Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
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.
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Mahogany
17th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Cedar
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Wrought Iron
17th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Wood
17th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Leather, Wood, Oak
Late 18th Century European Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
19th Century British Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Upholstery, Mahogany
17th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
19th Century French Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Oak
1780s German Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Oak
2010s Turkish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Walnut, Cedar
1890s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 20th Century Unknown Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Hardwood, Paint
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
20th Century Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Wrought Iron
18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Iron
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Bronze
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Walnut
18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Leather