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.
Hand-Carved Arch Bookshelf Wooden Cabinet in Rustic Blue
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Hand-Carved Arch Bookshelf Wooden Cabinet in Rustic Blue antique distressed look. Painted blue arch bookshelf with distressed finish. Traditio...
Reclaimed Wood
Arts & Crafts Moorish Waterfall Bookcase Cabinet by Shapland & Petter
Located in Glasgow, GB
An Arts & Crafts mahogany waterfall bookcase cabinet by Shapland & Petter of Barnstaple, featuring Moorish inspired mihrab shaped tall recesses, ribbed molding to the door and brass ...
Brass
$3,795
H 50 in W 59.25 in D 12 in
Limbert Style Antique Mission Oak Arts and Crafts Triple Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period triple bookcase cabinet In the manner of Charles P. Limbert Co. USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with glass front doors. Inter...
Glass, Oak
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
H 60.5 in W 56 in D 13 in
Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Triple Bookcase Curio Display Cabinet 61"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Mission / Arts & Crafts / Limbert style triple bookcase display cabinet. Made of oak featuring three glass doors and storage drawers. Dimensions: 56"w x 13"d x 60.5"h
Glass, Oak
$3,295
H 57.25 in W 39.5 in D 14 in
Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Bookcase Cabinet by Larkin Co., Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period glass front bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Charles P. Limbert Co. By Larkin Co. USA, Circa 1910 Oak, with gl...
Brass
$3,995
H 51 in W 41 in D 12.25 in
Stickley Brothers Style Antique Arts & Crafts Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period glass front two door bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Stickley Brothers By Rockford Chair & Furniture Co. USA, Circ...
Glass, Oak
Arts & Crafts Walnut Six-Stack Barrister Bookcase by Hale
By Hale, Globe Wernicke
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous vintage Arts & Crafts six-stack barrister bookcase In the manner of Globe Wernicke By Hale USA, Circa Late 20th Century Walnut, with glass front doors and brass hardwa...
Brass
$4,500
H 78.5 in W 38 in D 18 in
Gustav Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts and Crafts Lighted Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts style lighted bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Gustav Stickley USA, Circa Late 20th Century Oak, with mullioned glass front doors ...
Glass, Oak
$3,595
H 70.13 in W 43 in D 15.13 in
Arts & Crafts Solid Cherry Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts style lighted display cabinet or bookcase In the manner of Gustav Stickley or Harvey Ellis USA, Late 20th Century Solid cherry wood, with m...
Glass, Cherry
Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts and Crafts Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts style bookcase cabinet In the style of Gustav Stickley USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid oak, with mullioned glass front doors. Measures: 35...
Glass, Oak
$4,995
H 60.5 in W 46.75 in D 14.75 in
Charles Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period two-door bookcase or display cabinet By Charles Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, with mullioned glass front ...
Copper
Mid-Century Modern Freestanding Bookshelf with Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage freestanding unit makes a wonderful addition to any home or office. Dual cabinets, including a lower record cabinet, make this ideal for...
Walnut
$2,895
H 59.5 in W 33 in D 14 in
Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Bookcase Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts period bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Stickley Brothers By New England Furniture Co. USA, Circa 1900 Gorgeous carved oak, with ...
Art Glass, Oak
Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period bookcase cabinet or display cabinet In the manner of Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1910 Oak, with glass front door. Measures: 2...
Glass, Oak
$550
H 31.5 in W 40 in D 13.25 in
Rustic American Two-Tier Bookshelf in Stained Pine, Early 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style stained pine two-tier bookshelf. Antique condition.
Pine
$4,128
H 79.22 in W 60.24 in D 23.71 in
Shapland & Petter Arts & Crafts Oak Sideboard with Castellated Top & Display
Located in London, GB
Shapland and Petter Arts and Crafts oak sideboard with castellated top and an upper display shelf with floral cut-outs below each corner. A central bevelled mirror is flanked by styl...
Copper
$11,029
H 108.67 in W 129.53 in D 11.03 in
1970s Wooden and Iron Bookshelf with 4 Uprights and Adjustable Shelves
Located in IT
A 1970s bookshelf made of wood and iron, with four iron posts, designed to be mounted on the wall. The shelves are adjustable and made of dark-painted wood; they are attached to the...
Iron
Moorish Inlaid Shelf
Located in New York, NY
A free-standing vitrine of architectural form. With shelves of varying heights framed by Moorish arches having inlaid contrasting details. The rectangular frame with enclosed top, si...
Mahogany
Antique Syrian Cabinet with Mother of Pearl, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Syrian cabinet hand-carved with mother-of-pearl inlays fine mid-19th century design. The bracket feet supporting a double glass door pair of finely inlaid mother-of-pearl doo...