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.
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Egyptian Moorish Settee, Handcrafted Walnut & Silk
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Middle Eastern Egyptian black settee with spindle and ball design with triple Moorish arches inlaid with mucharabie intricate and Fine work. Sofa is newly...
Walnut
Early 20th Century Middle Eastern Carved Walnut Mashrabiya Settee, 1920s–1930s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An exceptional early 20th-century Middle Eastern settee, attributed to Egypt or the Levant—possibly present-day Lebanon or Syria—and dating to approximately the 1920s–1930s. A precise modern country of origin cannot be established. Its construction and ornament reflect the shared Ottoman-influenced decorative traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean, where craftsmen, materials and design vocabulary circulated between Egypt and the Levant. Handcrafted from warm-toned walnut, the settee features an impressive architectural back composed of multiple carved panels. Intricate mashrabiya openwork, turned spindle latticework, geometric fretwork, carved finials and contrasting star-form inlays create a richly layered Islamic design. The tall stepped crest rises dramatically above the central panel, while the openwork arms, carved front rails and turned feet continue the intricate decoration throughout the frame. The seat has been more recently upholstered in a textured gold-toned Moroccan...
Walnut
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The sofa has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade. France...
Brocade, Beech
Early 20th Century Carved Mahogany Window Seat
Located in Miami, FL
An unusual early 20th century Adam style carved mahogany window seat, having serpentine back and seat with scrolled out-swept arms, decorated ...
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,225
H 40.5 in W 59.5 in D 27 in
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Finely Carved Wood and Caned Settee
Located in Hudson, NY
This three-seat sofa or settee is made of hand-carved wood with many fine details and retains its original painted finish. Done in the Louis XV style and made in France with the time...
Cane, Wood
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Style Walnut Settee
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning 19th Century settee featuring the clean lines and warm wood tones characteristic of Swedish Biedermeier design, with a silhouette influenced by French Neoclassical forms. ...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Walnut Settee From Lucca
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century Italian Walnut Settee From Lucca
Upholstery, Walnut
$33,383Sale Price|40% Off
H 41.93 in W 56.3 in D 32.68 in
Andrea Brustolon Carved Venetian Baroque Walnut Settee Sofa Bench Brown Leather
By Andrea Brustolon, Valentino Besarel
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare finely carved Venetian Baroque style figural walnut throne settee or bench, attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel (Venice, 1829-1902) in the manner of Andrea Brustolon...
Leather, Walnut
Rare Egyptian Revival Ebony and Inlaid Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Egyptian Revival ebony and inlaid settee, late 19th century "Of architectural form with geometric borders and inlaid with fruitwoods, ivory, mother of pearl and wire, the carved giltwood cresting rail in the form of serpents centred by a tablet inlaid with a winged bird, probably the symbol of the Egyptian Goddess, Nekhbet, clutching a payrus stalk, the padded back between two moulded cartouches depicting Horus and Iris, the arm supports in the form of Canopic jars surmounted by the head of Anubis, with a padded seat and shaped legs terminating in paw feet. Measures: 26" deep x 56" wide x 45.5" high x 18" seat height In the nineteenth century, the Egyptian Revival became fashionable following the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt with the publication of Voyage (1802) by Vivant Denon...
Wire
Early 20th Century Italian High Back Winged Settee
By Rubelli
Located in Weesp, NL
Early 20th century Italian high back winged settee with original Rubelli (Venice) upholstery. Please note mior wear on one of the arms. Colors may slight...
Fabric, Beech
French Early 20th Century Walnut and Straw Settee, Circa 1920
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This settee has an amazing back made of strong wood, rustic look and so different.
Straw, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Small Settee in Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this antique Italian sofa dating back to the late 19th century. The sofa features a solid walnut frame and a comfortable upholstered seat and back. Its design is inspired b...
Walnut
$19,850Sale Price|48% Off
H 53.13 in W 64.5 in D 29.75 in
In Manner of Andrea Brustolon Venetian 19th Century Carved Walnut Figural Settee
By Valentino Panciera Besarel, Andrea Brustolon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare Italian 19th century Baroque style carved walnut figural settee (Sofa-Loveseat), attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel (Venice, 1829-1902) in the manner of Andrea Brustolon...
Fabric, Walnut
Middle Eastern Damascus Settee, Walnut with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in Queens, NY
Middle Eastern Damascus (20th Cent) Settee in walnut with inlaid mother of pearl and ebony with spindle & ball and finial details (matching 2 arms & 2 sides 060219/CON63) One finial...
Ebony, Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Middle Eastern Turkish Settee Sofa
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th century Middle Eastern Turkish settee, intricate Moroccan Musharabie Moorish fretwork on the back and side, inlaid mosaic marquetry. Hispano More...
Wood
Art Deco Moroccan Moorish Sofa Jean-Michel Frank Style
By Mariano Fortuny, (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Art Deco sofa settee upholstered with Fortuny style cut velvet Moorish fabric. Jean-Michel Frank Style, Art Deco Moorish style Sofa. With an elegant design inspired by the Jean-Miche...
Fabric
Sold
H 39.5 in W 61.5 in D 30 in
Pair of Vintage Baker, Knole Style Sofas with Drop Sides and Original Upholstery
Located in Highwood, IL
A distinctive pair of mid-1960s Baker (still tagged), Knole sofas with drop arms. Retaining their original silk velvet upholstery, and although showing wear, the sofas carry that gre...