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.
Custom Walnut Wood Barley Twist Table by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom table with beautiful barley twist legs and stretcher. Bread boards on each end. Can be made in a custom sizes and in a variety of woods, colors, finishes and range of distress...
Walnut, Oak
Custom Walnut Wood Barley Twist Table by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom table with beautiful barley twist legs and stretcher. Bread boards on each end. Can be made in a custom sizes and in a variety of woods, colors, finishes and range of distress...
Walnut
French Twisted Wood Gueridon Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive twisted wood gueridon table from France, 1940s. Rustic octagonal base, thick twisted wood stem, and large octagonal tabletop. Beautiful statement piece. Original wood fini...
Oak
$21,000 / item
H 30 in W 144 in D 42 in
Parsons Table in Bookmatched Walnut, Custom Made by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This parsons table is made from solid bookmatched planks of nicely figured walnut (not veneer), beautifully finished for a soft satin feel. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los Angeles workshop you can influence all aspects of design, including size, wood specie and finish. We use only traditional carpentry techniques, no nails...
Walnut
$2,750
H 29 in W 34.5 in D 24.5 in
Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Renaissance Tapestry
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Renaissance Tapestry. Direct from France, a highly carved antique side table or writing desk circa 1880. The table is orna...
Textile, Walnut
Antique English Barley Twist Table
Located in Nashville, TN
Gorgeous antique English barley twist table! The table is made from oak and has a lovely dark finish and beautiful patina. The turned spiral legs a...
Wood
Italian Baroque Walnut Table with Barley Twist Legs, c.1700
Located in London, GB
A handsome small Italian walnut table dating to the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century. The rectangular plank top with moulded edge sits above a deep frieze incorporating a...
Walnut
$3,800
H 29.5 in W 28 in D 28 in
19th C. Victorian Merklen Bros. Barley Twist Figural Mahogany Parlor Lamp Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Victorian solid mahogany parlor table with barley twist legs by the Merklen Brothers. The table has very attractive angled legs, barley...
Bronze
$5,461
H 27.76 in W 61.42 in D 46.66 in
RARE & COLLECTABLE ANTIQUE JACOBEAN REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG ENGLISH HUNT TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable Jacobean revival circa 1860-1880 Hunt table with barley twist legs Pl...
Oak
$2,175
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Antique French Octagon Sofa Table Carved Oak Barley Twist Louis XIII Renaissance
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Octagon sofa table carved oak Barley Twist Louis XIII Renaissance. Direct from France, a fabulous antique French octagon table, with im...
Oak
$19,000 / item
H 30 in W 120 in D 40 in
Expandable Barley Twist Dining Table in Vintage Walnut, By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This custom dining table has barley twist legs made from reclaimed walnut. The base has a darker finish and the top is bleached with satin lacquer finish. The barley twist legs are masterfully hand-carved to perfect mirror image spirals. As shown, the table is 40 x 100 x 30...
Walnut
Walnut Side Table, Custom Made by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This round side table with turned legs and shelf is made of distressed walnut. It is seen here in a 28" diameter, however it can be b...
Walnut
1940s French Twisted Wood Pedestal Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful wood pedestal table from France, 1940s. Square top with twisted column on a square base. Original dark wood finish shows natural grain, age and patina. Perfect for display.
Oak
Scottish Library Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful all-over patina and hand carvings on the apron.
Sold
H 30.5 in W 20.5 in D 17.5 in
Vintage Rustic Spanish-Style Dining Set - Round Dining Table with Four Chairs
Located in Elkton, MD
The round dining table features a rustic Spanish-inspired design with a rich walnut-toned finish, decorative apron, and carved leg details. The tabletop is crafted from a softer mate...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 29.52 in W 63 in D 27.36 in
19th Century Spanish Solid Dining Chair Set, Not Includes the Table
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Spanish solid dining set. Four chairs. You can purchase 2 sets for 8 chairs.
Wood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 30.75 in D 94.5 in
Spanish Colonial Trestle Dining Table and Eight Chairs, circa 1940
Located in Evergreen, CO
This hefty oak dining set includes eight ladder back chairs with scalloped slats and aprons and a trestle table with a rustic hand gouged top. The table's ...
Iron