Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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
Chilean Metal Huasos Spurs
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 20th century Chilean huasos metal spurs. Heavy silvered metal stamped Chile on the side. As found with grosgrain ribbon attached.
Category
Early 20th Century Chilean Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal, Silver
$650 / set
Rare Aztec Colonial Polychromed Wood Sculpture! Holy Imagene Bultos Santos Icons
Located in Peoria, AZ
MUSEUM PERFECTION !
AZTEC INFLUENCED
LATIN AMERICAN
COLONIAL ART
AMAZINGLY RARE PIECE !
Approx. 14" x 8" x 2 1/2"
After Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec empire, painting and sculpture schools were set up within missions to produce art for Roman Catholic worship in Spanish America to promote Christian evangelization. The works that emerge from this period are great historic treasures and tell us much about this time in history. Icons were important in this conversion process.
Here is an Imagene that was likely employed in a church from the 17th century. It features 5 elaborately carved faces and figures depicting angels and saints.
This piece is magnificent for many reasons, but the most important reason is that this piece illustrates the bridge between the Spanish and Aztec art schools.
The Aztecs had developed the most splendid feather art in the world. Feather mosaics (arte plumario in Spanish, amantecayotl in Nahuatl), were created by specially trained and talented Aztec nobles. The blue green iridescent color of hummingbird feathers had made them a regular form of tribute to Aztec rulers and art that featured these feathers were incomparable.
The Spanish art instructors adopted feathers into traditional Catholic imagery and this piece shows the result of such hybrid. Here feathers are
prominently sculpted into the background and were polychromed with sensational hues to reflect the native love and cultural appreciation for feather art. Few feather mosaics survive because of their temporal frailty, but the wood worked feathers in this piece give scholars and collectors a lasting indication of how Aztecs stylistically used the feathers in their pieces.
Aztec religious leaders wore headdresses and garments made of feathers - and here these saints appear to be wearing feather headdresses!
Even after centuries, the colors of this piece are incredibly compelling. Fragments of the rich blue green pigment that was applied to mimic the hummingbird feathers are still present. The golds, yellows and browns display spectacular understanding of complementary colors.
What's more this piece also shows Aztec sun imagery incorporated into the design! On the reverse side of the Saints' faces we see a vivid blue sun burst type design which clearly was an Aztec motif of the period and has no comparable counterpart in Catholic holy treasures...
Category
17th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wood
Antique Framed Photograph of Pancho Villa – Mexican Revolution - Mexico
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This antique framed photograph features an iconic image of Pancho Villa, one of the most renowned leaders of the Mexican Revolution. The sepia-toned vintage print is printed on canva...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wood, Paper
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Large Vintage Aztecs vs Conquistadors Stone, Resin, and Wood Chess Set
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Large vintage Aztec vs. Conquistadors chess set. A true piece of functional art. Each piece is a resin mold with what I believe is stone pieces. Each chess piece is molded as well as...
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Vintage 1960s Souvenir Building Architectural Model Berlin Bear, Metal Statue
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18th/19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Painted Wooden Santo Altar Figure
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19th Century Spanish Colonial Santos Shrine With Gilt Wood
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Spanish Colonial shrine for a Santos or statue of the Virgin Mary in the form of a church likely from New Mexico. Topped with three crosses with traces of gilding, two c...
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19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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Antique 18th C Spanish Colonial Lifesize Saint Paul Carved Estofado Statue Santo
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique Spanish Colonial life size carved Santo figure of St. Paul the Evangelist, Mexico, circa 1750.
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H 70.25 in W 18.5 in D 19 in
John Demott Brutalist Mid-Century Torch Cut Metal Clipper Ship Boat Sculpture
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Mid Century era torch cut metal sculpture by John DeMott. The Brutalist style clipper ship has gold, copper and bronze colors to the metal. The stone base appears to be onyx. DeMott’...
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1970s American Vintage Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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H 15.5 in W 6 in D 20.5 in
Rare Antique Russian Moscow School Silver Enamel Icon of the Holy Trinity, 1853
Located in New York, NY
Fine and rare antique Russian silver and enamel Holy Trinity icon
Moscow, 1853
Marks: Cyrillic D O maker's mark, A C assay master's mark for Aggey Grigorievich Svechin ( Postnikova-L...
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19th Century Russian Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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H 12.63 in W 9.63 in D 1 in
Spanish Colonial Religious Wood Carving Icon, Christ Crucified with Two Thieves
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Spanish Colonial Religious Wood Carving Icon, Christ Crucified with Two Thieves, Late 19th Century
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Category
19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
Materials
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20% Off
H 11 in W 7 in D 2 in
Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos". The three pieces are prints with a finish that makes them look old.
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Materials
Metal
Ancient Russian Orthodox Icon – Two Holy Ascetics Under Mandorla
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Ancient Russian Orthodox Icon – Two Holy Ascetics Under Mandorla With Golden Nimbus"
Antique Russian Orthodox Icon – Two Ascetic Saints with Mandorla and Gilded Halos
Circa 1830–187...
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Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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H 15.36 in W 14.77 in D 1.78 in
1834 Mexico & Guatemala Framed Map by H.S. Tanner
Located in Stamford, CT
1834 Mexico & Guatemala map of published by H.S. Tanner, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Engraved by J. Knight.
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Category
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Previously Available Items
Atlas of Columbus and the Great Discoveries Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Atlas of Columbus and the Great Discoveries - Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of America
Nebenzahl, Kenneth
Published by Rand McNally (1990)
Format: 168 pages, Hardcover.
Language: English.
Edition: First American Edition.
Dimensions: 11.25 x 1 x 14.75 inches.
Oversized heavy Atlas Book...
Category
Late 20th Century American Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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Paper
Pair 19th Century Spanish Colonial Brass Slipper Stirrups
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of 19th century, or earlier, Spanish Colonial brass slipper stirrups. These slipper stirrups, cast in bronze, mimic in metal the shape and decoration of a traditional leather boot. The rope design on the edge copies the sewing of the inside leather lining found on some other examples. The high quality of the metal casting is a direct inheritance of the metalworking skills displayed by Peruvian native populations before Spanish conquest.
Introduced to South America by the Spanish in the 16th century, horses soon became an important element in the lives of many local populations, of both colonial and native origin. Because horses were highly valued, owners would dress them with beautiful and elaborate tack, especially during festivals or other celebrations. Closed stirrups, or regular stirrups covered with a leather hood...
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Mexican Shield 17-18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mexcian shield XVII-XVIII Century.
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17th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
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"San Salvador" Church Bell Getaria, Spain, circa 1895
Located in Rio Vista, CA
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Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
Spanish Colonial historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Spanish Colonial historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 18th Century and Earlier, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage historical memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Spanish Colonial historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are Mexico, and North America 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 historical memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35,000 and tops out at $35,000 while the average work can sell for $35,000.
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