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.
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Marble
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Paste
Early 1900s Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Stucco, Wood
Early 1900s Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Stucco, Wood
Early 1900s Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Stucco, Wood
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Bronze
1960s Danish Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Swedish Spanish Colonial Furniture
Birch
2010s American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Spanish Colonial Furniture
Brass
2010s American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century European Spanish Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
1920s French Vintage Spanish Colonial Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Spanish Colonial Furniture
Gesso, Giltwood, Paint, Wood
20th Century American Spanish Colonial Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century English Spanish Colonial Furniture
Elm
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Metal, Iron
Early 1900s Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Oak
Early 1900s French Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Oak
Early 1900s French Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Early 1900s Haitian Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wool, Walnut
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Furniture
Copper