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.
Middle Easter Moorish Silver and Copper Ewers
Located in Queens, NY
2 Middle Eastern Moorish-style (19/20th Century) silver plate on copper ewers (pitcher) with etched design (PRICED EACH)
Copper
Three Piece Moorish Style Jar and Bowl Collection
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An oval bowl with deep repousse decoration of foliate scrolls with flowers alternating with palmettes, with a dark patina in the background. The inside hand hammered around a leafy surround of the center. Measures: Length 11 1/2", Depth 8 `1/2", H. 2 1/4" Along with two graduated faceted glass...
Silver Plate
$1,113 / set
Set of Dishes, Ray Camart, France c. 1950
By Ray Camart
Located in St Ouen, FR
Earthenware with a cloudy cover characteristic of this artist's production, highlighted by a Moorish-inspired decoration, this service with refined shapes evokes both the art deco ae...
Earthenware
$515Sale Price|20% Off
Indian Beaten Brass Oval Dish, Moorish Style, Swan Handles, 1900
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Indian beaten brass oval dish with swan handles This is a very unusual piece, the oval dish is set on a short base and has truly “Swan Neck handles” one...
Brass
20th Century Stoneware Matte Dish with Ornamentals Relief Motifs
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Stoneware Matte dish with ornamentals relief motifs.
Stoneware
Handcrafted Moroccan Brass Vessel, Moorish Style, 19\" Diameter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Very handsome large scale brass cover. Large Moroccan ceremonial brass vessel for covering wedding presents, pastries or food, hand forged in Fez. Perfect ...
Brass
$128Sale Price|60% Off
Vintage Silver Plated Brass Engraved Lassi Cup from India
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand hammered silvered metal and brass engraved beaker beautifully hand chiseled and decorated with geometrical and botanical patterns. One-of-a-kind old Islamic Mughal style lassi drinking cup from India, beautifully hand etched by artisan. The timeworn patina varies from cup to cup. As per the intact tag inside the cup: "Lassi cups...
Silver Plate, Brass
20th Century French Tray
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite early 20th-century painted sheet metal tray is a beautiful example of vintage decorative artistry. Featuring a delicately hand-painted floral design, the centerpiece s...
Sheet Metal
Sold|$475
H 1 in W 12 in D 2 in
French "Spork" in Silver Plated Copper, Marked "LEGRY", 19th-20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Who doesn't need a spork? this one happens to be finely made and from the 19th century. Enough said? we think so.
$799
H 12 in W 29.5 in D 17.5 in
Vintage 1950's French Military Mess Kit with Trunk Industrial Dining Set
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming 1950's French military officer's mess kit. Kit appears mostly complete and includes original trunk with all of the items shown in the photos. This set can accomodate rough...
Metal
Moroccan Ceramic Blue and White Moorish Jar from Fez 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Decorative Moroccan glazed ceramic jar with lid from Fez. Moorish style Moorish ceramic urn handcrafted and hand painted with stylized floral design. Hand painted in Royal bl...
Ceramic
Large Moorish Moroccan Blue and White Ceramic Footed Lidded Jar from Fez
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large antique Moroccan blue and white ceramic urn with lid from Fez. Moorish style handcrafted lidded jar adorned with fine filigree silver nickel work Antique Hispano Moresque desig...
Metallic Thread
Middle Eastern Islamic Brass Inlaid Decorative Vase Moorish Style 19th C.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th century decorative beautiful and unusual Middle Eastern Islamic Moorish brass inlaid decorative vase with flared lip engraved and inlaid with silver and copper compound. Engraved and decorated with very fine Moorish Islamic designs in Arabic script, floral and organic designs in silver, copper and brass inlay with medallions inscription-filled surrounded by vegetal interlace and a band of foliate Arabesque patterns. Mamluke Persian Revival style, Islamic inlay...
Silver, Brass, Copper
Serving Oval Dish With Golden Border Gilding from Meissen
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique Oval Deep Dish from Meissen Meissen creates simple but impeccably elegant collections that fit perfectly into absolutely any interior, whether it is a strict classic or eleg...
Porcelain
$1,965 / set
H 24.5 in W 10.5 in D 9.25 in
Collection of Three Mediterranean Spanish Colonial Style Terracotta Jars
Located in Atlanta, GA
A collection of three Mediterranean terracotta jars on custom stands. These vintage terracotta vessels make for a lovely decorative collection, the two taller ones having nicely ribb...
Iron
Huge C Jere Style Brass Brutalist Leaf Wall Art Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Huge two piece brass brutalist torch cut metalwork tree branch and leaf wall art sculpture. The two wall art pieces were designed to be configured in ma...
Metal, Brass
$360 / set
H 0.75 in W 4.75 in D 1 in
Lot of Five Silver Plated Metal Animal Motif Knife Rests Austria 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of five silver plated figural flatware knife rests in the form of Animals, circa 1910s, European. Nice addition to every table or just for your collection. Tarnished and beauti...
Metal
$586 / item
H 14.97 in W 6.7 in D 3.94 in
Vase Genke CS3 - Contemporary Minimalist Decor in Brass and Steel by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
Genke Vase — part of the Suprematic Collection by NOOM, designed by Kateryna Sokolova, embodies the brand’s signature fusion of contemporary, bold, sculptural design with functional ...
Brass, Steel
$735 / item
H 14.18 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in
Gabo Vase CS7 - Sculptural Minimalist Design in Copper and Steel by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
Gabo vase, one of the vases from the "Suprematic" collection. Collection inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist Kazimir Malevich. Suprematism is a modernist moveme...
Copper, Steel
Moroccan Tea Glasses With Silver Raised Moorish Design, Set of 6
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of Six Moroccan shot tea glasses with Silver Raised Moorish Design. Great to add to your barware collection for hot or cold beverage. Serve your gu...
Glass
Sold
H 0.25 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Vintage Hand Painted Ceramic Square Coasters or Decorative Tiles, Set of 7
Located in Plainview, NY
Am exquisite set of vintage hand painted Moroccan ceramic square coasters or decorative tiles. Each piece features intricate Moorish design in blue, Brown and orange. This beautiful ...
Ceramic, Paint
Moroccan Ceramic Plate
Located in Manhasset, NY
With a beautiful arabesque design hand-painted in cherry red and white, this gorgeous, large-size ceramic dinner plate possesses a truly exotic look. Handcrafted in the bustling work...
Ceramic