Spanish Colonial Benches
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 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Bronze
1930s South American Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Other
Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood
1950s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Iron
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Oak
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Mahogany
1960s American Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Brass
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Cane, Walnut
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Linen, Walnut
18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Cane, Walnut
20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Benches
Walnut
Late 20th Century European Spanish Colonial Benches
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Cane, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Benches
Walnut
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Benches
Paint, Wood
1920s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Cane, Bentwood
18th Century Indian Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Teak
2010s Chinese Spanish Colonial Benches
Velvet
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Elm
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Benches
Stainless Steel
1950s American Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Oak
Early 20th Century Dutch Spanish Colonial Benches
Oak
Late 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Stone
Early 1900s Dutch Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wrought Iron
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood
Early 1900s Dutch Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Oak
19th Century American Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood
1920s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Cane, Bentwood
2010s Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Iron
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Walnut
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Walnut
1950s Spanish Vintage Spanish Colonial Benches
Iron
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Velvet, Walnut
1880s Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Benches
Pine
Late 20th Century Spanish Colonial Benches
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Velvet, Walnut