Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
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.
20th Century Philippine Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Shell, Hardwood
18th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
19th Century Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
1940s Chinese Vintage Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Canvas
19th Century Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Wood
1960s Philippine Vintage Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Rattan
20th Century Japanese Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Stone
1960s Chinese Vintage Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Wood
1980s Asian Vintage Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
20th Century Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Enamel
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Paintings and Screens
Elm