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.
Hispanic School Of The End Of The 18th Century Virgin And Child
Located in Charmes, FR
Hispanic School of the End of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century Virgin and Child with solid wood frame Painted on canvas laminated on cardboard in good condition
Paint
$1,450
Santa Rita Retablo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This late 19th century Mexican Folk Art devotional painting depicts St. Rita of Casia, the patron saint of lost and improbable causes. Wishing to join an Augustinian convent ...
Tin
Fray Antonio de San Pedro by Manuel de Arellano, XVII Century
By Manuel de Arellano
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
XVII century Mexican Painting by Arellano. "EL BENERABLE SIERVO D DIOS Fray Antonio de S. Pedro de la Sagrada Religion N. S. de la Merced" Signed: Arellano fecit
Canvas
Mine Landscape by H. F. Arriola, dated 1880
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A mine Landscape, probably Mexico, by the woman painter H. F. Arriola **This painting does not belong to the Mexican heritage**
Canvas
Turquoise Navajo Bolo Tie by Rita Touchine
Located in Toledo, OH
Turquoise Navajo Bolo Tie by Rita Touchine. Modernist style sterling bolo by Rita Touchine. Various shades of green turquoise with silver beads. Signed...
Silver
Vintage Santa Mailbox
Located in Asheville, NC
Vintage Santa mailbox, made of tin and wood this small child size mailbox is a dear reminder of sending letters to Santa whether you are naughty of nice!
Tin
$1,350
H 7.75 in W 28.5 in D 0.5 in
Folk Art Watermelon Painting by Lester Gaba Circa 1960 Mid Century Modern
Located in Atlanta, GA
Folk Art watermelon painting by Lester Gaba, American, circa 1960.
Wood, Paint
Rare Santa, Clown and Lantern Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Clown Head is approx. 3 1/4" high and 1 3/4" at the widest point, think it is approx. 1940s or older. Lantern is approx. 2 5/8" high (1910s) and the little Santa...
Wire
Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos". The three pieces are prints with a finish that makes them look old.
Metal
$240
H 6.5 in W 2.75 in D 2.63 in
Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th Century German Belsnickle / Santa Claus Candy Container, Paper Mâché, wood & Cardboard This beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container dates to the early 2...
Paper
$260
H 9 in W 3.5 in D 3.25 in
Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th Century German Belsnickle / Santa Claus Candy Container, Paper Mâché & Cardboard This beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container dates to the early 20t...
Paper
$270
H 9 in W 3.5 in D 2.63 in
Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th Century German Belsnickle / Santa Claus Candy Container, Paper Mâché & Cardboard This beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container dates to the early 20t...
Paper
Vintage Mid Century Original Art The Marshland by Lee Reynolds
By Lee Reynolds
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful original landscape scene by acclaimed artist Lee Reynolds. This piece titled “Marshland” from the 1960s showcases a sunset marshland landscape done in a vivid, expressiv...
Paint
18th Century Spanish Colonial Oil Painting: Virgin of Mercy
Located in London, GB
18th Century Spanish Colonial Oil Painting on Board A characterful Spanish Colonial devotional painting, oil on board, dating to the 18th century. The work depicts the Virgin of Mer...
Paint, Wood
$395
H 14.75 in W 11.25 in D 1.5 in
Frida Kahlo: The Painter and Her Work by Helga Prignitz-Poda (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Frida Kahlo is now regarded as one of the foremost artists of the 20th century. Her reputation grew late in her life and more so, posthumously. During her life she was more famous fo...
Paper
$330
H 9.25 in W 3.63 in D 2.5 in
Antique Chocolate Mold, Santa Claus Belsnickle, Metal, 1890s, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Chocolate Mold by Matfer Paris, circa 1890–1900 A beautiful antique French chocolate mold crafted in metal, featuring a rich, naturally developed patina. Manufactured...
Metal
Sold
H 23 in W 19 in D 1.5 in
19th C. Spanish Colonial Oil on Tin Retabalo Painting Saint Joseph Christ Child
Located in Forney, TX
Antique Spanish Colonial school Mexican retablo framed religious folk art. Early 19th century, Mexico, hand painted oil on tin panel, richly detailed and beautifully colored, the ...
Tin
Spanish Colonial Cuzco Painting of Archangel Michael
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good Spanish Colonial, Cuzco School (Cuzqueno) painting of the Archangel Michael. The painting appears to have little or no restorations and, as such, is in remarkable condition. We have chosen to leave that painting as found as the patina highlights the depth and character of the painting. The Cuzco school is a Peruvian Spanish Colonial religious artistic tradition in which Incan spirituality was incorporated into Catholic iconography. These Peruvian paintings incorporate artistic forms that distinguish Cuzqueno paintings from other Spanish Colonial artistic traditions. The Jesuit order, arriving in the mid-16th century, was the principal Catholic order whose mission it was to convert the Inca to Christianity and introduce Christian iconography and European type painting techniques to the Inca capital of Cuzco. Cuzco School paintings...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Large Spanish Colonial Cuzco School Virgin Mary Painting
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a large Spanish Colonial, Cuzco School (Cuzqueno) painting the Archangel Michael. The painting appears to have little or no restorations and, as such, is in remarkable condition. We have chosen to leave that painting as found as the patina highlights the depth and character of the painting. Cuzco paintings...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Large Spanish Colonial Cuzco School Painting, Mid-18th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a large Spanish Colonial, Cuzco School (Cuzqueno) painting the Archangel Michael. The painting appears to have little or no restorations and, as such, is in remarkable condition. We have chosen to leave that painting as found as the patina highlights the depth and character of the painting. Cuzco paintings...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
19th Century S. Nemesto Martir Oil on Tin Painting
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this 19th century S. Nemesto Martir oil on tin painting.
Copper
Antique Painting of Madre Dolorosa, Oil on Copper
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this antique painting of Madre Dolorosa, oil on Copper.
Copper
Retablo of "El Nino de Atocha", 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a finely painted retablo depicting The Christ child as "El Nino de Atocha" on heavy gauge tin set in a wooden frame.
Tin
Early 19th Century Spanish Colonial Oil Painting of Our Lady of Mercy
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Offered by James Eddy Early 19th century Spanish colonial oil painting of Our Lady of Mercy. Nuestra Señora de la Merced is the subject of this early 19th century colonial oil on canvas painting. A three quarter portrait, Our Lady of Mercy wears the scapular shield of the Mercedarian order together with a luminous gold reliquary...
Wood
St. Jerome and the Lion / Spanish Colonial Art
Located in Dallas, TX
a Spanish Colonial framed oil on tin religious study depicting Saint Jerome and the lion
Metal