Spanish Colonial Cabinets
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 18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Cedar
17th Century North American Antique Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Tortoise Shell
1970s American Vintage Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Metal
Early 19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Brass
1950s American Vintage Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s American Antique Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Satinwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Wood, Elm
Early 20th Century Philippine Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1920s Austrian Vintage Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Brass
19th Century French Antique Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Leather, Wood
1980s English Vintage Spanish Colonial Cabinets
Brass