What are the origins of Mexican furniture in Britain?
It is perhaps surprising that a furniture style from a country with no strong historical, geographical or cultural links with Britain should have become so immensely popular. In trying to understand why this should be, it is worth considering the history of both countries. Mexico is immediately to the south of the USA and was originally populated and governed by indigenous civilisations such as the Olmec, the Maya and the Aztecs (none of whom had Mexican chests of drawers!). In 1521 the country was colonised by Spain and remained under Spanish rule until, 300 years later in 1821, it gained its independence. After three centuries as a part of the Spanish Empire it is hardly surprising that the country acquired many of the trappings of its European rulers. These included the obvious, such as language, and the less obvious such as a similarity in the style of furniture – perhaps even including Mexican chests of drawers. Research into Spanish Colonial furniture styles shows that it has man
