Spanish Colonial Antiquities
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.
17th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Wood
Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Wood
19th Century Russian Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Bronze, Enamel
1930s German Vintage Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Brass, Chrome
1890s American Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Wood
19th Century American Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Gesso, Wood, Paint
1920s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Marble, Chrome
Late 19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Wood
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Granite
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Faience
20th Century Central American Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Metal
1890s Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Antiquities
Steel