Spanish Colonial Furniture
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 Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Spanish Colonial Furniture
Porcelain
1920s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Furniture
Early 20th Century French Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Belgian Spanish Colonial Furniture
Glass
20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Swedish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Earthenware
1930s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Italian Spanish Colonial Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Spanish Colonial Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Terracotta