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.
Large Islamic Hand-Etched Brass Pot with Arabic Calligraphy Writing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large middle eastern Persian Islamic finely and heavily hand-etched and hand-carved brass decorated with Arabic inscriptions. Could be used as a Jar...
Brass
Antique Persian Etched Tinned Copper Footed Decorative Bowl, Circa 18th C
Located in Germantown, MD
An antique Islamic or Indo-Persian etched footed bowl, made of tinned copper, dating possibly from the 17th to 18th century. Key features include: Constructed from tinned copper ...
Metal, Copper, Tin
Antique Ethnic North African Moroccan Silver Anklet Ashtray Catchall Dish
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Ethnic North African traditional anklet silver and brass bracelet made into a vide poche, dish, catchall or silver ashtray. Unusual silver tone metal dish made from an Africa...
Silver Plate, Brass
Moroccan Ceramic Plate Adorned with Silver Filigree from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted large Moroccan polychrome decorative ceramic plate from Fez. Bleu de Fez, very nice designs hand painted by artist in Fez. Geometrical and floral designs and adorned wit...
Ceramic
Moroccan Ceramic Plate, Hand-Painted Moorish Design, Circa 1920s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 20th century blue Moroccan Ceramic plate hand made in Fez. Handcrafted and glazed decorative ceramic bowl from Fez, Morocco. Featuring an elaborate hand-painted Moorish pattern...
Ceramic
Antique Moroccan Moorish Handcrafted Ceramic Bowl Dish from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique handcrafted large Moroccan Moorish polychrome decorative ceramic bowl from Fez. Bleu de Fez, very nice designs hand painted by artist in Fez. Antique ceramic handcrafted bowl...
Ceramic
17th Century Hispano Moresque Lusterware Pottery Charger
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 17th Century Hispano-Moresque Lusterware Pottery Charger. The charger features a deep rounded form with a rich terracotta glaze over a cream background. The central design radi...
Pottery
Hand Painted Ceramic Decorative Moorish Plate 1950s
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage polychrome hand painted and handcrafted ceramic wall decorative plate with polychrome Ottoman floral design. This is an intricately, hand painted Moorish plate that was made in Turkey. Turkey is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted geometrical Moorish design in burgundy, yellow, turquoise, light and dark blue. An Islamic ceramic...
Ceramic
Middle Eastern Moorish Hand-Etched Copper Bowl with Islamic Writing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Middle Eastern Egyptian Islamic tinned copper bowl etched and hand carved. 19th century Islamic tinned cooper bowl hand-etched with Kufic Islamic...
Copper
Large Hispano-Moresque Copper Lustre Bowl, XVII Century, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Large Hispano-Moresque Copper Lustre Bowl, XVII Century, Spain. Round earthenware dish with metallic reflected decoration of a palm and flowers and with a filleted border. From the Spanish town of Manise, Valencia. Chips and flakes in the enamel and antique stapled...
Ceramic
Egyptian Mameluke Brass Bowl, Hand-Hammered, Moorish Style, 1850
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Egyptian hand-etched and repousse Mameluke style brass bowl. Could be used as a jardinière, cache pot for a large orchids composition. Engraved and hand-embossed with Arabic Islami...
Brass
Antique Moroccan Ceramic Glazed Bowl Handcrafted in Fez Meknes Jobbana 1900
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique large Moroccan handcrafted glazed polychrome ceramic bowl. Moroccan, Fez or Meknes bowl Jobbana with geometric Moorish designs. Hand painted ceramic Jubbana bowl, handcrafted by skilled Moroccan artisans in Fez Morocco...
Ceramic
Moroccan Blue Ceramic Dish Bowl Adorned with Silver Filigree from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moorish Moroccan Bleu de Fez decorative ceramic Bowl, dish. Ceramic bowl in Bleu de Fez, very nice designs hand painted by artist in Fez. Geometrical and floral Moorish ...
Ceramic
Antique Moroccan Ceramic Bowl Adorned with Moorish Silver Filigree from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moorish Moroccan polychrome decorative ceramic Bowl, dish from Fez. Bleu de Fez, very nice designs hand painted by artist in Fez. Geometrical and floral Moorish design...
Ceramic
Moroccan Moorish Ceramic Bowl Adorned with Silver Filigree from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moorish Moroccan polychrome decorative ceramic Bowl, dish from Fez. Bleu de Fez, very nice designs hand painted by artist in Fez. Geometrical and floral Moorish design...
Ceramic
Moroccan Ceramic Blue Bowl Adorned with Silver Filigree from Fez Antique 1920s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moorish Moroccan blue decorative ceramic Bowl, dish from Fez. Moroccan ceramic bowl in Bleu de Fez, very nice designs hand painted by artist in Fez. Geometrical and flora...
Ceramic
Moorish Hand-Etched Brass Bowl, 19th Century Islamic Art
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Small brass Middle Eastern Moorish bowl finely and heavily hand-etched and hand carved with brass repousse and decorated with Arabic inscription...
Brass
Large Hispano-Moresque Blue & Copper Lustre Bowl, XVII Century, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Large Hispano-Moresque Blue & Copper Lustre Bowl, XVII Century, Spain. Round earthenware dish with metallic reflected decoration of leaves with a central blue floral m...
Ceramic
Pair of Hispano-Moresque Copper Lustre Honey Pots, XVII Century, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Pair of Hispano-Moresque Copper Lustre Honey Pots, XVII Century, Spain. Two Hispano-Moorish ceramic honey pots from Manises with a decoration called "kidneys" with met...
Ceramic
19th C. Moroccan Ceramic Bowl Polychrome Footed Dish Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th C. Moroccan Ceramic Bowl Polychrome Footed Dish Fez. A 19th-century antique ceramic footed bowl from Morocco, Fez, showcases the exquisite artistry of Mokhfia polychrome...
Ceramic
Large Indo-Persian Tinned Copper Moorish Jar With Lid
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Indo Persian Mughal tinned copper vessel. Moorish Brass Bowl Engraved with Islamic design. Large Middle Eastern Persian Mameluke style tinned copper jar...
Metal, Brass, Copper
Antique 19th C. Moroccan Ceramic Bowl Polychrome Footed Dish Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A 19th-century antique ceramic footed bowl from Morocco, Fez, showcases the exquisite artistry of Mokhfia polychrome pottery. The bowl boasts a deep rounded form with a flattened rim...
Ceramic, Pottery
Moroccan Ceramic Bowl with Lid Tajine from Fez Polychrome
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan large ceramic decorative serving bowl tajine polychrome with leather, stones and metal overlay with conical overlay lid. The bottom is a circular ceramic bowl and the top of the tagine is distinctively shaped into a cone. Handcrafted and hand painted with Moorish designs by artisans in Fez Morocco. Great decorative Moroccan Folk ceramic...
Ceramic
Middle Eastern Moorish Antique Round Brass Tray 20 inches
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Middle Eastern Moorish antique round brass tray. 19th century handcrafted circular brass platter hammered with Islamic Moorish designs. Heavy brass wit...
Brass
Antique Moorish Hand-Etched Copper Brass Bowl, 19th Century, Asia, 17"
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large antique Islamic 19th century Middle Eastern Moorish hand-etched tined copper brass bowl, 17 inches diameter. Could be used as a jardinière for a la...
Copper
Moroccan Moorish Ceramic Bowl with Lid, Tajine from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan ceramic decorative serving tajine polychrome with leather, stones and metal overlay with conical overlay lid. The bottom is a circular ceramic bowl and the top of the tagine is distinctively shaped into a cone. Handcrafted and hand painted with Moorish designs by artisans in Fez Morocco. Great decorative Moroccan Folk ceramic...
Ceramic
Middle Eastern Egyptian Moorish Hand-Etched Islamic Brass Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Metal brass Middle Eastern Moorish Islamic bowl finely and heavily hand-etched and hand carved with brass repousse. 19th century Islamic Egyptian hand-et...
Brass
Middle Eastern Hand-Etched Islamic Brass Vase with Calligraphy Writing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Brass Middle Eastern Egyptian Islamic bowl finely and heavily hand-etched and hand carved with Arabic calligraphy writing inscriptions. Islamic hand-etched Moorish style brass vessel. Engraved and hand-chased Arabic Islamic calligraphy and geometric arabesque and floral designs on polished brass vase. Fine brass decorative Middle Eastern Islamic art metalwork object. Measures: Top opening: 4" Base 3.75" Widest part diameter 9" Height 4.25". Condition. Some dents see pictures. While this bowl has certainly witnessed the passage of time, it remains in remarkably good condition, with only minor signs of age that add character to its appearance. The patina on the brass enhances its antique allure, making it a truly authentic and captivating collectible. Arabic Calligraphy: The Arabic writing on the bowl is a work of art in itself. The calligraphy showcases the mastery of the scribe's hand, with flowing curves and intricate details that form an elegant script. The script may include Quranic verses, blessings, or poetic verses, depending on the bowl's origin and purpose. The inscriptions are not only visually striking but also carry profound meaning, making this bowl a beautiful representation of Islamic heritage. Intricate Patterns: In addition to the Arabic calligraphy, the bowl features intricate geometric patterns and motifs that further enhance its visual appeal. These patterns are a hallmark of Islamic art and reflect the mathematical precision and artistic creativity that defined Islamic craftsmanship. This antique Islamic brass bowl...
Brass
19th Century Indo Persian Mughal Tinned Copper Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large 19th century tinned copper Indo Persian Mughal copper bowl vessel. Great patina on handcrafted and embossed metal tin copper bowl with floral geo...
Bronze, Copper, Tin
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Moorish Gilt Bronze Figural Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Moorish Gilt Bronze Figural Centerpiece France, 1880s Experience the allure of late 19th century French Moorish/Orientalist art with this extraordinary gilt bro...
Bronze
Glazed Islamic Hispano-Moresque Earthenware Dish Yellow Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique glazed Hispano-Moresque earthenware dish yellow Islamic bowl. Early 20th century Moorish terracotta bowl with bright yellow glaze. Glazed Mauresque Spanish Talavera pottery bowl ware. Hispano-Moresque earthenware dish Majolica in polychrome Moorish floral pattern. Islamic pottery vessel hand painted in splashes of colors in green, saffron yellow and teal floral decoration, very modern and abstract naïf composition. Tin-glazed Persian style earthenware with a lustre glaze, made in Spain...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
Middle Eastern Moorish Brass Bowl Engraved with Arabic Calligraphy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th Century Middle Eastern Moorish brass repousse bowl, finely hand-etched, engraved, hammered and chased with elaborate Moorish Syrian designs decorated with medallions of Arabic c...
Brass
19th Century Mughal Indo Persian Footed Tinned Copper Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mughal Islamic Indo Persian red copper footed bowl, of compressed hemispherical shape, resting on a splayed conical foot, with slightly everted rim,...
Metal, Copper
Vintage Moroccan Hazel Atlas Amethyst Triangle Pair of Ashtrays
By Hazel-Atlas
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan amethyst set of two ashtrays from the 1950s. Small individual ashtrays Vintage hazel atlas Moroccan amethyst ashtrays glass in a triangle ...
Art Glass
Vintage Moorish Bowl by Berber Tribes of Morocco, Hand-Crafted, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage decorative Moorish bowl blue and white.
Ceramic
20th Century Stoneware Matte Dish with Ornamentals Relief Motifs
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Stoneware Matte dish with ornamentals relief motifs.
Stoneware
Rubin Red Plate Gold Luster Glided Hand Painted Majolica Centerpiece Bowl Deruta
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
The dish, made of majolica painted in duotone of blue and red, features dense decoration, inspired by the Moorish style, throughout its surface. The outer band of the brim is richly ...
Gold Plate