Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
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 Asian Art and Furniture
Shell, Hardwood
18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Colombian Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Silver
19th Century Philippine Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
18th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
19th Century Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Paint, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
19th Century Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
1860s Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Wood, Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Silver Leaf
Mid-18th Century Japanese Antique Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
1940s Chinese Vintage Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas
1960s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Indonesian Spanish Colonial Asian Art and Furniture
Teak