After the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the eighth century, Islamic Spain became a cultural mix of influences that shaped both private homes and religious spaces. Moorish design was the name given to this style, which evolved through the 15th century with vibrant tile work, horseshoe arches and lavish ornamentation, most visible at sites such as Granada’s Alhambra and the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Moorish furniture was often similarly ornate, and featured pieces inlaid with wood, ivory and bone.
When European designers began studying Moorish art and architecture in the early 19th century, it led to a Moorish Revival. Appropriating the style’s decorative flourishes and architectural elements, it promoted a romantic view of Islamic design. Travelers could bring home a memento of what they witnessed in the Middle East, a trend that aligned with a fad for themed interiors. Men’s smoking rooms arranged with ottomans, divans and settees and inlaid tables were especially popular, as were cafés where coffee was served amid bead curtains and colorful floor mats. (Handwoven rugs are a centerpiece of Moorish interiors.) Octagonal rooms with domed ceilings were created for wealthy homes, frequently with furnishings like pipe stands, filigree plasterwork and arched doorways. The horseshoe arch is an iconic attribute of Moorish architecture that, in addition to Spain, can be found in Sicily, Morocco and elsewhere.
Several late 19th to early 20th-century movements featured Moorish touches. The American and English Aesthetic Movement, for example, borrowed liberally from global decorating styles, as seen in furniture designed by Lockwood de Forest, a New York-born artist who mixed Eastern and Western forms. The visual vocabulary of Art Nouveau also references the elegant use of geometry in Moorish design, with Milanese Art Nouveau furniture designer Carlo Bugatti drawing inspiration from the style. The Arts and Crafts movement, which prized expressive yet simple design, incorporated Moorish influences; hand-painted furniture and tile work created by William De Morgan, a British designer and potter who made furnishings for the likes of Morris & Co., were informed by techniques from Moorish Spain.
Find a collection of Moorish lighting, decorative objects, folk art and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Located in London, GB
A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Ou...
Wrought Iron
$7,880Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Moroccan Antique Double Door with Hand Painted Moorish Designs
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan huge antique doors from a Ryad in Fez, amazing hand painted artwork. Multicolored geometrical Moorish designs in deep red, green, yellow. Moroccan doors and furniture is most noted for the use of beautiful Moorish hand-painted and hand carved designs colorfully applied to wood. Many of the Moorish influenced designs have been used for centuries decorating the ceilings and wall panels of Mosques and Palaces all around Islamic countries. Great patina, different designs in front and back, great o use as a piece of architectural design on a wall. Bottom and top show damages, distressed look. The two doors have a different design and different colors, they don't match. They could be used on walls as a decorative architectural panel. Iron locker...
Wood
Hand Painted Wooden Moorish Style Ceiling Keystone for Center Room
Located in Marbella, ES
Hand Painted Wooden Moorish Style Ceiling Keystone for Center Room
Wood
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Asian Hand-Carved Wooden Architectural Arched Wall Door Panel
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Asian hand-carved teak wood wall panel architectural elements. An architectural hand-carved teak wood arch doorway panel in the form of an entrance Moorish door, great to use...
Teak
Hand Forged Iron Moorish Folding Screen
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand forged folding Moroccan iron screen with three panels decorated with Moorish designs. Classic and elegant Art & Craft this highly embellished, detailed folding screen divider in the Mediterranean Spanish style iron art work would embellish any room, garden or wall, Santa Barbara style. Could make an amazing headboard. Three panels folding iron screen with Moorish designs in repeat. Heavy and well-made original condition. Each panel: 68.5" high, 15.75" wide Folds up for easy storage. Hand forged heavy wrought iron screen divider by skilled Moroccan artisans in Marrakech Morocco. Rustic Spanish colonial style wrought iron window grill...
Wrought Iron
$1,850 / item
Hand-Forged Iron Three Panels Folding Moorish Screen
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-forged folding Moroccan screen with three panels decorated with Moorish designs. Classic and elegant Art & Craft this highly embellished, detailed folding screen divider in the Mediterranean Spanish style would embellish any room, garden or wall, Santa Barbara style. Could make an amazing headboard. Three panels with Moorish designs in repeat. Heavy and well-made original condition. Each panel: 68.5" high, 15.75" wide Folds up for easy storage. Rustic Spanish colonial style wrought iron window grill...
Wrought Iron
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Large Moroccan Moorish Antique Ryad Studded Door 19th C.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique massive handcrafted Hispano Moresque studded doorway, incredible work, very heavy authentic Moroccan door. One door inside a larger door. 19th ...
Iron
Hand Forged Iron Moorish Screen
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand forged folding Moroccan screen with three panels decorated with Moorish designs. Classic and elegant Art & Craft this highly embellished, detailed folding screen divider in the Mediterranean Spanish style would embellish any room, garden or wall, Santa Barbara style. Could make an amazing headboard. Three panels with Moorish designs in repeat. Heavy and well-made original condition. Measures: Each panel 68.5" high, 15.75" wide Folds up for easy storage. Hand forged heavy wrought iron screen divider by skilled Moroccan artisans in Marrakech Morocco. Rustic Spanish colonial style wrought iron window...
Wrought Iron
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Border with Moorish Fez Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted cement tile with traditional Fez Moorish design. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans in Fez Morocco. This is the traditional Moroc...
Cement
Hand Painted Wooden Moorish Style Ceiling Keystone for Center Room
Located in Marbella, ES
Hand Painted Wooden Moorish Style Ceiling Keystone for Center Room
Wood
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile in Antique White Color
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tile in antique white color. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles handmade by artisans in Fez ...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Sample with Modern Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand painted cement tile with modern black, white and grey design. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans in Fez Morocco. This ...
Cement
$1,400 / item
Cast Brass Moorish Door Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful cast brass pull handle with Moorish styling.
Brass
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Fez Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Fez Design. Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Moorish colors in blue, yellow, red and black on a white ...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Vintage Tile Sample
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand painted cement tile with traditional leaves design. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans in Fe...
Cement
Moroccan Handcrafted Reclaimed Encaustic Cement Tile Blue Color
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Moroccan Blue color. These are authentic Moroccan reclaimed encaustic tiles...
Cement
Moroccan Hand Painted Cement Tiles with Traditional Fez Design Set of 6
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Hand Painted Cement Tile with Traditional Fez Design, Set of 6 Blue and White colors. Moroccan Hand-Painted Cement Tile with Traditional Fez Design. Moroccan handcrafted a...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Border with Moorish Andalusian Fez Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Border with Moorish Andalusian Fez Design. Moroccan Hand-Painted Cement Tile with Traditional Fez Design Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement...
Concrete
Middle Eastern Style Red and Gold Painted Archway
Located in Queens, NY
Middle Eastern style (19/20th Century) red and gold painted large archway with geometric design.
Gold Leaf
Vintage Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage hand forged fire screen. A brilliant collection of gnarly icons placed randomly on a heavy grid. A real artistic masterpiece. Great to add some drama to any fireplace
Metal
American Charleston Cast Iron Lyre Boot Scrape, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Charleston cast iron lyre boot scrape resting on a oval scalloped edge base, Early 19th century.
Iron
$850
H 12 in W 63.5 in D 2 in
19th Century Asian Architectural Transom Panel with Pierced Carved Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Asian Architectural transom panel with pierced carved foliage.
Wood
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 58.25 in D 1.25 in
Hand Forged Iron Antique Spanish Overdoor Headboard Panel Los Angeles Dealer CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Forged Iron Antique Spanish Overdoor Headboard Panel Los Angeles Dealer CA . 19th Century Hand forged Iron Architectural Element fragment was part of an entrance door Top decora...
Iron
$22,385
H 106.3 in W 118.12 in D 157.49 in
French Style Wrought Iron Greenhouse with Door and Windows in White Color
Located in Marbella, ES
French style wrought iron greenhouse with doors and windows that open outwards. Ready for glass panels to be installed.
Iron
Spanish 17th Century Hand Forged Iron Chain
Located in Round Top, TX
A terrific 17th century hand forged chain from the Barcelona region. Perfect for extending the length of a chandelier.
Iron
$3,484Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 82.68 in W 32.29 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Antique Provençal Doors, Carved/Painted Blue, Late 19th Century France
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Pair of old Provençal interior doors, with carved panels painted in blue, one was a panel (the lowest), built in the late 19th century in the south of France. Delicate and elegant c...
Wood
$4,452Sale Price|20% Off
H 89.38 in W 43.31 in D 3.15 in
Antique Entrance Door with Frame, Walnut Wood, 19th Century, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Ancient entrance door, main door, with original frame, original knocker and knob still present, hand carved in precious patinated walnut wood, fascinating period that makes it very b...
Walnut
$22,385
H 106.3 in W 157.49 in D 118.12 in
French Style Wrought Iron Greenhouse with Door and Windows in Green Color
Located in Marbella, ES
French style wrought iron greenhouse with doors and windows that open outwards in white color. Ready for glass panels to be instal...
Iron
Italian Folding Screen
Located in Houston, TX
This six-panel screen borrows from the Roman practice as an homage to the great designers that came before. Ancient roman courtyard houses typically had architectural elements crown ...
Wood, Paper
$3,650 / set
H 14.75 in W 25.75 in D 0.05 in
Pair of Antique French Renaissance Style Carved Wood Architectural Wall Panels
Located in Houston, TX
Great pair of well carved French Renaissance style or French Baroque style relief carved architectural walnut wooden panels or fragments from the 19th century. These beautifully carv...
Wood
$7,744 / set
H 65.75 in W 53.94 in D 1.19 in
Large "Ganesh & Parvati" Painted Iron Screens, India, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Delightful pair of large iron screens, depicting the Hindu deities Parvati and Ganesh.
Sold
H 124.02 in W 66.93 in D 21.66 in
19th Monumental Neomudejar Doorway Carved in Wood and Polychrome
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Monumental Neomudejar Doorway Carved in Wood and Polychrome
Wood
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Fez Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Fez Design. Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Mooris...
Cement
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Tiles Set of 2
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Marrakech ochre and red colors. These are authentic Moroccan reclaimed encaustic tiles...
Cement
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Fez Design Set of 2
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Border with Moorish Fez Design. Moroccan handcrafted and hand painted cement tiles with traditional Moorish color. These are authentic Moroccan recla...
Cement
Moroccan Reclaimed Encaustic Cement Tiles in Red and Black, Set of 5
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Marrakech colors in red and black. These are authentic Moroccan reclaimed encaustic tiles hand made by artisans i...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Blue Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile with Moorish Blue Fez Design. Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Moorish designs. These are authentic Moroccan reclaimed encaustic tiles...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Border with Moorish Leaf Design Set of 2
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Border with Moorish leaf Design. Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional leaves design in yellow, white, blue green and wh...
Concrete
19th Century Moorish Revival Bronze Architectural Model Panel
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique Moorish architectural model thin bronze plaque from the late 19th century. This architectural model features a symmetrical design, the bronze frame having three sections, each panel with large traditional Moorish architecture rounded horseshoe - keyhole arch, flanked by xa pair of smaller pierced arches, finely detailed, decorated in intricate relief work, with light arabesque motif, Islamic calligraphy inscriptions, two large Star of David hexagrams, and notched saw toothed edge ornamentation. Provenance: From the highly curated contents of well regarded professional antique dealers, Ed and Jane Grant, who retired after four decades in the industry. The couple supplied both their Washington metro based antique shop, Grant Antiques, and their very fine quality Connecticut showcase, E.J. Grant Antiques, with domestic and imported pieces. World travelers who especially loved European antiques, sourced their merchandise during their frequent buying trips to Europe and Asia and included purchases originating in France, the British Isles, Italy, Spain, and beyond. "We have never been content with our established route. England is our first and favorite country and furniture. Then we discovered France. Then Holland and Belgium. On to Italy, Spain, then Scandinavia and later China. As always, bits and pieces from the U.S.," explains Jane in her memoirs of their 40 years as antiques dealers. Upon closing their antiques businesses (which were considered prominent sources for quality, diversity, and condition), the contents were carefully moved to a storage facility in Trumbull, CT awaiting the auction. It's always sad to see such a fine couple shut their doors after so many years in the industry, but we were honored to have the opportunity to find some truly beautiful pieces from such a respected and trusted source. Acquisition: Reputable auction house, Blackrock Galleries...
Bronze
Sold
H 67.33 in W 36.03 in D 7.88 in
Morrocan Painted Open Backed Cupboard Early 20th Century Folk Art
Located in Trensacq, FR
One of a kind Moroccan open backed cupboard. Beautiful, vibrant, hand painted double doored cabinet in great antique condition. A fabulous original piece that can be wall mounted an...
Iron
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Sample with Floral Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand painted cement tile with traditional floral design. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans in Fez Morocco. This is the tradi...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tiles with Moorish Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of four Moroccan handcrafted cement tile with traditional Green Moorish design. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans in Fez Morocco. This is the...
Cement
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile Sample with Moorish Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand painted cement tile with traditional Green Moorish design. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans in Fez Morocco. This i...
Cement