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.
Pair of Antique Santa Virgin Shoes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of polychrome wooden shoes, originally attached to a large Santa Virgen figure from Guatemala. The shoes are finely carved with pointed toes and painted black, with remnants whi...
Wood
18th/19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Polychrome Wood Santo Altar Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive antique Spanish Colonial hand carved polychromed wood Santo Catholic church altar figure. circa 1800 Hand-crafted in the late 18th / early 19th century, exceptionally executed intricate detailing, the large scale antique religious sculpture depicting the female Saint Teresa of Avila, polychrome painted gesso over finely sculpted wood, inset glass eyes, shown in Carmelite nun habit...
Gesso, Wood, Paint
18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Wood and Iron Stirrups
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of late 18th early 19th century South American carved wooden stirrups. Known as estribos, each are carved from a solid block of wood. Decorated with wonderful carvings of horse heads and grape vines, these are truly charming pieces. With wrought iron stirrup rings and the original leather straps. Rich chocolate patina that only comes from age and use. Worn by Chilean huasos, highly skilled horsemen akin to America's cowboys. Prized by collectors of horse memorabilia...
Wood
Pair of Large Scale Italian Figural Candlesticks, Polychromed and Gilded
Located in Dallas, TX
a large scale pair of Italian polychromed, carved and gilded figural candlesticks in the form of angels, Italy. 18th century
Giltwood
Spanish Polychrome Wood Figural Sculpture of Santiago Matamoros
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Spanish or Colonial Polychrome Painted Wood Figural Sculpture of Santiago Matamoros or Saint James the Moor-Slayer. This sculpture is one of Spain's most venerated and symbolic...
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Santos with Glass Eyes
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century hand-carved Santos with inset glass eyes and original gesso paint surface. On custom museum display stand. Base measures 6" x 6".
Gesso, Wood
Late 19th Century Carved Spanish Colonial Christ Nino Santo with Glass Eyes
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century carved baby Jesus Santos with glass eyes and custom display stand. Handmade with carved wood and gesso. Glass inset eyes. Left and r...
Gesso, Wood
$1,250 / set
H 21 in W 9 in D 6 in
Pair of Antique French Sculptural Toleware Potted Floral Bouquets or Garnitures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique toleware bouquet sculptures are branded on the bases by an unknown maker, and date to approximately 1880 and originate from France. The bases are done in pine wi...
Metal
Hand Carved Wood Lion Toy Figure in Orange and Black, Africa, 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical hand carved lion statue from Africa. Hand carved by local artisans in East Africa in the 1970s, this wooden statue will be a great accen...
Wood, Paint
Wood Carved American Folk Art Muscle Car
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand carved Folk Art American Muscle car. Wood carved with original paint surface.
Wood
19th Century Carved Wood Santos with Gilt Decoration
Located in Buchanan, MI
19th century carved wood Santos with gilt decoration.
Gold Leaf
$4,950
H 11 in W 6 in D 2 in
Opulent 18th Century Baroque Reliquary of Blood of Saint St. Francis '15th Cent'
Located in North Miami, FL
Opulent 18th century Baroque carved giltwood reliquary (a container for relics) monstrance with curled scroll design. It houses a first-class relic of the blood of the15th Century sa...
Wood, Giltwood
18th Century Spanish Santos
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved Santos in original condition. Beautiful old patina.
Wood
18th Century, Spanish Colonial Religious Painting of San Geronimo
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th century painting of San Geronimo, oil on canvas laid on wood board. It was later placed in a restored 19th century wood and gesso frame. There is no signature.
Canvas
$850
H 15.5 in W 4.5 in D 3 in
Antique Spanish Colonial Hispano-Philippine Carved Polychrome Santo Altar Figure
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce Spanish Colonial Hispano-Philippine hand carved santo altar figure sculpture. circa 1810 Handmade by Spanish settlers / colonists in the Philippines, late 18th / early 19th...
Wood, Paint
$24,000 / set
H 79 in W 27 in D 3 in
Pair of Magnificent Antique French Carved Wood Panels Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Extraordinary Pair of early 20th century carved wood Panels depicting the Four Seasons. Tall narrow unpainted panels with high relief carved decoration with motifs of the Four Sea...
Wood
$1,180Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 16 in D 1 in
19th C. Spanish Colonial Carved Giltwood Triptych of Virgin Mary & Christ Child
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Spanish Colonial carved giltwood Triptych of Virgin Mary & Christ Child Late 19th century, South America Of exceptional quality, the hinged three panel devotional ic...
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Figure of a Mormon
Located in London, GB
The Mormon We are proud to offer a unique hand carved early 20th century figure of a traditional Mormon. Wonderfully carved from a single piece of hard wood, detailing an angel at t...
Wood, Paint
Santa Claus Cast Iron Nutcracker, circa 1880s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This copper-plated cast iron Santa Claus nutcracker was manufactured in England, circa 1880s. It pivots on an iron pin. The face is very finely cast de...
Iron
Sold
H 2 in W 7.38 in D 1.75 in
19th Century Santos or Saint Ex-Voto Carved Polychrome Wood Arm & Hand Offering
Located in St. Louis, MO
Possibly 19th Century hand-carved wood arm & hand with Polychrome, Ex-Voto offering. Handpainted forearm Exvoto - 1857. In the style of a Santos arm, religious relic, fork art carved hand. Mexican Art. carved hand model, hand fetish, hand artist model. Ex-Votos are offered when miracles are sought and also given in thanks for recovery. They commonly take the shape of human body parts, hearts and animals, and are made to represent the part or creature affected by illness or healed by divine intervention. From the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, daughter of the famous St. Louis painter Fred Conway, and was a passionate art collector, included in her collection were Calder Sculptures, Max Beckman...
Wood
Sold
H 46.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Vintage Spanish Colonial Style Articulated Large Virgin Mary Santos Sculpture
Located in Centennial, CO
This absolutely stunning vintage Spanish Colonial style articulated santos sculpture (bulto) stands almost 4' tall and was sculpted out of lightweight wood covered in papier-mache, ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Antique Spanish Colonial Archangel Polychrome Wood Santo Carving
Located in Forney, TX
Antique religious Spanish Colonial hand carved and painted archangel santo altar figure. circa 1800 Hand-crafted by Spanish settlers in North America (likely Southwestern United States, New Mexico...
Wood, Paint
Antique Spanish Colonial Carved Ship Prow Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
Scarce Spanish Colonial era wooden boat prow. circa 1800 Born around the late 18th / early 19th century, this large sculptural hand-carved architectural salvaged ornamental ship element features a distinctive wave shape with curling volute, incised carving with decorative round medallion, and highly desirable heavily worn and weathered patina! A superb example, museum quality, the artistic Folk Art work makes for a wonderful decorative object, intriguing cultural sculpture...
Wood
Large 18th Century Processional Crucifix, Cristo de Caña, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large 18th century Processional Crucifix, Cristo de Caña, Mexico. This large processional crucifix is made with a technique that predates the ...
Paste
Spanish Colonial Wooden Santos Panel of San Lorenzo
Located in Milford, NH
A fine wooden polychrome Spanish Colonial wooden Santos panel of San Lorenzo and the grill that he was martyred on. This Santos panel is unsigned, and pr...
Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 24.75 in D 8 in
South American Primitive Folk Art Polychrome Santos Figure on Wood Horse
Located in Dayton, OH
19th century South American primitive Folk Art polychrome Santos figure on wood horse Spanish Colonial painted polychrome Santos (religious figure)...
Hardwood, Paint
18th Century Carved Large Santos Madonna
Located in Doylestown, PA
18th century beautifully figured and large Santos Madonna figure, having flowing carving and remnants of polychrome and original gilding. A fine sculpture...
Wood
19th Century Polychrome Nino Santo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully carved and sculptured polychrome nino. Glass eyes. Has a metal crown that sits on his head but is not the original. We believe that he held a staff in one hand and a glob...
Wood
Fine Pair of Early Spanish Colonial Carved Paint and Parcel Gilt Angels
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The early 19th century angels standing 13 inches tall with individualized facial expressions resting on square wooden bases with hands folded in prayer wearing beautifully carved robes.
Wood
19th Century Wooden Spanish Colonial Bastidor, Cage Doll
Located in Pasadena, CA
Vintage handcrafted Santo Mannequin. Wooden turquoise dress. Three angels on bottom base. Wooden platform. Mid-19th century bastidor (cage) sa...
Wood
Spanish Colonial Carving of the Christ Child, 'El Nino'
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century Spanish Colonial carving of the Christ child, "El Nino" with much of it's original paint remaining and beautiful blue glass eyes. Wearing a later ...
Wood