Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
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.
Late 18th Century Portuguese Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Ceramic
1960s Ecuadorean Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Leather, Walnut
1960s Ecuadorean Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Wood
1960s Ecuadorean Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Leather, Walnut
1960s Ecuadorean Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Copper
Late 20th Century South American Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Paint
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Wool
19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Paint
Early 20th Century European Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Ceramic, Oak
1940s German Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Plastic
1960s Belgian Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Marble
19th Century Portuguese Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Pottery
Late 18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Other
1960s Czech Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Ceramic
17th Century Portuguese Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Cedar
1960s German Vintage Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Brass
15th Century and Earlier Bolivian Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Alpaca, Natural Fiber
Mid-20th Century English Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Oak
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint
1990s Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Canvas, Paint
Late 19th Century Peruvian Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Giltwood
2010s American Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Paper
Late 20th Century American Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Paper
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Metal, Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Spanish Colonial Decorative Art
Metal, Iron