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.
Sultano Onion Dome Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Italian Hand-Blown Venetian Caged Glass Flush Mount / Wall Light, Mid-20th Century A striking Italian flush mount featuring a hand-blown Venetian glass globe in a rich amber hue, en...
Metal
Pair of Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two hand blown Italian flush mount, fabulous Venetian caged light smoked or amber glass in a iron frame. It can also be used as wall light as the globe is held tight to the ...
Metal
Single Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand blown Italian flush mount, fabulous Venetian caged light smoked or amber glass in an iron frame. It can also be used as wall light as the globe is held tight to the ...
Metal
Sultano Onion Dome Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A hand blown Italian flush mount, fabulous Venetian caged light orange glass in a iron frame. it can also be used as wall light as the globe is held tight to the fixture with screws....
Metal
Pair of Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful pair of ceiling lights on a porcelain base with decorated shades in glass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half by Høvik Lys. Both lamps are fully workin...
Porcelain, Glass
$3,426
H 3.55 in Dm 11.82 in
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Sconce or Flush Mount by Hillebrand Germany 1950s
By Bünte und Remmler, Ernest Igl, Hillebrand
Located in Munich, DE
Rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern ceiling lamp or sconce. Manufactured probably by Hillebrand Leuchten, Germany, 1950s. Executed in partly perforated brass and ...
Metal, Brass
Enameled Glass & Brass Flush Mount, Germany 1950s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
German designer, late Art Deco style flush mount, 1950s. The light features a round, slightly convex glass shade in a soft light green color with an etched radial pattern emanating ...
Brass
Venini, Flush Mount, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Venini
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and Murano glass flush mount produced by Venini, Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.0"H x 10.8"W x 10.8"D Bulb Specifications: E-14 (European) Bulbs Number of...
Brass
Copper Flush Mounts or Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
(3) 1950s Italian copper flush mount or wall fixtures in glass, copper and aluminum. Wired for the US. Can be used as ceiling mounts or wall fixtures/sconces. Single E12 candelabra b...
Aluminum, Copper
Pair of Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
This elegant pair of flush mount ceiling lights from the 1950s. A wonderful example of early mid-century modern design from the Nordic region. Designed during a time when Scandinavia...
Porcelain, Glass
Two Large Italian Murano Glass Flush Mounts or Sconces
Located in Antwerp, BE
One of two Italian glass and brass flush mounts or wall lights with 60 glass flowers. Measures: Diameter: 65 cm. Height:18 cm. The light requires five single E14 screw fit lightbulb...
Brass
Two Large Italian Flush Mounts or Sconces
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two Italian glass and brass flush mounts or wall lights with 60 glass flowers. Measures: Diameter: 65 cm. Height:18 cm. Five E14 bulbs.
Brass
Pair of Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful pair of ceiling lights on a porcelain base with shades in crystalized glass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half. Both lamps are fully working and in go...
Porcelain, Glass
Murano glass flush mount light by Seguso, Italy circa 1950s
Located in Long Island City, NY
Murano glass flush mount ceiling light by Seguso. Made in Italy in 1950s. Murano ribbed glass, brass, metal. 4 medium base sockets. Rewired for US. FREE US rewiring upon request. FRE...
Metal, Brass
$1,558Sale Price / item|27% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 17.33 in
Two Emil Stejnar Brass Crystal Flush Mounts or Sconces, Austria, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Wien, AT
Two Emil Stejnar brass crystal flush mounts or sconces, Austria for Rupert Nikoll, Austria, 1950s Original condition Priced and sell per piece.
Crystal, Brass
$5,410
H 5.12 in Dm 22.05 in
Large & Elegant Mid-Century Sconce or Flush Mount by Hillebrand Germany 1950s
By Hillebrand, Ernest Igl, Bünte und Remmler
Located in Munich, DE
Large, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern ceiling lamp or sconce. Manufactured probably by Hillebrand Leuchten, Germany, 1950s. Executed in partly perforated and ename...
Metal
Sold
H 10 in Dm 14.5 in
Sultano Onion Dome Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A hand blown Italian flush mount, fabulous Venetian caged light orange glass in a iron frame. it can also be used as wall light as the globe is held tight to the fixture with screws....
Metal
Sultano Onion Dome Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A hand blown Italian flush mount, fabulous Venetian caged light lime green glass in a iron frame. It can also be used as wall light as the globe is held tight to the fixture with scr...
Metal
Sold
H 8.5 in Dm 11.5 in
Sultano Onion Dome Iron Caged Venetian Glass Flush Mount or Sconce, Italy 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A hand blown Italian flush mount, fabulous Venetian caged iridescent light lilac or dark pink glass in a iron frame. It can also be used as wall light as...
Metal
Large Moroccan Frosted Star Shape Glass Chandelier Shade
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan hanging star pendant shade. Large Moroccan frosted star shape glass chandelier shade Handcrafted large Moorish Spanish style light...
Metal
Large Moroccan Star Shape Frosted Glass Chandelier Shade
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan hanging star pendant shade. Handcrafted large Moorish Spanish style light fixture with a metal frame and frosted milky glass with de...
Metal
Ma'shar Gilded Flush Mount Light Fixture
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A metal disc hand gilded with gold leaf. Each fixture is unique in it's finishing. Suitable for either wall or ceiling applications. The fixture casts a very unique shadow while em...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 23.2 in Dm 25.6 in
Large Venetian Art Glass Flush Mount / Pendant Design by Mariano Fortuny, Italy
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning flush mount with swirling gilt motifs. There is something Bohemian about this handcrafted, Italian pendant with its amazing pattern of flowing motifs. It is much better t...
Metal
Large Moroccan Star Shape Frosted Glass Chandelier Shade
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan hanging star pendant shade. Handcrafted large Moorish Spanish style light fixture with a metal frame and frosted milky glass with d...
Metal
Double Tiered Sunburst Ceiling Fixture
Located in Buchanan, NY
Unusual flush mount ceiling fixture with flat upper tier and curved lower tier. The fixture has been wired for 2 candelabra bulbs, and the glass is sand blasted.
Metal