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.
Zsolnay Bright Yellow and Ochre Glazed Globular Earthenware Ewer
By Zsolnay
Located in Charleston, SC
Zsolnay Bright Yellow and Ochre Glazed Globular Earthenware Ewer A ZSOLNAY BRIGHT YELLOW AND OCHRE GLAZED GLOBULAR EARTHENWARE EWER, WITH GILT DETAIL, roughly 5.5” H, IMPRESSED PECS ...
Earthenware
Picault - Dalila, Signed Bronze Sculpture, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Delilah, patinated bronze sculpture: bust of a woman, very expressive and realistic of the biblical character Delilah is a female character known from the Old Testament, mainly for ...
Bronze
Large Wooden Sculpture, Moor With Dragon, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large black-tinted wooden sculpture of a Moorish woman carrying a shell, a dragon at her feet. The eyes and teeth are made of mother-of-pearl. Some missing parts (butcher's t...
Wood
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...
Ormolu
Alp Giroux, Silver-plated Bronze Inkwell, Orientalist, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Silver-plated bronze inkwell representing a bust of an Arab wearing a turban, which hides the hole for the ink pot, placed on an onyx base This inkwell in the orientalist style is s...
Onyx, Bronze
Ea Leroy, Cameroonian, Orientalist Bronze Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Cameroonian: very beautiful bronze sculpture with brown patina signed EA Leroy Emile Leroy is a traveling artist: in 1923, he joined the workshop of Jean Boucher at the Ecole des ...
Bronze
Viennese Cold-Painted Orientalist Bronze Group by Franz Bergman
By Franz Xaver Bergman (Bergmann)
Located in London, GB
Viennese cold-painted Orientalist bronze group by Franz Bergman Austrian, c.1900 Height 12cm, width 15cm, depth 9cm This small but intricately crafted and designed bronze group ...
Bronze
Fine 19th C. French Bronze Clock Garniture, Champlevé Enameled in Moorish Taste
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional quality bronze mounted Champlevé enamel 5 piece garniture set in Moorish style, French late 19th century. The clock signed Antony Bailly,...
Bronze, Enamel
Large Pair of 19th Century Russian Brass Candelabra with Turkish Influence
Located in Middleburg, VA
An enchanting and elaborate pair of 19th-century Russian candelabra, masterfully crafted from solid brass with rich Turkish design influence. These ...
Brass, Metal
18thC German Pewter and Wood "Draubenkrug" Stein
Located in Sarasota, FL
An early 18th century German "Draubenkrug" stein. Made with wooden staves and richly engraved reticulated pewter mounts that depict leaping stags and scrolled foliage. The lid top fe...
Pewter
Murano Glass Centerpiece by Giancarlo Signoretto, Italy, 1980
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Smart Venetian centerpiece, signed Signoretto and dated 1980 : very important unique piece ! Handles: Two moors black heads with turbans.: it's a ...
Art Glass
Fine Pair of Antique Enamel Marbleized Moser Glass Vases in Orientalist Style
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of antique Orientalist Moser enameled marbleized glass vases in the Orientalist style. With an unusual pink/brick color with four hand-applied glass handles. Each decorat...
Glass
Pair of Bronze Candlesticks Figural People Olympic Torch Bearer Women 19"H
Located in Greer, SC
Beautiful pair of bronze candlesticks featuring an Olympic torch bearer. Made from high-quality bronze, making these a unique set to add to your home d...
Bronze