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.
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
$520Sale Price / set|20% Off
Handmade Large Ceramic Serving Decorative, Center Table Plates, Set of 4
Located in Plainview, NY
With a delightful floral and arabesque design hand painted in multiple colors in blue, yellow, green and orange. These gorgeous, large-size ceramic dinner plates possess a truly exot...
Ceramic, Paint
Moorish Brass Filigree Brazier with Dome Cover, Hand-Crafted
Located in Queens, NY
Middle Eastern Moorish/Damascus 3 piece brass brazier stand with 4 ring handles and filigree dome cover with a moon & star finial.
Brass
$560Sale Price / set|20% Off
Handmade Large Ceramic Serving, Decorative or Center Table Plate, Set of 2
Located in Plainview, NY
Intricate and ornate arabesque motifs in mesmerizing colors define these large, gorgeous ceramic dinner plates. Handcrafted in the bustling workshops of master artisans in the coasta...
Ceramic, Paint
Large Hand Built Ceramic Platter in Black Gloss Glaze
Located in New York, NY
Large hand built ceramic platter in dark brown stoneware with luscious black glaze. At over 16 inches in diameter this platter will make a statement on your table! Notoriously hard t...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$2,800
H 3.25 in W 9.75 in D 9.25 in
Baccarat Crystal Decorative Centerpiece Bowl, Hand-Crafted in France
By Baccarat
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted baccarat crystal decorative centerpiece bowl. The piece is in excellent condition. Maker's mark etched underneath. Minor shelves wear. The centerpiece measur...
Crystal
Fumé Glass Decorative Plate, Italy, 1970s, Geometric Design, 29.5 cm
Located in Roma, IT
Glass decorative plate is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s. Original art glass. Fumé glass. Made in Italy. The dish is decorated with several geomtrical l...
Glass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Candelabrum & Pair Serving Trays
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Hanover, MA
A three piece serving centerpiece grouping from among the least commonly seen items from the 1950's brass ware collection designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths, consisting of an exceptionally large candelabrum for five tapers with two tiers of round bon bon trays, and a matching pair of two-tier serving trays...
Brass
$1,725Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 22.05 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Pair of Black Ceramic Italian Vases, Bucaros, Centerpieces
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing pair of Italian black vases or Bucaros with lid ,in black ceramic , large in size and of great decorative strength in their shapes. The pieces are made by hand, so each piec...
Ceramic
$1,640 / set
H 9.45 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Set of Three Decorative White Ceramic Boxes or Pots by Lion French Handmade
By Eugène Lion
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Eugene Lion, circa 1940 Set of three decorative pots or boxes in stoneware ceramic. Elegant white ceramic glaze color. Original form of the 20th mid-century design. n°...
Ceramic
$1,797Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.35 in Dm 24.41 in
Very Large Antique Decorative Serving Plate, Belgian, Ceramic Charger, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a very large antique decorative serving plate. A Belgian, ceramic charger with blue and white finish, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Of Impressive size, with ...
Ceramic
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
Ribera Handmade Large Centerpiece Bowl - Stoneware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful large centerpiece bowl crafted from stoneware clay. Inspired by the vibrant marine life of the reef and the soft motion of ocean waves, this extra large fruit bowl showcases a distinctive blend of artistry and nature, capturing the tranquil beauty of the sea. Each centerpiece bowl is wheel-thrown and hand-glazed in our studio, featuring a soft, white matte finish that beautifully enhances the organic textures of the clay. The glaze has been specially formulated for this collection, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Ideal for keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as a striking standalone accent, this white centerpiece bowl...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Palms Center Table Serving Piece
Located in Paris, FR
Serving piece palms center table with 2 plates and base in enameled porcelain. With solid bronze structure and details in vintage finish. Elegant piece.
Bronze
$621 / item
H 4.34 in Dm 11.82 in
Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Large Round Cake Stand, Varnished SilverNickel Plated
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Kubbe collection was designed with inspiration from the domes of the courtyards, shops and workshops of the Grand Bazaar, which has been the center of silver-smiting in Istanbul for ...
Brass, Nickel
$154Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 10.63 in
Ceramic Dinner Plate, Handmade in Italy 2021, Choose Your Pattern
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
For more than 30 years this artist has revolutionized the way of thinking about stone. Their artisan techniques are the result of careful research and deep knowledge of the subject: ...
Lava
Vintage Moroccan Pottery Bowl From Fez by Art De Poterie
Located in Ross, CA
Large Vintage Art de Poterie ACH pottery bowl made in Fez. As is typical of Fez pottery this bowl intricate shapes, designs and decorative flourishes with ...
Ceramic
Handmade Large Colorful Ceramic Serving Decorative, Center Table Plates
Located in Plainview, NY
With a delightful floral and arabesque design hand painted in multiple colors in red, yellow, green, and black. These gorgeous, large-size ceramic dinner plates possess a truly exoti...
Ceramic, Paint
Handmade Large Colorful Ceramic Serving Decorative, Center Table Plates
Located in Plainview, NY
Intricate and ornate arabesque motifs in mesmerizing colors of meadow green, white and burgundy define these large, gorgeous ceramic dinner plates. Handcrafted in the bustling worksh...
Ceramic, Paint
Large Ceramic Plate, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
Serving decorative or center table plate with a delightful floral and arabesque design hand painted in multiple colors in blue, yellow and red. These gorgeous, large-size ceramic din...
Ceramic
Moroccan Silvered Copper Charger, Large Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
A large-scale 19th century charger with intricate incised Moorish inspired decoration throughout. With deeply scalloped hand-hammered edge , flor...
Copper
Antique Moorish Hand Enameled Gilt Metal Aesthetic Figural Emu Compote
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Moorish gilt metal figural compote features bowl with enameled geometric decoration and supported by three cast emus, circa 1890. Measures: 9.25" height x 11" diameter ove...
Metal
Lalique "Tunis" Clear and Frosted Glass Bowl Centerpiece
By Lalique
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Lalique centerpiece bowl in frosted crystal with clear rim and base, embellished with Arabesques and Volutes. Script signature: Lalique France, on base, and Lalique Paris s...
Crystal
Moroccan Blue Ceramic Jar with Lid
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Blue Ceramic Jar with Lid. Hand-crafted ceramic jar with lid from Fez. Teal color light turquoise blue. Circa 1960's. Size: H 20" x 17'...