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.
Antique Turkish Ottoman Metal Tinned Copper Vessel Islamic Moorish Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Turkish Ottoman tinned copper metal round Moorish vessel. Antique Middle eastern Asian Islamic tinned copper large bowl nicely hand-hammered....
Copper, Tin
$737Sale Price|46% Off
Moroccan Moorish Polished Copper Tray Early 20th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Morrocan copper tray Geometric motifs Good condition. Shipping: Diam 43 H 3 1.3 kg.
Copper
Large Solid Copper Round Tray With Scalloped Edge
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely crafted solid Copper Tray with great size and solid weight. The Tray has a decorative raised and scalloped edge as well as a series of incised concentric double line circle de...
Copper
$950Sale Price|29% Off
Moroccan Polished Round Footed Silvered Tray Table
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan metal silver plated polished round serving brass tray with traditional geometric designs and brass inlay decoration around on three feet. Moroccan polished round footed...
Metal, Brass
$628Sale Price|20% Off
French Golden Copper Tray Profile of the Wife of Louis 14, 19th Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French copper golden plate in commemration of Marie-Thérèse of Austria and Louis XIV king. This dish was produced in 1860 to commemorate the two-hundredth anniversary of the marriage...
Copper
$587Sale Price|42% Off
Moroccan Moorish Polished Copper Tray Early 20th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Morrocan copper tray Geometric motifs Good condition. Shipping: Diam 39 H 3 0.8 kg.
Copper
19th Century Brass Brazier with Skewers
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century brass brazier with skewers Measures: 22" diameter x 11" high + 12" lid = maximum height with lid 23" Comes with collection of brass sk...
Brass
Middle Eastern Antique Dallah Arabic Copper Coffee Pot
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th century Middle Eastern Arabian tinned copper Dallah coffee pot. Antique decorative Arabic coffee pot hand-hammered and chased copper with riveted br...
Brass, Copper
$1,456 / item
H 1.97 in Dm 16.15 in
Mafra Round Serving Tray, Estremoz Marble, Swarovski Crystal Handles, Ø 41 cm
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mafra is a round serving tray with a disc of white Estremoz marble set in a rim upholstered in a beige faux leather, with two stainless steel handles set with Swarovski crystals, mad...
Marble, Crystal
Japanese Antique Copper Alloyr Tray / 1800-1900 / Gong / Wabi-Sabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I bought a very attractive copper tray. This is an item that was once used as a gong. In other words, it was used as a percussion instrument. It was also used in temples. The materi...
Copper
Vintage Liqueur Set, Bohemian Glass, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Liqueur set is an original decorative object realized in the 1930s in Bohemian glass. This wonderful liqueur set consisting of a carafe and six goblets, clear glass bordeaux...
Art Glass
Full Moon Large Copper Tray by Elisa Ossino
By Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
Full Moon is a large circular copper tray and it is part of the Lunar Landscape collection designed by Elisa Ossino, who conceived for Paola C. a tableware collection, revisiting the...
Copper
Large Flow Round Contemporary Carved Walnut Ebonized Tray / Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large flow round contemporary ebonized serving board by Vincent Pocsik Carved walnut cutting board with ebonized finish. Natural food safe oil and wax finish. Vincent Pocsi...
Walnut
Silver Jewish Multi-Tiered Passover Seder Tray
Located in London, GB
Silver Jewish multi-tiered Passover Seder tray Continental, Early 20th Century Height 28cm, diameter 37cm Made for the Jewish religious festival of...
Silver
French 19th Century Copper Fish Pan
Located in Round Top, TX
A very lovely mid-19th century copper fish pan - poissoniere - from the South of France. A terrific accent piece for a kitchen, bathroom or living area.
Copper
Handmade White Carrara Marble Tray / Plate with Edges
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
White Carrara marble tray or plate. Ideal for many uses and ambient: living room, studio, kitchen. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades)...
Marble
$1,821 / item
H 14.57 in Dm 15.75 in
New Moon Large Glass Bell with Copper and Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
By Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
New Moon is a blown glass bell with a tray in Carrara marble and copper. This object is part of the Lunar Landscape collection designed by Elisa Ossino, who created a collection of t...
Carrara Marble, Copper
Antique 19th Century French Set of Four Copper Pans
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French set of four copper pans of circular form having a tempered copper base, iron handles with copper rivets and hanging holes. They are heavier than the average...
Copper
Antique Hand Hammered Brass Middle Eastern Moorish Serving Tray
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-481 Antique Large decorative Moorish hand made brass tray with elaborative and fine Islamic geometric designs with pie crest edge
Brass
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 8 in W 12 in D 1 in
Antique Asian Silver Plate Engraved Expanding Tea Trivet Decorative Stand
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Hand engraved expanding tea trivet with unique design and exuding finesse. May be used as a decorative screen, plaque or objet d'art, circa 1900-1910.
Silver Plate
Antique George III Set of Four Copper Pans
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III set of four copper pans of circular form having a tempered copper base, iron handles with copper rivets and hanging holes. They are heavier than the average coppe...
Copper
19th Century Chinoserie Tray
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large serving tray in metal. Golden hand-painted chinoserie details on black colored metal. Backside black colored. Painted with flowers, birds all around and a chinese family in th...
Metal
$560
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 10.38 in
Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.5 in Dm 9 in
1940s Antique Round Moroccan Brass Serving Dish with Dome Lid and Paw Lion Feet.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique round Moroccan brass dish with dome lid and paw lion feet. Beautiful Moroccan handcrafted covered footed serving dish with embossed textured brass top and bowl. This lovely p...
Brass
Moroccan Moorish Polished Copper Tray Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Morrocan copper tray Geometric motifs Good condition. Shipping: Diameter 48.5 Height 2.5 1.8 kg.
Copper
Footed Brass Silvered Moorish Caviar Server
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Serve caviar in the most appropriate manner with this handcrafted Middle Eastern Moorish caviar bowl. Handcrafted brass bowl, roll top round dome with very ornate Persian style desi...
Brass
Sold
H 9 in W 8.25 in D 5 in
Antique Pair of Figural Persian Turkish Copper Teapots with Stylized Birds
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Persian Turk teapots offer copper construction with etched design, pierced and hinged lids, and stylized birds throughout, 19th century Measures: 9" H x 8.25" W...
Copper
Handcrafted White Crackled Ceramic Fruit Bowl Charger
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted large Mexican handcrafted glazed pottery fruit bowl with iron handles. Spanish white crackled ceramic fruit bowl handmade with ethnic l...
Ceramic
Moroccan Moorish Rectangular Brass Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan Moorish rectangular brass tray hammered with fine delicate geometrical and floral designs. Could be used as a serving tray...
Brass
Moroccan Moorish Rectangular Brass Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan Moorish rectangular brass tray hammered with fine delicate geometrical and floral designs. Could be used as a serving tray ...
Brass
Sold
H 2.5 in W 20.5 in D 29 in
Rare Cuban Cigar Band Collection Tray by Holly Lueders for Frank McIntosh
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rare folio collections of Cuban cigar labels, produced during the “Golden Age” of cigar label art. Collector’s label brands with full-color portraits fea...
Metal
Moorish Silver Repousse Serving Dish Tajine with Cover
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous hand chased silver repousse plated large Moroccan tajine dish with cover, typically used for presenting cookies or bread. Hand chased etching ...
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Moroccan Silver Repousse Plated Serving Dish Tajine with Cover
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous hand chased silver repousse plated large Moroccan tajine dish with cover, typically used for presenting cookies or bread.Hand chased etching a...
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Moroccan Silver Repousse Decorative Dish Tajine with Cover
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous hand chased silver plated large Moroccan tajine dish with cover, typically used for presenting cookies or bread. Hand chased etching and embo...
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Moroccan Moorish Rectangular Brass Tray Wall Hanging
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Moorish rectangular brass tray with fine delicate geometrical designs. Could be used as a serving tray, or decorative wall hanging. Fin...
Brass
Moroccan Polished Round Metal Copper Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan polished round serving metal copper tray platter with traditional geometric Moorish designs. Handcrafted by Master artisans in Fez, hand-hammered copper using simple...
Brass, Copper
Moroccan Polished Round Brass Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan polished round serving brass tray platter with traditional geometric Moorish designs. Handcrafted by Master artisans in Fez, hand-hammered brass using simple tools,...
Brass
Moroccan Handcrafted Silver Round Tray with Brass Overlay Moorish Designs
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous hand chased silver plated large Moroccan round serving tray. Hand-carved amazing Moorish etching motif and silver finish with brass floral design on the trim. George V sty...
Silver Plate, Brass