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.
Mid-18th Century North American Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Copper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood, Paint
1990s American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Plywood
19th Century Russian Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century German Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Caribbean Spanish Colonial Furniture
Canvas, Acrylic
1990s American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Paint
Mid-20th Century Irish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Parchment Paper
1970s Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
1960s American Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century English Spanish Colonial Furniture
Other
1670s Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Canvas
1880s European Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Canvas, Paint