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.
1960s Mexican Dresser Mirror
Located in New Windsor, NY
Sweet Spanish Colonial carved dresser mirror hand made and carved in Mexico. Purchased in 1968 by the previous owner and brought back home where it was lovingly used and cared for in...
Mirror, Wood, Pine
Antique Vanity Dresser Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Vanity Dresser Mirror, Painted oakwood with original wood color blending through, by faux or age. Signed underside Berkey & Gay Furniture With...
Oak
Country Style Brass & Colonial Maple Shaving Mirror Mint!
By H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Country style brass & colonial maple shaving mirror mint!
Mirror, Cherry, Maple
18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Frame
Located in New York, NY
Original 18th century hand carved painted and applied ornament picture frame; continuous carved floral motif.
Wood
Rare 18th Century Harewood Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Stunning Quality And Extremely Rare Late 18th Century Harewood Dressing Table Mirror, Having Square Upright Supports To Original Swing Mirror Plate, Over Well Figured Box Base, Wit...
Sycamore, Harewood
Backlit Vanity Mirror, Italy, 1960s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A round vanity mirror in painted wood with backlight. The mirror is possible to tilt. In good working condition.
Mirror, Wood
$722
H 11.62 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Midcentury Brass French Adjustable Table Mirror with a Two-Sides Stand, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury brass table mirror, the article was produced in France during the 1950s. This amazing piece is made of brass wit...
Brass
$700
H 10 in W 8.63 in D 6 in
Vintage Murano Glass Dressing Table/Vanity Mirror, Italy, Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - Murano glass - dressing table/vanity mirror - all original fittings with silver leaf backed mirror - finished and hinged wood easel back (can be wall mounted) - unsigned - ...
Art Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
Bronze Table Mirror and Picture Frame
Located in London, GB
Organic table mirror pivots into a picture frame by touch. The bronze has been cast into a relief of natural lines inspired by Art Nouveau depicting a landscape and sunset. The frame...
Bronze
18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Table Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This unusual table-top 'Psyche' table mirror dates from the 18th century, its wooden frame beautifully crafted from yellow-lacquered wood and decorated with hand-painted chinoiserie ...
Mirror, Wood
$318 / item
H 14.97 in W 4.73 in D 11.82 in
“Sun Mirror Brass” White Carrara Marble Minimalist Mirror by Aparentment
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Marblelous Sun Mirror is a minimalist style mirror consisting of a treated Carrara marble base. The back part of the mirror is made of solid brass and treated with special oils f...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
Brass Vanity Tilting Mirror
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brass vanity tilting mirror in the style of Charles Hollis Jones. There are a few 1mm age spots on the mirror on both sides. Only mirror is 14.5" by 10"
Brass
18th Century Italian Baroque Period Giltwood Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
This exceptionally carved Baroque period Italian mirrored mercury glass giltwood wall hanging / mantel mirror captures the reason why we love Eur...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
$1,584Sale Price|20% Off
H 39 in W 41 in D 2 in
Antique French Carved Tri-Fold Vanity Mirror - White Laquer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Vanity mirror painted white laquer. Tri fold to adustable.
Wood, Paint
Minimalist Alvar Aalto Large Mirror in Birch, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic mirror designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in Finland. Very minimalist with straight lines and finger joints. The mirror has holes in the back in a way that enab...
Glass, Birch
$2,283Sale Price|50% Off
H 26.78 in W 16.54 in D 1.97 in
"Ca'Mamaro" Antique Murano Glass Table Mirror by Fratelli Tosi in Venetian Style
Located in Murano Venezia, IT
Ca'Mamaro, reproduction of 18th century Venetian table mirror, mirror entirely in Murano glass, with typical Venetian engraving, in the upper par...
Art Glass, Mirror, Murano Glass
Spanish Colonial Sterling Silver Mirror Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
A Peruvian silver repousse picture frame or table top mirror. Hand worked in the Spanish Colonial style decorated in floral and shell motifs. This is a wonderful looking and distinct...
Silver
Spanish Colonial Peruvian Silver Table Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
A Spanish Colonial style silver picture frame with mirror. The handsome rectangular frame with Baroque style crest would be great for a small painting or that special photograph. Or ...
Silver
Spanish Mahogany and Gilt Bilbao Mirror, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Spanish mahogany and gilt bilbao mirror with urn and floral articulated carved motif. Mirror retains the original glass and wood backing. Late 18th Cen...