Anglo-Indian

Cross-cultural integration became a pivotal byproduct of the expanding British Empire in the Indian subcontinent, extending to the realms of art, craft, and architecture. One of the key sites of synthesis was within the domestic sphere, merging aesthetics with functionality, in what came to be popularly known as Anglo-Indian furniture.

 

Ranging from bureaus, almirahs, chairs, consoles, tables, four-poster beds and more, these tropical hardwood pieces embodied a unique design language. They were a fusion of rich Western ornamentation with local design forms, executed by expert Indian craftspeople. These pieces soon adorned the homes of the growing elite, zamindars, British officers, and even journeyed their way to the English market during the colonial period.