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
Arts and Crafts Oak Revolving Bookcase by Danner
By John Danner Co.
Located in Norwood, NJ
An exceptional Arts and Crafts period revolving bookcase by the renowned American maker Danner, crafted circa 1900–1915. Constructed from solid quarter-sawn oak, this finely made piece features a two-tier design with open shelving on all four sides, supported by elegant vertical slats—hallmarks of the Mission and Craftsman styles. The bookcase rotates smoothly on its original cast iron base with casters, combining beauty and utility in a compact footprint. Known for their high-quality craftsmanship and early innovations in rotating library furniture, Danner bookcases...
Oak
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
$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
$2,650 / set
H 73.5 in W 26 in D 14 in
Wonderful Pair Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Arch Shape Glass Etagere Bookshelf
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Arch Shape With Glass Insert Etagere / Bookshelf's Painted White
Metal
$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
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
$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
Danish MCM Narrow Bookshelf Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
The Danish MCM Narrow Bookshelf Cabinet is a stylish and functional furniture. With a sleek design inspired by mid-century modern aesthetics, this narrow bookshelf cabinet is perfect...
Wood
$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
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...