Spanish Colonial Desks
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.
Early 20th Century South American Spanish Colonial Desks
Mahogany
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Iron
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Maple, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Spanish Colonial Desks
Oak
Late 18th Century French Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Pine
19th Century English Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century British Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Pine
1880s Swedish Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Desks
Mahogany
18th Century British Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Oak, Walnut
1920s Belgian Vintage Spanish Colonial Desks
Oak
1870s American Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Spanish Colonial Desks
Brass
1930s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Desks
Wrought Iron
1890s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Desks
Oak
1950s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Desks
Steel