Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
SPANISH COLONIAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Spanish Colonial
Antique Spanish Colonial Carved Ship Prow Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
Scarce Spanish Colonial era wooden boat prow. circa 1800
Born around the late 18th / early 19th century, this large sculptural hand-carved architectural salvaged ornamental ship element features a distinctive wave shape with curling volute, incised carving with decorative round medallion, and highly desirable heavily worn and weathered patina!
A superb example, museum quality, the artistic Folk Art work makes for a wonderful decorative object, intriguing cultural sculpture...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
18th/19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Polychrome Wood Santo Altar Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive antique Spanish Colonial hand carved polychromed wood Santo Catholic church altar figure. circa 1800
Hand-crafted in the late 18th / early 19th century, exceptionally executed intricate detailing, the large scale antique religious sculpture depicting the female Saint Teresa of Avila, polychrome painted gesso over finely sculpted wood, inset glass eyes, shown in Carmelite nun habit...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Wood and Iron Stirrups
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of late 18th early 19th century South American carved wooden stirrups. Known as estribos, each are carved from a solid block of wood. Decorated with wonderful carvings of horse heads and grape vines, these are truly charming pieces. With wrought iron stirrup rings and the original leather straps. Rich chocolate patina that only comes from age and use. Worn by Chilean huasos, highly skilled horsemen akin to America's cowboys.
Prized by collectors of horse memorabilia...
Category
1790s Chilean Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century wood Santos of a boy/child with glass eyes and articulated arms.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This charming piece has been in my collection for over 40 years. The articulated arms and glass eyes contribute to its charm and personality. I have always felt it signified a sense ...
Category
Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Wood, Paint
Spanish Colonial, Painted Wooden Crucifix of Christ on a Stylized Tree
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This carved wooden crucifix of Christ on a stylized tree form, is Guatemalan or Mexican, likely created in the late 1800s by a naive artist of the peri...
Category
Late 19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Guatemalan Carved Wood Altar Figure of Angel (Gabriel), 18th century
Located in Austin, TX
Symbolism and craftsmanship aside, this Guatemalan Carved Wood Altar Figure of the Angel Gabriel from the 18th century holds within it an immense...
Category
18th Century Guatemalan Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Pair of Large Scale Italian Figural Candlesticks, Polychromed and Gilded
Located in Dallas, TX
a large scale pair of Italian polychromed, carved and gilded figural candlesticks in the form of angels, Italy. 18th century
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Santos with Glass Eyes
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century hand-carved Santos with inset glass eyes and original gesso paint surface. On custom museum display stand. Base measures 6" x 6".
Category
Late 19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Late 19th Century Carved Spanish Colonial Christ Nino Santo with Glass Eyes
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century carved baby Jesus Santos with glass eyes and custom display stand. Handmade with carved wood and gesso. Glass inset eyes. Left and r...
Category
19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gesso, Wood
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Previously Available Items
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19th Century Santos or Saint Ex-Voto Carved Polychrome Wood Arm & Hand Offering
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Possibly 19th Century hand-carved wood arm & hand with Polychrome, Ex-Voto offering. Handpainted forearm Exvoto - 1857. In the style of a Santos arm, religious relic, fork art carved hand. Mexican Art. carved hand model, hand fetish, hand artist model.
Ex-Votos are offered when miracles are sought and also given in thanks for recovery. They commonly take the shape of human body parts, hearts and animals, and are made to represent the part or creature affected by illness or healed by divine intervention.
From the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, daughter of the famous St. Louis painter Fred Conway, and was a passionate art collector, included in her collection were Calder Sculptures, Max Beckman...
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Wood
H 2 in W 7.38 in D 1.75 in
Vintage Spanish Colonial Style Articulated Large Virgin Mary Santos Sculpture
Located in Centennial, CO
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Antique Spanish Colonial Archangel Polychrome Wood Santo Carving
Located in Forney, TX
Antique religious Spanish Colonial hand carved and painted archangel santo altar figure. circa 1800
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Large 18th Century Processional Crucifix, Cristo de Caña, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large 18th century Processional Crucifix, Cristo de Caña, Mexico.
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18th Century Carved Large Santos Madonna
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19th Century Polychrome Nino Santo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully carved and sculptured polychrome nino. Glass eyes. Has a metal crown that sits on his head but is not the original. We believe that he held a staff in one hand and a glob...
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19th Century Guatemalan Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
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19th Century Spanish Colonial Bulto Figure of St. Anthony Holding Baby Jesus
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Mexican Colonial figure of St. Anthony holding the Christ Child is made of carved wood with a blue/black, cream and gold painted finish that is hi...
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Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
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H 14 in W 5.5 in D 4.5 in
Fine Pair of Early Spanish Colonial Carved Paint and Parcel Gilt Angels
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The early 19th century angels standing 13 inches tall with individualized facial expressions resting on square wooden bases with hands folded in prayer wearing beautifully carved robes.
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Early 19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
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19th Century Portable Shrine of Santiago Matamoros, St. James
By Laguna Santero
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A small Bulto of Santiago Matamoros mounted on his customary white horse, set inside a soft-pink painted wood box (portable shrine) with charming, pink...
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Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
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Spanish Colonial sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Spanish Colonial sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, gesso and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Spanish Colonial sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are South America, Central America, and Chile pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $8,600 while the average work can sell for $2,675.