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.
Vintage Hotel Ritz Madrid Linen Table Napkins in Red and White, Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A rare set of four linen table napkins from the iconic Hotel Ritz Madrid. This vintage set includes four table napkins in white, each stamped with the Hot...
Linen
Vintage Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Decanter and Goblet Set, 1970
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A charming vintage Spanish ceramic decanter and goblet set from Puente del Arzobispo, Toledo, one of Spain’s historic pottery centers. The set is hand-painted with traditional floral...
Ceramic
$163 / set
H 7.09 in Dm 3.15 in
Lilì and Lulù Oil and Vinegar Set in Mouth Blown Glass by Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Lilì and Lulù make up a set of oil and vinegar dispensers, this couple of characters is made in mouth blown glass with a grooved finishing. Lilì and ...
Blown Glass
Gaetano Pesce Set of Table 4 Mates Placemats Resin Purple Turquoise
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - clear purple, matt turquoise Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RES...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Resin Cherry Bronze
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - Matt cherry, bronze Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESIN These ...
Resin
$522 / item
H 3.75 in W 8.27 in D 9.26 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini The Fisherman Napkins Tray in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Napkins holder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric an...
Brass
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Resin Red Gold
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - matt red, gold Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESIN These piece...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Resin Blue Lime
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - Clear blue, matt lime Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESIN Thes...
Resin
$522 / item
H 3.15 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Walkman Napkins Tray in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Napkins holder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric an...
Brass
$228 / item
H 2.37 in W 1.58 in D 2.37 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini Napkin Holder 1 in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Napkin holder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and...
Brass
$1,164Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in W 18.12 in D 13.19 in
Spanish Hand Painted Polychromed Floral Tole Tray
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish hand-painted black metal decorative tole tray, 1930s Victorian style Tole tray with polychrome hand-painted floral and bird motif on a black lacquered background. Lovely to b...
Metal
Contemporary Woven Rattan Napkin Holder in Coral
Located in Toronto, ON
Uplift your table with this stunning handwoven rattan napkin holder. Finely crafted by expert artisans, this piece showcases the classical technique of weaving in a modern way. From ...
Rattan
Pink Linen Dinner Napkins, Set of 10
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of ten (10) fine pink linen dinner napkins, circa 20th century. Napkins are solid pink. A great set for indoor or outdoor dining includi...
Linen
Gaetano Pesce Set of 4 Table Mates Placemats Resin Blue Orange
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Table-Mates - clear blue, matt orange Set of 4 placemats in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Dimensions: L 50cm x H 38.5cm Material: RESIN Th...
Resin