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British Colonial Credenzas

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.

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Style: British Colonial
Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Credenza / Sideboard
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This Mid-Century credenza embodies natural materials and practical design with a coastal and British Colonial influence. The top, front, and sides feature basketweave cane veneer in ...
Category

1970s Vintage British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century British Colonial Rosewood Display Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
19th century Goa rosewood display cabinet with sunburst design on doors. Two small drawers with three large below. Keys included.
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Rosewood

19th C. Anglo Indian Regency Carved Mahogany & Padouk Sideboard / Credenza
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal Anglo Indian Regency Carved Mahogany & Padouk Sideboard / Credenza was handmade in the Nineteenth Century. The British Colonial Sideboard is hand carved solid mahogany an...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Mahogany, Padouk

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19th century biedermeier display cabinet
Located in Penzance, GB
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1820s Austrian Antique British Colonial Credenzas

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Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood and Brass Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Romweber USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burled Carpathian elm wood, with brass trim and origi...
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Brass

John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Burl Wood Sideboard Credenza
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this gorgeous walnut credenza made by mount airy furniture company designed by John Stuart.
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1960s Unknown Vintage British Colonial Credenzas

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Walnut

1960's Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Walnut Credenza / Sideboard
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Midcentury Modern Brutalist credenza for sale. From the 1960's, and has the original finish still beautifully intact. It's made of walnut with a walnut finish, and is really ...
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Renaissance Revival Oak Credenza/Sideboard From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Renaissance Revival Oak Credenza/Sideboard from the Late 19th Century A massive oak credenza/sideboard in the Neo-Renaissance style, dated to Q4 of the 19th century. The base of the...
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Late 19th Century European Antique British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Oak

Bamboo and Rattan Credenza, Italy 1960s
Located in Naples, IT
Three-door sideboard made of rattan and hand-woven bamboo. Colored details, 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Vintage British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Bamboo and Rattan Credenza, Italy 1960s
Bamboo and Rattan Credenza, Italy 1960s
H 31.5 in W 11.82 in D 59.06 in
John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Burl Wood Sideboard Credenza
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Burl Wood Sideboard Credenza. Designed by the MCM icon John Stuart , the sideboard is finely crafted by the renowned Mount Air...
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Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

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Walnut, Burl

Mastercraft Style Mid Century Black Lacquer and Brass Sideboard Credenza Cabinet
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Mastercraft style sideboard credenza. This gorgeous sideboard features a very elegant design with a chic black lacquered finish, and polished brass detail stripes wrapping around t...
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Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

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Brass

Cabinet 19th Century, Napoleon III Period, Style Boulle
Located in Warsaw, PL
This wooden cabinet is designed in the Boulle style. This style was very popular around the time of Napoleon III. The characteristic of this style is the use of small pieces of wood in furniture, inlaid designs with many different materials: precious wood, precious stones, enamel, ivory, seashells, metal, marble etc. In addition, to express the royal style, the "Boulle" style also uses a large amount of gilded copper on the furniture, such as tiger claw decoration, mirror border decoration, leaf decoration, etc. The main elementsof this cabinet is ebony and turtle shell, with decorative details and gilded legs. This is a pretty prominent highlight in the overall black and gold color scheme. Moreover, the head of a woman is in the middle of the cabinet with waves in her hair and grape vines could be representing the Greek goddes of spring Spring. Surrounding the head are beautiful acanthus motifs incorporated in every layer and surface of the cabinet. Symmetricallly on the left and right side of the head are two identical faces, with one being the lock of the cabinet where key goes. The four corners of the cabinet have blooming carnations to create a feeling of spring coming. The details are collaged, decorated with golden bronze leaves in a classic French style. On the edges of the cabinet are sculptures of two women wrapped around with cloth and leaves. Through it, the author highlights the beauty of the woman's status in the past. On the side panels of the cabinet is placed a gilded face of a man with wings...
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19th Century French Antique British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Bronze

Teak Mid Century MODERN CREDENZA / Sideboard Ebonized Base, c. 1960’s
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid Century Modern Teak Credenza, Made in Denmark, c. 1960’s. This gorgeous credenza is truly one of a kind, featuring gorgeous wood grains and an ebonized base with brass capped leg...
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1960s Vintage British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Storage Cabinet Credenza in Woven Rattan and Bamboo, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful storage cabinet in bamboo canes and woven rattan. This stunning organic cabinet was produced in Italy in the 1970s and is attributed to a Dal Vera production. It feature...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Chinoiserie Display Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century chinoiserie display cabinet with glass shelves, two hidden drawers, and opening to two bottom doors.
Category

19th Century English Antique British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
19th Century Anglo-Indian Colonial Carved Rosewood Dresser
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A mid 19th century, Victorian period, British colonial, Anglo-Indian carved and pierced serpentine sideboard in solid rosewood. The front is mounted with four hinged doors with dome shaped panelled doors enclosing shelves. All resting on six small, carved claw feet. Warm rich colour and patina! Exceptional quality!! The dimensions are: Height: 127cm (50.0in) Width: 142cm (55.9in) Depth: 42cm (16.5in) A good piece of carved solid rosewood antique furniture...
Category

19th Century British Antique British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Rosewood

Baker Furniture Welsh Inlaid Oak Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional welsh style sideboard, credenza, or console By Baker Furniture USA, 20th century Carved oak, with inlaid starburst marquetry and original brass hardware. M...
Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Campaign Style Triple Dresser attrib to Kipp Stewart for Directional
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive midcentury Campaign style triple dresser or chest crafted with well grained mahogany in a chic asymmetrical form with six drawers and a cabinet with three drawers inside, ...
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20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Bamboo and Grasscloth Sideboard or Credenza
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stand out five-door sideboard with a multi layer bamboo frame and grasscloth panels on the top, sides and front. The lush interior is mahogany with plenty of storage.
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20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo, Mahogany

Bernhardt Flame Mahogany Sideboard Buffet
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning flame mahogany sideboard buffet by Bernhardt. The sideboard features gorgeous flame mahogany wood grain and nice carved deta...
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Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

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Felt, Mahogany

20th Century Sri Lankan Display Cabinet with Single Door
Located in San Marino, CA
Mid-20th century Sri Lankan cabinet with three glass sides and a solid back. One single door with two latches.
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20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Credenzas

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Glass

Midcentury Solid Cherrywood Sideboard Credenza by Willet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous midcentury cherrywood sideboard credenza by Willet. The sideboard features stunning wood grain and quality American construction in solid Elswick cherry. It offers ample s...
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1950s American Vintage British Colonial Credenzas

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Brass

Burnt Bamboo and Grass Cloth British Colonial Style Dresser
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury burnt bamboo and grass cloth double dresser or chest of drawers, featuring six large drawers for plenty of storage, a faux tortoiseshell finish and inset brass campaign ha...
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Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

Mid Century British Colonial Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Dresser or Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury British Colonial style burnt bamboo and grass cloth double dresser or chest of drawers with six drawers. The top, sides, and drawer fronts are grass cloth bordered and geo...
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20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Credenza or Sideboard
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome midcentury British Colonial style credenza or sideboard featuring a faux bamboo and grass cloth facade that gives this bow front serving piece an organic casual elegance. A rare form in bamboo, this pieces also works well in an Anglo Indian, West Indies and Tropical decor. Rattan, cane furniture...
Category

20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

Mid-Century Faux Bamboo Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a six-drawer Mid-Century chest crafted with grass cloth and faux bamboo or rattan. The organic texture and materials blend well with the simple geometric lines and perfect pr...
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20th Century American British Colonial Credenzas

British Colonial credenzas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique British Colonial credenzas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage credenzas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial credenzas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original credenzas, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, 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 credenzas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,500 and tops out at $4,600 while the average work can sell for $4,116.

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