The origin of the East India Companies furniture is riddled with controversy. Most believe the opinion of Le Comte de Salvère, the former patron of Antiquarians in France. The East India Companies including the British, Dutch, Swedish & French amongst others, were formed and charged with creating trade routes with all countries to the east of the Cape of Good Hope and to the west of the Straits of Magellan. The first to be formed was the British in 1600, quickly followed by the Dutch in 1602 and later in the century by the French in 1664. Some of the East India Companies established by the different colonial powers operated for over two hundred years. Financial difficulties lead to the dissolution of The French East India Company in 1769, leaving history to appreciate this unique furniture style.

Salvère's was of the opinion that when soldiers from foreign colonies were posted to far away parts of India (Pondicherry, Karichal, Mahe, Chandernagore and Mumbai), they were nostalgic for their furniture which they had left behind in Europe. The soldiers therefore felt the need to produce sketches which were then passed on to the talented Indian Artisans to reproduce. The Artisans also began adding their own touch of creativity to the furniture.

Collectors all over the world look at the East Indian Company furniture as a marvellous blend of different cultures making it this special style of furniture we see today. For example, you may see Louis XV furniture with a Hindu Temple-shaped cornice or a cabinet of Louis Philippe style decorated with Empire motifs; there are different juxtapositions depending on the artisans' inspiration. The artisans commonly used tropical fruit such as pineapples and mangoes in their designs. The woods used were always rich hardwood species such as Rosewood, Ebony, Teak and Mahogany.

Mauritius has very few examples of the French style East India Company furniture. A cupboard and the bed of Mahé de Labourdonnais, found at the Mahebourg Museum, are amongst the rare examples. However, there are many fine examples of British influenced furniture, especially of the Regency period. A French twist is often found adorning doors with Breton motifs such as the "Soleil Breton", lilies and or palmettos.