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.
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
$1,713
H 20.48 in W 20.08 in D 4.73 in
Italian Polished Brass Table Mirror with Marble Adjustable Vanity Base, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful table mirror in brass with adjustable marble vanity base vanity. This elegant midcentury table or makeup mirror was designed and produced in Italy during the 1950s. ...
Brass
Murano Glass Vanity Mirror with Bohemian Flowers, Italy, Antique, 1975
By Vetri, ICET Murano
Located in Miami, FL
Lovely desktop Murano glass vanity mirror from Italy. Decorated with handmade Bohemian flowers and supported with a wooden back. Original label on the mirror. Mirror Glass Size: 6 ...
Mirror, Wood, Art Glass
$708
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
$634
H 7.88 in W 5.91 in D 2.37 in
Mid-Century Modern Bronze Table Mirror and Frame, Europe, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Bronze 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 an abstract landscape. The frame a...
Bronze
Late 18th Century Harewood Dressing Table Mirror, Sheraton Style
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
$314 / 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
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
$780
H 15.36 in W 9.06 in D 1.19 in
18th Century Chinoiserie Table Mirror, Yellow Lacquered Wood, France
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
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver & Glass 8x10 Picture Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Tiffany & Co. large sterling silver frame. 4 Removable repoussè floral motif triangular corners set into beveled glass. Two of the four corners are stamped Tiffany & Co. sterling silver, as shown in photos. Unoriginal Tiffany storage box...
Sterling Silver
16th Century Partly Gilt Carved Wood Frame
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This rare Venetian frame entirely carved in high-relief shows a rich decor of scrolls, garlands, daisy flowers and thistles. At the four corners of the frame are depicted large acant...
Wood
$14,819
H 18.51 in W 16.15 in D 1.78 in
Rare Large Signed Ercole Barovier Pink Murano Glass & Brass Vanity Mirror 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
We are extremely proud to be able to offer this absolutely stunning, large and very rare Italian oversized Mid-Century brass and pink twisted 'rope' pink Murano glass vanity, desk or...
Brass
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Acanthus Foliage Wall Mirror, 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical gilt carved wood and gesso wall mirror with scrolled acanthus foliage motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass. 18th century
Giltwood, Mirror, Gesso
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
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...