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-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood
1940s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood, Paint
1920s Mexican Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Linen
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Nutwood
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Fabric, Oak
1940s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
1860s Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood
1970s Mexican Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Mercury Glass
1880s North American Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Canvas
Late 18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Cedar
1980s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Faux Leather, Wood
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Pine
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Bronze
2010s European Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood, Mirror
Late 20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Beech
Late 19th Century English Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century Unknown Spanish Colonial Furniture
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Austrian Spanish Colonial Furniture
Brass
1980s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Leather, Mirror
1940s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Colombian Spanish Colonial Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Burl
Early 20th Century German Spanish Colonial Furniture
Stone
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Walnut
17th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood