British Colonial Decorative Objects
BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE
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.
to
14
74
1
1
7
14
53
2
10
11
13
2
1
2
2
25,700
14,525
8,703
5,483
3,837
3,072
2,162
1,641
1,436
1,233
1,088
1,066
983
918
887
638
634
585
31
20
14
11
8
56
18
27
18
17
14
11
Height
to
Width
to
76
76
76
4
2
2
2
1
Style: British Colonial
Maitland Smith Mahogany Curio Golf Ball Display Wall Cabinet Case German Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare Maitland Smith curio cabinet. Made from naturally distressed mahogany with glass front opening to four shelves with brass tee shaped pedestals intended to display golf balls. The crown of the clock showcases crossed golf clubs over a German made clock...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage English 18K Gold Sterling Silver Coral Cigar Jewerly Keepsake Box
Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philan...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Coral, Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage John Derian Large Square Porcelain Lidded Jar with Birds and Foliage
By John Derian
Located in Doylestown, PA
Oversized, square porcelain hand-painted lidded jar in the shape of a tea caddy by John Derian with birds after the 18th century biological illustrations of naturalist George Edwards...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique English Copper Flagon Jug Vessel Pitcher Hallmark #2 C. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful Antique English Copper FLAGON, Pitcher, Vessel or Jug #2~~c. 1900
Excellent heavy copper flagon with hallmark
15" tall to top of handle
...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Godinger Silver Plate Scalloped Lidded Trinket Box
By Godinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely etched and scalloped silver plate trinket box - with a removable lid and lined in red velvet. The lid has an acorn finial.
A compli...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot
By SILVA (Sri Lanka)
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb Ceylonese porcupine quill lidded pot in a most unusual conical shape
Fashioned in dark wood and decorated with quill pieces
All quills are present and in excellent order. Int...
Category
1950s Sri Lankan Vintage British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Luggage Crocodile Skin Leather Suitcase, Colonial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique suitcase made of crocodile leather handstitched with leather lacing and secured with tacks, an attractive antique reptile skin suitcase with a...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Faux Leather
Maitland Smith Jockeys on Horse Bronze Equestrian Racing Statue 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith bronze two jockeys on horses equestrian racing statue featuring leather wrapped base.
Dimensions:
17.5" x 9.5" x 15" h
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique Sherwood & Wedge British Nautical Maritime Brass Onion Ship Oil Lanterns
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two antique Sherwood & Wedge "onion" navigational lamps featuring a cylindrical brass base, pierced top and fluted chimney cap, rotating wire bail handle, and simple wire cag...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Large White Table Coral Sculpture on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive white coral assemblage using an exceptionally large table coral specimen with its sea inspired color and textures. Presented on a lucite base to enhance the sculptural ele...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Solomon Islands British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Coral
Antique English Brass Planter Lion Heads Flowerpot Pub Scenes c.1930
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT Antique English Brass Planter Flower Pot Jardiniere with Lions Heads and Pub Scene~~c. 1930
Beautiful decorative brass planter~~excell...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Brass Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brass banana tree or palm tree sculpture with a custom burnished bronze like finish, removable leaves, a weighted base decorated with floral designs,...
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Very Large Bronze Elephant Sculpture, Near Life Size
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable elephant sculpture expertly crafted in bronze with a lush patina, ambitious attention to detail, and a dramatic near life size scale.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Mercury Glass Silvered Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of mercury glass silvered candlesticks.
Silvered mercury glass is mouth-blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution. The silvering is ...
Category
Late 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Mercury Glass
Pair of Mid-Century Palm Tree Decorative Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In vogue pair of mid-century stylized palm tree sculptures crafted in cast fiberglass. Painted in an off white finish and presented in faux planters filled with seashells.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Fiberglass
Leather Giraffe Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautifully hand crafted leather giraffe sculpture. Excellent decorative addition for any home. Expertly crafted.
19.5” tall
11” deep
4.5” wide
Would fit in traditional, British c...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
18th C. English Pine Curtis & Horspool London Act of Parliament Tavern Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
18th century monumental museum quality Act of Parlament clock. Made from pine with a large round face over elongated case. Features an enameled metal face marked Curis Horspool in Le...
Category
18th Century Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Decorative Desk Stand, Indian, Ebony, Colonial Writer's Tidy, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative desk stand. An Indian, ebony Colonial writer's tidy, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Striking dark tonality with eye-catching Colon...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony
Pair of Faux 'Elephant Tusk', Marble Bookends or Dresser Ornaments, 20th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of faux elephant tusk bookends or decorative ornaments for your desk, dresser or in front of your entrance hall mirror. They are constructe...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Maitland Smith Post Modern Zebra Hide Box 1980's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Post Modern 1980s Maitland Smith decorative box made of a square wood bottom covered in brown leather and top lid covered with zebra hide with a round polished brass and hyde p...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Zebra Hide
Antique English Staffordshire Porcelain Figurine Girl Seated on Waterfall Bird
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century staffordshire porcelain figure showing a young woman seated on the rocks above a waterfall with two birds.
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Three 18th Century Hand-Made Brass Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Three 18th Century Hand-Made Brass Candlesticks were designed to be functional yet attractive as they would remain in plain view all day, and only be utilized at night. Back in the days before electric lighting, candles were worth their weight in silver, as the process to make them was still laborious hand-labor, and the wax itself wasn't inexpensive. Many of our trunks from this period had separate cabinets inside the locked trunk...
Category
1770s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Carl Thieme German Dresden Footed Reticulated Baroque Compote 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Carl Thieme German Dresden centerpiece compote. Made of porcelain featuring high relief footed base and reticulated / pierced scalloped bowl with two colonial figures, a man...
Category
Early 20th Century German British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Rose Chintz Egg Shaped Ceramic Trinket Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage rose chintz egg shaped ceramic trinket box with hinged lid.
This 20th century vintage ceramic egg (Trinket Box) stands on shaped legs, i...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Italian Majolica Ceramic Bowl in the Shape of a Lion's Head 1960
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Italian handcrafted Majolica ceramic bowl, ashtray in the shape of a lion's head.
Decorate a shelf or a kitchen counter with this elegant Majolica bowl hand painted and is be...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
Located in Dallas, TX
Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece.
Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods.
This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony.
The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining.
This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!!
We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction.
ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins.
Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:-
(1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony, Wood
1 Large Mounted Sable Antelope Skull with Large Curved Ringed Horns / Antlers
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent, stunning African sable antelope with large curved ringed horns or antlers mounted on a wrought iron stand. The piece is mounted as a scul...
Category
20th Century African British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Pair of Eclectic 20th Century British Colonial Terracotta Elephants in Pale Pink
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta elephants from the early 20th century, India, with nicely rendered details. These eclectic statues have a very subtle, nicely aged, layer of pal...
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Carved Coral Bowl or Planter
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a large piece of bowl coral with its bleached white color and sea inspired texture, carved and repurposed as a bowl or planter.
Available only in the United States of Americ...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Coral
Pair of Sea Fan Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of sea fan sculptures crafted or dipped in silvered metal with amazing accuracy and presented on classic form lacquered stands. Signed Eduardo Garza...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Sterling Navette Form Dutch Scene Gilt Interior Tea Caddy British Import Mark
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A sterling silver navette form Dutch scene gilt interior tea caddy with British import mark, makers mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck, (Sheffield 1897). Decorated with couples in a t...
Category
1890s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Figura Lizardl Ostrich Egg Candlesticks by Redmile
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical yet refined pair of candlesticks with silvered metal acrobatic lizards holding ostrich eggs with candle holders on a classic base stamped Redmile London.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ostrich Eggshell
Carved Wood Colorful Life Size Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Extraordinary tall vintage palm tree sculpture handcrafted in wood carved and paint decorated with leaves, coconuts, trunk, and weighted terra firma base.
Category
20th Century Balinese British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Pair of English Brown Leather Boots with Shoe Trees
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of English brown leather riding boots with shoe trees
Category
20th Century British British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
A 19th Century Brass Bound Mandalay Teak Campaign Dressing Box, Burma Circa 1860
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
These boxes were made for British military officers who were posted in Burma (now Myanmar) & India during the days of British rule.
The brass & copper bound teak case is profusely ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
Vintage Boho Hand Painted Ceramic Military Figure
Located in west palm beach, FL
Bring a touch of refined whimsy and historical charm to your decor with this hand-painted vintage ceramic military figure. Dressed in an 18th-century style tricorne hat and regal blu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Faux Alligator Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tall vases ingeniously crafted in cast composition depicting alligator hide with brass like highlights.
Category
20th Century North American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Faux Leather
Majolica Boot Umbrella or Cane Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical midcentury Majolica or glazed terra cotta umbrella or cane Stand in the form of Italian military boots complete with tassels and spurs.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Massive Pair of Early 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Massive pair of early 19th century English candlesticks.
Category
1810s English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Colonial 18th Century Vizagapatam Pen-Engraved Writing Desk with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Vizagapatam pen-engraved veneered sandalwood portable writing desk with silver mounts
India, Coromandel coast, Visakhapatnam, circa 1875
...
Category
18th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Sandalwood, Bone
Facing Pair of Early to Mid-20th Century Regal, Majolica Lion Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of very regal seated Majolica lions, a white glaze over a terracotta base, great condition, with some of the terracotta showing through the glaze,...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Large Pencil Reed Rattan Floor Vase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury floor vase crafted in pencil reed with a Classic form and warm lush finish.
Category
20th Century Italian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Reed
Antique 19th century English Document Storage Box, Monogrammed L.B. Elliott
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique 19th century British pine document box with iron handles, monogrammed L.B. Elliott on a brass plaque on the top. Handcrafted with solid dovetail construction and a...
Category
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Iron
Leather Stuffed Elephant
Located in Huntington, NY
Faux ivory tusks.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Straw
Antique English Pewter Plate
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pewter plate made in England by unknown manufacturer.
An good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful p...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Pair of British Colonial Terracotta Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta lions. This majestic pair of painted terracotta lions from the early 20th century will bring an air of regalness to any room.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
British Colonial Wood Column on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom Stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, ...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Antique Indonesian Wood Lacquered Box
Located in Austin, TX
Antique hand-painted and lacquered wooden box with removable tray, from Indonesia. The interior compartments are amply sized. There are some small...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Castilian Ornamental Porcelain & Brass Elephant Horn Drinking Hunt Vase 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornamental hunt theme drinking horn / centerpiece trophy / cornucopia epergne / flower vase featuring a tapered pedestal base with brass capped feet and circus Elephant balancing a porcelain horn or tusk. Stamped on base, Item No. 4052-C4A. Castilian Imports...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Set di 4 Candelieri da altare. BRONZO E OTTONE.
Located in Cantù, IT
Set di 4 Candelieri da altare. BRONZO E OTTONE. set di 4 candelieri di altissima qualità artigianale con dettagli vintage e design unico.
Created and designed by Mice di Domenico Ru...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Set Of Two John Derian Jungle Animals Porcelain Lidded Jars
By John Derian
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 20th century porcelain jungle-themed lidded jars by New York designer, John Derian. Elegant vases feature multiple jungle animals including elephants, tigers, monkeys and zeb...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
1900s Old English Liquor Flask & Cup
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old English silver liquor flask & cup
figural relief hunting castle
5.5 tall x 3.75 w x 1.5 d Cup 2.38 tall x 1.5 diameter
cap serves as a cup
Preowned vintage condition.
Numbered a...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Leather Elephant Sculpture
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Hand made leather elephant sculpture. Original condition. Likely an Anglo-Indian era import. Faux ivory tusks.
Would make a great adornment to a bookshelf or desk. Would fit well i...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
Large Carved Arab Sculpture with Coffee and Pipe, Vienna, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A masterly carved wooden statue of an Arab drinking coffee and smoking his pipe. An antique shop window decoration from a coffee shop or a tobacco ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Hand Painted Porcelain Parrot Vases
By John Derian
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual rectangular porcelain flower vases decorated on both sides with hand painted tropical colored varying parrot species. The opening on the tops is divided into three sections f...
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Tole Military Hat Trade Sign on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Trade sign depicting an 18th century British officer's hat with a weathered finish and presented on a custom Lucite stand.
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Tôle
Elizabeth Arden Porcelain Box Southern Heirlooms Made In Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Southern Heirlooms Elizabeth Arden Trinket Box Porcelain Octagonal Shaped.
Southern Heirlooms Trinket Box Made in Japan.
Southern Heirlooms Eliza...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese British Colonial Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
British Colonial decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c., Dresden Porcelain, and Europa Antiques. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $25,000 while the average work can sell for $1,894.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Signa
Antique Silver Calling Card Case
Antique Sterling Silver Calling Card Case
Art Noves Ceramics
Arts And Crafts Diamond Mirror
Atom Model
Baccarat Crystal Dolphin
Beck Marble
Mentawai Hand Carved
Mid Century Italian Cigarette Boxes Stone
Robert Kuo Rock Crystal
Verlys Bird
Vintage Copper Flag
3 Clock Set By Tiffany
African Terracotta Pot
Airplane Phone
Amphora Figurine
Anish Kapoor Sculpture