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.
Castillan Oak Armoire, Hand-Carved, Spain, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
J.A.D.A Galerie present: Castilian workshop, two door armoire, oak, Spain, 1950s. Each door is divided into twelve panels, six tiers of two, and every one of the twenty four fields...
Oak
Cabinet in Carved Oak, Spain, 1940
By BIOSCA
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A façade of rhythmic florals emerges from a field of quiet geometry—each rosette delicately recessed in its own square niche, like votive offerings set into a chapel wall. This cabin...
Oak
Petite Armoire in Carved Pine, Spain, 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Solemn and ceremonial, this petite armoire stands like a devotional column—its oak façade incised with rhythmic motifs that echo both liturgical ornament and rural craftsmanship. The...
Oak
19th Century Hungarian Original Hand Painted Pine One-Door Armoire
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Hungarian one-door armoire crafted in pine, retaining its original hand painted finish. The exterior features a faux wood background in earth tones of brown and russet, ...
Wrought Iron
French 19th Century Petite Mahogany Louis Philippe Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A modest yet spacious, 19th century French Louis Philippe style armoire handcrafted of mahogany with bookmatched doors that are fascinating from every perspective. Flamed grain draws...
Mahogany
$5,850
H 90 in W 43.5 in D 29.5 in
Early 19th Century French Single Door Carved Walnut Armoire Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century French single door armoire cabinet, crafted in walnut. Heavy carving adorns the three panels of the single door, and the same carved panels continue along the side...
Iron
Reconstruction Oak Armoire by René Gabriel, France, 1950s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Attributed to René Gabriel, two-door armoire, solid natural oak, France, 1950s. Solid natural oak with a light, open grain. Two full-height hinged doors, each panelled with horizont...
Oak
Guillerme & Chambron Large Cabinet or Wardrobe in Solid Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, armoire or cabinet, solid oak, France, 1960s. This wardrobe is a good example of excellent woodworking by virtue of the well-designed constr...
Oak
Guillerme & Chambron Cabinet or Cupboard in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, cabinet or cupboard, solid oak, France, 1960s This cabinet is a strong example of thoughtful woodworking, where structure and surface are tre...
Oak
French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Armoire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This elegant Armoire is made of flamed mahogany. It has a simple shape which can be easy to mix with all style.
Mahogany
$5,100
H 85.25 in W 61.75 in D 22.25 in
18th Century French Carved Pine Two Door Wedding Armoire Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
18th century French two door wedding armoire, crafted in pine with a rich brown patina. Elaborate carving is seen throughout, including along the crown where turtle doves appear within a wreath of flowers. Additional carved floral bouquets accent the cabinet, and musical instruments are carved into the door panels. A scalloped skirt finishes the lower edge. The right door secures in place with an exterior metal latch as the doors have shifted in place over years of use. Doors open to reveal removable interior shelves. Age related separation of planks is present, and holes appear to have been added at some point in time (possibly to assist removing shelves?). This armoire shows much old, dried wormhole activity, adding to the aged character of the cabinet (no longer active). The feet show additional distress and wear, and supports were added at some point to the back for improved stability. Restored strong, stable, and ready for use. A classic French wedding cabinet...
Metal
Rustic scrubbed, pine hand carved French country style armoire
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century rustic scrubbed pine hand carved armoire. This armoire has beautifully hand carved French country style embellishments around the entire surface with two e...
Wood
Hand Carved Oak Armoire by Charles Dudouyt, French Art Deco, 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A hand carved solid oak armoire by French designer Charles Dudouyt, produced in France in the 1940s. Dudouyt (1885-1946) began his career as an illustrator before returning from Worl...
Wood
Early 19th Century Pine Linen Cabinet / Armoire
Located in Pomona, CA
A French Pine Armoire / Linen Cabinet. Fielded (raised) panel) doors. A decorated cornice and 4 drawers below. The piece is sitting on bracket feet. Original iron hinges, hardware ...
Pine
Rustic 19th C. Spanish Cabinet with Original Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish carved-wood tall cabinet with two doors from the 19th century. This antique armoire from Spain features a molded cornice at top, with a case that houses a pair of four pane...
Wood
Petite Armoire in Carved Pine, Spain, 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Solemn and ceremonial, this petite armoire stands like a devotional column—its oak façade incised with rhythmic motifs that echo both liturgical ornament and rural craftsmanship. The...
Oak
Sold
H 51 in W 30 in D 30 in
Equator Furniture Company 18th C Style Spanish Colonial Cabinet Mini Armoire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Equator Furniture Company 18th century Style Spanish Colonial Cabinet Mini Armoire. Equator made furniture utilizing reclaimed barn wood or pieces of Vin...
Iron
Sold
H 98 in W 55 in D 25 in
18C Style Therien Studio Workshop Dessin Fournir Walnut Wardrobe Armoire Cabinet
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style Therien Studio Workshop - Dessin Fournir walnut wardrobe armoire cabinet.
Walnut
Sold
H 71.75 in W 67.5 in D 21.75 in
18th Century Spanish Oak Armoire with Relief Polychrome Decoration
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful two-door oak armoire with molded cornice, relief gessoed polychrome panels with foliate, grape, and geometric decoration, adorned with forged iron exterior hinges on each...
Oak
Antique Door Armoire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Armoire made from antique doors. The body of the armoire has an upper section with two doors and a lower section with two doors, divided by an interior shelf. The upper section has a...
Cedar
19th Century Wardrobe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. cedro wood wardrobe with six interior shelves. Each side has secret locking panels with an additional six interior shelves. Three drawers on the bottom. Original locks and k...
Cedar