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.
18th C. "Pirates" Ladder, Wall Sculpture/ Novelty Item
Located in North Miami, FL
This "Pirates" ladder is BEYOND whimsical from Spain. A total of 26 feet long, perhaps used by Spanish pirates in the 1800's, we envision this more of a rustic wall art piece. Can ...
Rope, Wood
Spanish Cannon Shape Wall Sconce / Wall Mounted Sculpture, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Colonial cannon wall sconce or wall sculpture, Spain, 1950s. Spectacular wall sconce with a beautiful design full of details. Adorned by twisting iron rope and chains. Handcr...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
$6,498
H 2.76 in W 13.78 in D 25.6 in
Purple generation Wall Lamp / Sconce / Sculpture by Eduard Locota, Resin & Coal
Located in Timisoara, RO
The unique approach of Eduard Locota towards art, embrace the permeability between art and function. An unique lamp that is as much sculpture as it is design. By using coal as a man...
Acrylic
$1,679Sale Price|44% Off
H 11.82 in W 11.03 in D 9.85 in
18th Century French Gilt Wood Sculptured Wall-Consoles
Located in Sofia, BG
18th century wall suspended consoles from France. Beautifully constructed in gilt wood and ornamented with a Rococo influence. The quality of th...
Giltwood
$1,392Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 20.87 in D 3.55 in
Søholm Denmark Large Lamp Ceramic Wall Sconce Sculpture Danish Midcentury, 1960s
By Poul Brandborg, Søholm Stentøj, Noomi Backhausen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Large stylish Danish midcentury wall sconce. The lamp is made the acknowledged pottery Søholm on Bornholm and the design is attributed to Noomi Backhausen & Poul Brandborg. Made ca. ...
Metal
$4,177 / set
H 21.26 in W 12.21 in D 4.34 in
Pair of Large Sculptural Iron and Glass Wall Flush Mounts Sconces, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful and large pair of sculptural iron and textured Murano glass wall lights/sconces, 1960s Lamp sockets: 1x E27 (US E26).
Iron
$1,972 / item
H 8.86 in W 6.7 in D 3.55 in
One of... Italian Vintage Sculptural Brass Sconce Wall Light, 1950s
By Angelo Lelii
Located in Berlin, DE
ONE of... wonderful solid brass wall light. Italy, 1940s - 1950s Measure: Height without bulbs: 8.9" Lamp sockets: 2x E27 (US E26) Shipping...
Brass
$9,283
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Barovier & Toso Glass Blocks with Gold Tulip Sconces, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding pair of Barovier sconces with glass blocks ending with delicious hand blown gold tulips. We have 2 pairs and available also a mag...
Blown Glass
$1,740
H 9.5 in W 8.5 in D 5 in
Unique Pair of French Hollywood Maison Charles Bagues Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Lisse, NL
Maison Charles pair of French Empire style bronze two-light wall sconces with detailed women heads, from the 1970s. Marked on the back " Charles, made in France ". Our sharp pric...
Bronze
Brutalist Wall Sculpture/Light, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare brutalist wall sculpture/light from the 1960s. Made of lacquered multi-layer torch-cut sheet metal this has a wonderful abstract organic structure...
Sheet Metal
Striking Maison Baguès Style Bronze Hand Holding Torch Wall Sconce
Located in Lisse, NL
Midcentury hand - holding - torche wall lamp. If you are looking for a small yet distinctive decorative wall sconce, look no further. This stylish and highly sought-after brass and ...
Brass, Bronze
$3,481 / set
H 8.27 in W 4.34 in D 9.85 in
Pair of Italian Vintage Adjustable Sconces Wall Lights, 1950s
By Stilnovo, Angelo Lelii
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of beautiful adjustable wall lights. Italy, 1950s.
Brass, Metal, Aluminum
LMN Brass and LED Wall Sconce by Nomade Atelier
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Mexican design bureau Nomade Atelier pays homage to Laszlo Moholy-Nagy's geometrical and cosmic monograms and prints- from color scheme to construction....
Brass
$9,283
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Barovier & Toso Glass Blocks with Gold Tulip Sconces, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding pair of Barovier sconces with glass blocks ending and delicious hand blown gold tulips. We have 2 pairs and available also a magn...
Blown Glass
19th Century Carved Cherubim
Located in Toronto, CA
A beautiful early 19th Century polychrome winged cherubim, or angel, holding a guitar or mandolin. This angel would have most probably hung in a church. The angel is carved and gesso...
Gesso, Glass, Wood
Sold
H 38.5 in W 15.75 in D 2 in
18th Century Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Carved Polychrome Relief from a Church
Located in Milford, NH
A nicely detailed carved polychrome Guatemalan Spanish Colonial wooden relief of a priest, probably acquired from a church. Dates to the 18th century in very good condition, with gre...
Wood
Sold
H 11 in W 11.25 in D 4 in
Bricolarte, Majolica Shell Form Wall Decoration, Portugal, Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
BRICOLARTE - Rare hand painted shell form majolica wall decoration - artist signed - Portugal (Pombal) - mid 20th century. Excellent vintage con...
Ceramic
Sold
H 27.5 in W 5.75 in D 0.75 in
Vintage Spanish Revival Tavern Sword & Medieval Flail Wall Decor Style of Witco
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Spanish Revival tavern sword and medieval ball flail wall décor comprised of carved wood frames with red felt backing, wood handles, black painted metal & wood sword...
Metal
Sold
H 21 in W 16.5 in D 2.5 in
Antique European Wall Plaque Hanging Coat of Arms Knight Helmet Shield Oak 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
Antique European hand carved oak architectural coat of arms hanging wall plaque c. 19th century Highly carved oak wall hanging~~armorial knight with plumed helmet over shield with...
Oak
Sold
H 5.5 in W 5 in D 11.25 in
2 Antique Brass Horse Saddle Stirrups Spanish Conquistador Aztec Mayan Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique brass horse stirrups in the style of the Spanish Conquistadors, decorated with a European re-imagining of an Aztec or Mayan figure...
Brass
Sold
H 92.5 in W 68 in D 7 in
Antique 18th c. Wood and Iron Spanish Porch Door with Interior Door, c.1700s
Located in San Francisco, CA
About Monumental solid wood Spanish porch door with a smaller interior door and speakeasy window. Interior door and the speak easy window both open easil...
Iron
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
Vintage Spanish Abstract Iron Candle Wall Sconces
Located in San Jose, CA
Rustic abstract sculpture wall sconces in heavy black iron made in Spain. This piece features a modern Brutalist architectural design and includes four votive candleholder settings. Accents well with Mid-Century Modern or Spanish Colonial decor...
Iron
Pair of Spanish Colonial Doors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Spanish Colonial mesquite wood doors with brass door knockers also used as pulls to open the doors, brass straps and brass clavos. Four r...
Brass
Spanish Tile Wall Don Quixote Ceramic Hand Painted Narrative Folk Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Late 18th-early 19th century monumental installation of 180 antique Spanish ceramic tiles, hand painted, illustrating the story and characters of ...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Coating