Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
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.
Mid-20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Metal, Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Wood
20th Century American Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Wood
20th Century Danish Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Aluminum
1980s Italian Vintage Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Poplar
1950s Vintage Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Satinwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Brass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Glass, Beads, Wood
20th Century Danish Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Iron
20th Century Swedish Spanish Colonial Serving Pieces
Cork, Wood