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 Oak Wood Refectory Console with Carved Edge and Apron by Dos Gallos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom-made refectory table with carved detailing on edge and apron. Can be made in any size, finish and distress in walnut, oak or mahogany. Shown here in medium oak with a medium d...
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Antique Carved Amphora Stand With Amphorae Spanish Villa Rustic Tinaja Bar Cart
Located in London, GB
A strikingly attractive, extremely rare and wonderfully decorative carved oak amphora stand with three terracotta amphorae in lovely antique condition. L...
Terracotta, Oak
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
Midcentury Chrome Glass and Marble Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
A midcentury two-tiered chrome, glass, and marble bar cart on casters.
Marble, Chrome
$3,400
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 18.31 in
George Coslin Rosewood and Chrome Serving Bar Cart with Drawers, Italy 1950s
By George Coslin, Bernini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century Italian bar cart, fully made of rosewood, chrome-plated metal, and white laminate. This incredibly elegant and unique piece was designed by George Coslin and pro...
Metal, Chrome
$4,992Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 34 in W 48 in D 16 in
Walnut Console with Brass or Aluminum Inlay Detail
Located in Ballard, CA
The walnut console is a handcrafted edition, with tapered legs and brass or aluminum inlays, mitred corners and traditional joinery. Custom sizes and fi...
Aluminum, Brass
French Gilt-Bronze Bar Cart with Gold Églomisé Tops attr. to Bagues
Located in Pembroke, MA
A highly-decorative and very rare French gilt-bronze bar cart with a gold églomisé tops. The bronze frame is in the form of palm leaves, and sun flowers adorn the sides where the sup...
Ormolu, Bronze
Brass and Steel Bar Cart
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern four-tier rolling serving trolley in the style of Maison Jansen. Elegant Neoclassical brass medallion accented frame with two floating clear glass shelves....
Brass, Steel
Italian Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Woodbury, CT
This handsome neoclassical table in cream paint and parcel-gilt has a fluted apron with foliate carvings while the rose marble top has a cream marble beaded edge. Perfectly sized for...
Marble
Sold|$3,886
H 30.32 in W 27.17 in D 18.51 in
Gianfranco Frattini Serving Bar Cart with Drawer for Bernini, Italy 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and incredibly rare mid-century serving bar cart with drawer in a gorgeous rosewood. This elegant piece was designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Bernini in Italy...
Metal
Bronze Console with Brown or Black Leather Top
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Ballard, CA
The hand-sculpted bronze console is a hand forged and handcrafted edition with leather top or glass or stone , fastened by bronze sculpted nails; each piece is numbered and stamped. ...
Bronze
$3,500
H 28.5 in W 36.25 in D 19.7 in
Swedish Gustavian Style 1900s Painted Wood Console Table with Carved Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood console table from the early 20th century, with carved frieze, rosettes, fluted legs and X-Form cross stretcher. Created in Sweden at the Turn ...
Wood
$1,190
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 18.51 in
Italian Midcentury Serving Bar Cart or Trolley with Teak Trays, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Classic serving cart, bar or trolley from the Italian mid-century, 1970s of great quality. The base of the trolley is made of black metal with two beautiful teak wood veneer shelves....
Metal
18th Century English Oak Console or Serving Table
Located in High Point, NC
18th century oak console table from England. The top has a beveled edge, following down to a hand carved apron with nulling decoration over h...
Oak
Green Spanish Preparation Table
Located in Faversham, GB
A Spanish farmhouse kitchen preparation table in pine. Weathered rectangular top in original green wash paint. Raised on four tapering legs united by shapely stretchers. Two centr...
Pine
Carved Mahogany Trestle Console Table In Spanish Colonial Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made Console Table in Primitive Spanish Colonial Style with plank constructed top and carved edge. With elaborately carved serpentine supports on the side and upper cente...
Wood
17th Century Spanish Carved Chestnut Serving Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid-17th century Spanish chestnut side / serving table with three chip carved drawers, standing on chamfered legs united by stretchers, the drawers looking to have the original iron ...
Chestnut
18th Century Spanish Chestnut Serving Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we offer a stunning Spanish serving table dresser, circa 1730. Beautifully made, with chestnut single plank top and legs, poplar drawer fronts. Apart from the later metalwork to the legs for structural reasons, it is in original condition. Four drawers with shallow carving...
Chestnut