Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
18th Century Unknown Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas
Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Pewter
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Leaf
19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Metal
19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
20th Century Central American Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
17th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Brazilian Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze, Steel
Early 19th Century Philippine Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-18th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass, Copper
Late 20th Century American Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster, Wood
Late 19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
17th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Gesso, Hardwood
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Silk
19th Century Guatemalan Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Paint, Wood
19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine, Paint
19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Art Glass, Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Mid-20th Century Argentine Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wicker
Early 1700s French Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
1820s American Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Giltwood, Paper, Glass
Late 19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century Chilean Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
17th Century Dutch Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century South American Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Gesso, Wood
19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Late 18th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
18th Century Philippine Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Central American Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Gesso, Wood
19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
18th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas
19th Century North American Antique Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin