Find many varieties of an authentic Spanish colonial shelf available at 1stDibs. A Spanish colonial shelf — often made from
wood,
walnut and
metal — can elevate any home. There are 15 variations of the antique or vintage Spanish colonial shelf you’re looking for, while we also have 3 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer Spanish colonial shelf, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A Spanish colonial shelf is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in
Baroque styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Spanish colonial shelf over the years, but those crafted by
Dos Gallos Studio,
Drexel and
Bernhardt are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
After the conquest of Mexico in 1521 and the Philippines in 1565, Spain dictated a global culture. The colonization of territories in the Americas, Western Europe, Africa, Oceania and the Pacific imposed the values of Spain, including Catholicism, while the extraction of resources reinforced the empire’s wealth and power. Unlike many styles that came out of European colonialism, such as British Colonial, Spanish Colonial furniture and architecture frequently mixed local heritage with the artistic traditions of Spain.
Spanish Colonial furniture was informed by the shifting styles of Europe as well as Indigenous culture. There were Inca tapestries depicting Spanish coats of arms and Baroque chairs adorned with tropical flora. The butaca, a low easy chair popular in the Caribbean, was inspired by Rococo’s curving forms and the shape of precolonial seating. In New Mexico, Pueblo artisans carved chests with patterns reminiscent of Anasazi art.
Even within the homes of the wealthy, furniture was usually restricted to necessities like benches, desks, cupboards and chests. These were often ornately designed and especially important for storing prized goods like textiles. Spanish Colonial houses were built with adobe and clay and tended to be minimally decorated, so the style’s heavily carved wooden furniture pieces stood out against a home’s white stucco walls.
The Spanish Colonial period mostly came to an end after the territories achieved independence from Spain. However, its aesthetics continued to influence Southwestern style and Spanish Colonial Revival style after Spanish Colonial style was used extensively at San Diego’s 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Find a collection of antique Spanish Colonial chairs, tables, bedroom furniture and other furniture on 1stDibs.