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.
Canape Set Two Armchairs and Four Chairs, Portuguese, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Canape set two armchairs and four chairs. Portuguese 19th century. romantic style, in rosewood wood. Seat and back in damask. Dim.: (canapé) 120 x 178 x 56 cm. Good condition.
Rosewood
Set of Canape and Two Armchairs Portuguese 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of Canape and two armchairs Portuguese 19th Century in mahogany wood with carvings. Upholstery. Signs of use. Dim.: ( canapé ) 113 x 124 x 48.5 cm...
Walnut
Antique 19th C Louis XV Style Canapé Sofa in Schuyler Samperton Fabric
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Louis XV Style Canapé Sofa in Eden Serene Fabric by Schuyler Samperton
Linen, Giltwood
$5,447
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 32.29 in
French 19th Century Napoleon III Button-Back Salon Canapé or Settee
Located in London, GB
A French salon canapé dating from the Napoleon III period, with a curved, buttoned back and integrated arms, designed for comfort and balance within Second Empire interiors. The ful...
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Beech, Softwood, Pine
$1,193Sale Price|40% Off
H 36.62 in W 59.06 in D 26.78 in
Antique green Velvet Sofa-Solid Wood Lounge Seater-Canapé Claude Sené Style 19th
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Antique green Velvet Canapé - Sofa - Claude Sené Style from the late 19th Century Artful Cabinetmaker's Work - elaborately and intricately decorated with wood carvings from th...
Fabric, Cotton, Wood, Walnut, Velvet
$8,400
H 33 in W 44 in D 28 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Upholstered Canapé en Corbeille
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style giltwood canapé en corbeille from the 19th century, with carved flowers and new upholstery. Created in France during the 1...
Upholstery, Giltwood
18th Century French Canape
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant 18th-century French canapé, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and timeless style of the Louis XVI period. This graceful piece features a painted wooden frame, highlight...
Upholstery, Beech
$2,727Sale Price|40% Off
H 39.38 in W 66.15 in D 24.41 in
19th Century French Walnut Hand Carved Three Seated Canapé Louis XV
Located in Sofia, BG
A fine example of Louis XV époque this French three seated canapé is made of hand carved walnut and is still wearing and original upholstery. The piece could be placed in a center of...
Walnut
$11,520
H 45.28 in W 65.75 in D 25.01 in
A Louis XV Style Carved And Painted Salon Canapé, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Louis XV Style Carved And Painted Salon Canapé, 19th Century The frame painted in muted celadon colours with carved details picked out in gilt, lavishly upholstered in antique sty...
Wood
Italian 18th Century Parcel-Gilt and Painted Canapé
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
True artistic talent was employed to create this stunning Italian canapé. The sofa’s back could be mistaken for a canvas, given the finely detailed artwork that graces its surface. A...
Giltwood, Silk
19th Century French Canapé with Original Paint and Gilding
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French canapé. This is a French canapé with original paint and gilding with original horsehair to the upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
$1,120Sale Price|60% Off
H 37.01 in W 55.12 in D 20.48 in
20th Century French Two-Seat Mahogany Canapé with Cane Armrests
Located in Sofia, BG
French two-seat mahogany canapé with cane armrests and original upholstery. There are two armchairs that could match perfectly. France, circa 1920.
Mahogany
$1,833Sale Price|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
20th Century French Two-Seated Canapé Upholstered with an Antique Wool Carpet
Located in Sofia, BG
Rare and beautiful French canapé upholstered with an antique hand knotted wool carpet. The piece is standing on four curved wood legs with brass castors at the end. We may provide a ...
Wood, Wool
$10,400
H 35.5 in W 101 in D 45 in
20th Century American Weiman Bilbao Four Seater Sofa, Canapé by Vladimir Kagan
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American Bilbao four seater sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Weiman in good condition. The back rest of the sculptural c...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Set of Four Chairs and Canapé Portuguese, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of four chair and D. JOÃO V CANAPÉ. Portuguese, 18th century. in brown wood. Open backs, upholstered seats and curved legs ending in claw and ball. Two chair with seats and...
Rosewood
19th Century Portuguese Canape in Walnut Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
CANAPE 19th Century Portuguese in walnut wood. Arms rolled out, seat and back in cane. Stand on six feet. Dim.: 90 x 200 x 65 cm. Good conditions.
Walnut