drawers in each and a geometric patte...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Wood
Georgian Carved Solid Cherry Wood Queen Size Poster Bed
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style four poster queen size bed USA, Late 20th Century Beautiful carved solid cherry wood, with brass accents. Measures: 65.5"W x 88.25"D x 68....
Brass
Chippendale Mahogany Four-Post Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
Chippendale style four-post bed US King, finest mahogany flame veneers and satinwood crossbanding on the head and footboard, high turned and reeded posts on ...
Mahogany
Provincial Carved Queen Size Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Provincial carved king size bed with an arched and molded upholstered headboard with scroll wings, an upholstered and hand car...
Wood
Classical Polished Queen Size Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classical style cross-banded Queen bed, the arched headboard of three cross-banded panels flanked by bound reeded carved columns, with a paneled low f...
Wood
$19,571
H 44.49 in W 64.97 in D 98.43 in
EXQUISITE LiMITED EDITION RALPH LAUREN MODERN METROPOLIS BROWN LEATHER BED FRAME
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this handmade in America, Ralph Lauren Modern Metropolis UK Qu...
Leather, Wood
Minimalist Modern Walnut Platform King Bed Frame, Judd Style
By Figure Ground, Donald Judd, George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An ode to our friend Donald Judd, this bed frame design employs the tatami style of Japanese Rooms and the Hygge of Danish comfort. The reveal is celebrated in its shadow as it rests closer to the ground. The base is composed of a plywood armature. It comes flat packable with installation instructions. Own a figure ground...
Plywood
Carved Mahogany Queen Four-Post Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A finely carved mahogany and figured mahogany rice queen's bed, the serpentine arched and molded edge headboard flanked by acanthus leaf and rice carved baluster turned posts with ur...
Mahogany
$3,995
H 85 in W 65.5 in D 90.75 in
Henredon Georgian Carved Mahogany Four-Poster Queen Size Canopy Bed
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style four poster queen size canopy bed By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Carved mahogany, with brass accents. Measures: 65.5"W x 90.75"D x 85"H. V...
Brass
Georgian Carved Solid Cherry Wood Queen Size Poster Bed
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style four poster queen size bed USA, Late 20th Century Beautiful carved solid cherry wood, with brass accents. Measures: 65.5"W x 88"D x 86.75"...
Brass
Exquisite Vintage Style Bed Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transform your bedroom into a sanctuary of style with this exquisite vintage bed frame. Crafted with care, its elegant design features intricate deta...
Wood
George III Mahogany and Gilt Four Post King Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A carved mahogany, flame mahogany veneered and parcel gilt four poster King bed, the arched headboard with a carved cornice and finely carved acan...
Mahogany
Art Deco Style Macassar Ebony Veneered King Bed Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
This stunning Headboard and Footboard with matching rails is simply magnificent. Unmarked, it bears a resemblance to Art Deco pieces by the esteemed maker Emile Jacques Ruhlmann. The...
Macassar
$15,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 58 in W 66 in D 116 in
Ralph Lauren Clivedon Tufted Black Leather Bed Queen Size
By Ralph Lauren
Located in North York, ON
Ralph Lauren designed Clivedon Queen bed, Neo-Classical sleigh bed with scroll headboard and footboard upholstered in tufted supple black leather. Brass claw foot details and gilt ac...
Brass
A Pair of French Louis XV Style Painted Twin Beds, C. 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Each bed features a painted frame with scrolling rococo-style carvings, including cabriole feet, shaped rails, and floral accents typical of the Louis XV revival. Both the headboard ...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 57 in W 42 in D 15 in
British Colonial Refinished Rattan Coastal Palm Tree Twin Headboards-Pair
By Tommy Bahama
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Presenting a charming pair of bamboo and rattan twin headboards, expertly refinished to restore their natural beauty while preserving their delightful tropical appeal. These headboar...
Rattan, Wood
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Cane Queen Bed Frame
By Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage British colonial style bed frame in bamboo and rattan.Great geometric pattern and two tone design. Space between side rails and headboard/ footboard is 62.5" x 81.5" Would ...
Faux Bamboo, Cane
King Size Teak & Caned Back Bed Frame by British Khaki
Located in Southampton, NY
King size teak & caned back bed frame by British Khaki British Colonial style design in teak and hand-caned headboard. Clean and classic style bed ...
Cane, Teak
Baker British Colonial Style Bamboo Queen Bed Frame
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style queen size bed frame crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with reed wrapped joints, lacquered panels with a crackle glaze, and bronze finials and feet. Signed Mil...
Bamboo, Reed
King Size British Colonial Style Bed by Martha Stewart for Bernhardt
Located in New York, NY
King Size British Colonial style bed, as part of Martha Stewarts Lily Pond Lane Collection, for Bernhardt. Faux bamboo turned wood trim, with burle...
Birdseye Maple, Maple
Sold
H 52 in W 67.25 in D 3 in
British Colonial Burnt Bamboo & Rattan Grasscloth Headboard Queen Size Bed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial tropical Palm Beach style faux burnt bamboo and grasscloth queen size bed frame with posts. Dimensions: 67.25 W x 52 H x 3 D. No dam...
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Rattan
Antique British Colonial West Indies Rosewood Queen Poster Bed
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable 19th century West Indies Queen size plantation poster bed handcrafted in rosewood having a carved headboard with an ocean wav...
Rosewood
Ralph Lauren King Bedframe British Colonial Mahogany
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Ralph Lauren 4 Post...
Mahogany
Sold
H 92 in W 83.25 in D 85.5 in
Vintage Palm Beach Faux Bamboo Chinese Chippendale Wood Bed Headboard King Size
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale wood king size bed. This includes headboard, 2 side rails, footboard and wood slats for mattress. Original ...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 91.5 in W 86 in D 99.5 in
Ralph Lauren Sheltering Sky British Colonial Oak King Barley Twist Poster Bed
By Ralph Lauren, Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Henredon for Ralph Lauren 1301-12 sheltering sky king size poster bed. Made from oak with British Colonial / West Indies styling. Features ornately carved acc...
Oak
19th Century West Indies Carved Mahogany 4 Post Bed “California King”
Located in Richmond, VA
Impressive 19th century West Indies carved mahogany 4 post bed professionally restored and converted to fit a California king mattress. Though we...
Mahogany
Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Queen Bed Frame
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style queen size bed frame with a faux bamboo frame having a faux tortoise finish and grasscloth panels with applied faux bamboo geometric designs. Inside Measur...
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
King Size Teak & Caned Bed Frame by British Khaki
By British Khaki
Located in Southampton, NY
King size teak & caned back bed frame by British Khaki British Colonial style design in teak and hand-caned headboard. Clean and classic style bed...
Cane, Teak
Baker Faux Bamboo Queen Size Headboard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Baker faux bamboo queen size headboard, American, circa 1960s. Connects to most Hollywood style bed frames.
Metal
Ralph Lauren Style Queen Size Carved Mahogany Poster Bed
By Ralph Lauren
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous carved mahogany four poster queen size bed In the manner of Ralph Lauren for Henredon Circa 1990s Measures: 68.25"W x 90"D x 90.5"H. Very good original vintage...
Mahogany