Moorish Clocks

MOORISH STYLE

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.

Style: Moorish

19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in Orientalist Motif

Located in Nantucket, MA

19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in "Orientalist" Motif, circa 1850, a romantic movement/Orientalist ormolu clock with ornate baroque case surmounted by an Arabic rider on rearing steed, with sabre drawn overhead, an enamel dial with Roman numerals, bell-strike mechanism by F.L. Hausburg, Paris, and marked on dial "Medaille d'Argent, Vincenti and Cie...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in Orientalist Motif

$5,400

Antique French Orientalist/Moorish Silver/Gilt Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock

Located in New York, NY

A very unusual 19th century antique French orientalist/Moorish silvered bronze, gilt bronze and champleve enamel figural clock, signed Boulez, marks on movement ROBLIN & FILS FRERES,...

Category

1880s French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique French Orientalist/Moorish Silver/Gilt Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock

$24,500

Belle Époque Period Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock in Moorish Style

Located in London, GB

This beautiful clock, formed from gilt bronze and porcelain, is designed and decorated in a discernibly Moorish style. The clock is supported by a flat shaped gilt bronze base, the base supporting four gilt bronze columns that support the gilt bronze clock drum. The cylindrical drum contains a circular dial, the dial of porcelain and inscribed with Roman numerals. The gilt bronze throughout is cast and chased with geometrical motifs—particularly evident on the front of the four vertical columns. These motifs are distinctively Moorish in scheme, the lattice-type geometrical sequences recalling Islamic decorative...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Belle Époque Period Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock in Moorish Style

$7,600

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

$8,014

H 18.51 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock

By Claude Galle

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock. circa 1810 clock Napoleonic Empire Bronze Dore. La Liseuse" clock after Reiche, by Claude Galle & Grand Girad. Signed in Paris

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock

$6,000 Sale Price

20% Off

H 9 in W 15 in D 9 in

Antique French Gilt Bronze Baroque Clock

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

A beautiful original antique French clock, modelled in the Baroque style in gilt bronze. It is of architectural form with an applied motif of flowers, scrolls and cornucopia. Scrolli...

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Gilt Bronze Baroque Clock

$3,143

H 18.25 in W 9.75 in D 6 in

French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock

$5,251

H 29.53 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in

French Antique Ormolu Mantle Clock

Located in London, GB

An attractive Parisian mantle clock in the Louis XVI manner Retailed by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Constructed in Carrar...

Category

19th Century English Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Antique Ormolu Mantle Clock

$17,273

H 13.98 in W 13.98 in D 3.94 in

Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

A stunning and large original antique French gilded bronze clock. It is of the most beautiful Rococo style, waisted case decorated with 'C' scrolls, acanthus leaves and floral swags....

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock

$2,756

H 17.75 in W 10.5 in D 5 in

Mid-19th Century French Slate & Marble Mantle Clock

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Mid-19th century French slate & marble mantle clock. Drum head form. Black slate & green, black & white marble. Made by P. Marti et Cie. 8-day movement. History of clock repairs on b...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Marble, Slate

Mid-19th Century French Slate & Marble Mantle Clock

$600

H 10.25 in W 15.88 in D 5.75 in

Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

Located in London, GB

This beautiful clock set, which comprises of a mantel clock and a pair of vases, was designed in France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been craft...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

$11,745 / set

H 16.54 in W 8.27 in D 6.7 in

Antique Cloisonne Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set

Located in London, GB

This wonderful cloisonne enamel clock set is an artful piece of design in the neoclassical style: each piece is elaborately applied with turquoi...

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Antique Cloisonne Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set

$16,582 / set

H 14.18 in W 10.63 in D 5.52 in

French 19th Century Champleve enamel mantle clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very impressive fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and Champleve enamel mantle clock. Having a seated cherub above the clock face, and a...

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Champleve enamel mantle clock

$7,600

H 21.66 in W 11.03 in D 8.67 in

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock

Located in London, GB

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock French, 19th Century Height 30cm, width 18cm, depth 14.5cm This fine mantel clock is of rectangular form, with a gilt bron...

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock

$6,218

H 11.82 in W 7.09 in D 5.71 in

Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

Located in London, GB

The contrast between rich blue enamel, in light and dark hues, and bright gilt bronze gives this carriage clock a sumptuous, luxurious feel. With a t...

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

$8,981

H 7.88 in W 4.34 in D 3.94 in

Previously Available Items

Antique French Empire Moorish Revival Style Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in New York, NY

A finely crafted French gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock in the Empire style made for the Islamic market, dating from late 19th to early 20th century, with portico case with go...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Moorish Revival Style Bronze Mantel Clock

H 23.63 in W 11.25 in D 5.75 in

French Marble, Onyx, Enamel and Ormolu Pedestal Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

This beautiful French vitrine clock styled in the Moroccan taste is an exquisite work of artistry and craftsmanship. Featuring a clock, thermometer and barometer, no detail has been overlooked regarding its functionality, design and construction. This magnificent clock rests on four bracket feet with gadrooned ormolu bases atop a square red marble plinth...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Enamel, Ormolu

French Marble, Onyx, Enamel and Ormolu Pedestal Clock

H 58.88 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in

Moorish Mantel Clock by Tiffany & Co.

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

An incredible example of American clockmaking, this Tiffany & Co. mahogany and gilt bronze mantel clock is a shining example of the firm's outstanding artistry in decorative metalwor...

Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Moorish Mantel Clock by Tiffany & Co.

H 29 in W 14.75 in D 11.38 in

Gilt Bronze and Malachite Three-Piece Clock Set in the Moorish Revival Style

Located in London, GB

This unusual three-piece clock set is crafted in the Moorish style, which was revived in the 19th century as part of a larger movement and general interest in Asia and the Far East. ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Moorish Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Malachite Three-Piece Clock Set in the Moorish Revival Style

H 25.2 in W 14.97 in D 7.88 in

Moorish clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Moorish clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ormolu and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Moorish clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,400 and tops out at $98,500 while the average work can sell for $15,657.