Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
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.
19th Century Philippine Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century North American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
18th Century Guatemalan Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Gesso, Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Chilean Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Late 19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Early 19th Century Chilean Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Late 19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Gesso, Wood
19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Gesso, Wood
Late 17th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
19th Century American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Gesso, Wood, Paint
2010s Turkish Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Statuary Marble
2010s Turkish Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Statuary Marble
1880s German Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Pine, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Linen, Fruitwood
19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Metal
18th Century European Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Gesso, Wood, Paint
2010s Turkish Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Statuary Marble
18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Paste
Mid-19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Hardwood, Paint
18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
19th Century Guatemalan Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Metal
Early 19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
String, Wood, Paint, Paper, Paste
Late 19th Century Guatemalan Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Paint, Wood
19th Century Unknown Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Wood