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.
Antique Inlaid Moroccan Tall Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive antique Moroccan tall chest handcrafted in walnut featuring a custom glass top with a scalloped front and matching top drawer over four flat front drawers below having blu...
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Large 19th-Century Ottoman Levantine Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Dowry Chest
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An exceptional and unusually large Ottoman Levantine bridal or dowry chest, dating to circa 1850 or earlier and attributed to Syria or Lebanon. Constructed of richly patinated wood, ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Moorish Style Inlaid Bombe Commode
Located in Bradenton, FL
Camel bone and mother of pearl inlaid three drawer commode with ball turned pulls and geometric detail. The double bombe serpentine chest extensively ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Vintage Inlaid Moroccan Corner Display Cabinet Pair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely crafted pair of trim Corner Display Cabinets with intricate mixed wood and Mother-of-Pearl inlay. The traditional design work has geomet...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Moroccan Desk or Escritoire
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Important 19th century Moroccan escritoire or desk crafted in mahogany with strong aesthetics movement influences. Featuring Moorish architectural references, floral and geometric bone inlays...
Mahogany
Antique Middle Eastern Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Marble-Top Chest of Drawers
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Middle Eastern Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Marble-Top Chest of Drawers, Early 20th Century. Luxury Antique Levantine Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Marble-Top Chest of Drawers Moorish Mo...
Abalone
17th Century Spanish Burled Walnut Vargueno or Collectors Cabinet
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a diminutive burled walnut vargueno, collector or valuables cabinet, with molded cornice and drop front, opening to a multi-drawer ...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique Writing Desk and Chair Set circa 1920s, Moorish Style Inlaid Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Very fine antique Moorish style inlaid writing desk and chair set, circa 1920's. This hand-carved, intricately detailed example has absolutely incredible inlay work and fine woods to...
Wood, Walnut
Liberty & Co. A Moorish corner cabinet
Located in London, GB
A Moorish corner cabinet by Liberty and Co. Circa 1890. Height 71 1/2, Width at the front 25 1/2, Depth from back corner to front 13".
Oak
Small Mid 19th-Century Moorish Cabinet with Geometric Relief and Painted Patina
Located in Middleburg, VA
An eye-catching small cabinet from the mid-19th century, crafted in the Moorish style and dating to circa 1890. This architectural piece features two upper drawers over two lower cup...
Iron, Metal
Thai Painted Altar Table or Console
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique Thai altar table or console with a strong architectural form. Crafted in wood with three arches supported by four turned wood columns. The ...
Paint
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
Liberty & Co A Moorish Walnut Desk with Angular Design & 4 Opposite Side Drawers
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. A Moorish Walnut Desk with Mushrabia turnings to the upper shelf, just below to the turned uprights there are dowel holes which I have shown in the images, they are the...
Walnut
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Desk, Secretaire, Moorish Inlays
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Desk - Secretaire - Moorish inlays Origin and marquetry of Morocco Circa 1930. very good condition Leather interior with wear and tear Measurements w...
Wood
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Asian Finely Hand Carved Sideboard from Java, Indonesia
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Very special and unique, fabulous Indonesian sideboard, great quality and very fine hand carved chest of three drawers with two doors. Very interesting work, Anglo-Indian style flow...
Wool
$7,002 / item
Rustic Brown Moroccan Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from carved reclaimed pine, featuring a distressed, hand-rubbed, and antiqued brown finish. Six cabinet doors open to reveal a painted interior with removable shelves, combin...
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
1930-1939 France Deep Ebony Black Ebonized Geometric-Front Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
Ebonized geometric-front cabinet in Deep Ebony Black. Its deep ebony black finish sets off Moorish-inspired geometric door panels, block feet, a hallmark of of the moorish revival pe...
Wood
Ottoman Kavukluk Turban Holder, Hand-Carved Walnut & Pearl, 1850
Located in PARIS, FR
A Kavkluk Turban holder in carved walnut, inlaid with mother-of-pearl set in nets of pewter. Ottoman period , 19th century . Turkey
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$1,841Sale Price|48% Off
Late 18th Century Spanish Painted Chest with Moorish Influence
Located in Seaford, GB
Spanish Provincial Polychrome Painted Chest (Arcón) with Mudéjar / Moorish Influence, Circa 1800 A striking example of Spanish provincial furniture from the late eighteenth to early...
Pine
Liberty & Co, attributed. A good quality oak Moorish dresser
Located in London, GB
A good quality oak Moorish dresser attributed to Liberty and Co with plate rack to the upper section and two drawers with two cupboards below, superb quality stylised handles and hin...
Oak
G Parvis, Oriental Walnut Medallion, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Walnut medallion with an oriental decoration in mother-of-pearl, wood and bone marquetry. It opens with 2 doors onto 9 drawers, with different compartments. This medallion is typ...
Walnut
Antique French Boulle Side Cabinets, Bone Inlay, Moorish Style, 1880
Located in Montreal, QC
This sumptuous pair of salon cabinets are what the French call meubles d'appui. Each is enclosed by a single glazed door and with canted sides. They are ...
Bone
Moorish Style Mother of Pearl Inlaid Hardwood Three-Piece Furniture Set
Located in London, GB
This Indo-Portuguese furniture set, which is comprised of a tall corner cabinet, a stool and side table – is designed in a wonderful Moorish style....
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
$2,963Sale Price|24% Off
H 52.5 in W 25.5 in D 12 in
Vintage Open Neoclassical Maple Built in Corner Shelving Cabinet Salvage
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
High end vintage corner cabinet built along the neoclassical style with fluted edges. Excellent for a built in project. Ideal for books and disp...
Maple
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...
Metal, Brass
$8,116
H 35.04 in W 44.89 in D 20.87 in
ANTIQUE CiRCA 1880 DAMASCUS WEDDING CHEST OF DRAWERS MOTHER OF PEARL & MARBLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely absolutely exquisite, original Damascus Circa 1880 Wedding Chest of drawers with lovely Mother o...
Marble
$238
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$2,660
H 37.21 in W 35.24 in D 13.59 in
Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...
Brass
19th Century Grain Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century pine blanket chest with traces of blue-green and grain paint as well as original gilt scalloped design. Interior with single til and wrought iron strap hinges. No key.
Pine, Paint
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
A stunning, petite French slant-top desk or "bureau de pente" in the Louis XV style, turquoise and gold polychromed with Chinoiserie detailing, and red under-body. Desk opens to rev...
Bronze
$6,895
H 44 in W 47 in D 23 in
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...
Metal, Brass
$3,200
H 32.4 in W 36.75 in D 22.5 in
Antique French Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers W/ Black Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking mid-19th-century French Empire chest of drawers, sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from walnut, it boasts a naturally aged patina that highlight...
Marble
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish folk art chest in painted pine wood & wrought iron. Polychrome painted decoration with clouds and a cartouche decorated with flowers. Dated 1802 on the lid....
Pine
$2,995
H 34.5 in W 39.5 in D 20.5 in
Antique French Louis XV Marble Top Ormolu Bombe Shape Inlaid Tulip-wood Commode
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality antique French Louis XV style marble top & ormolu mounted tulipwood & kingwood bombe shape commode chest, circa 1900. The serpentine shaped top having the original var...
Marble, Ormolu
19th-Century Rustic Larch Wood Chest
Located in Pont-Saint-Martin, IT
An authentic 19th-century rustic chest crafted from solid larch wood, a traditional material in Alpine furniture, highly valued for its strength, durability, and natural resistance. ...
Fir
Sold
H 20 in W 20.25 in D 15.5 in
19th Century Hand-Carved Moroccan Cedarwood Dowry Chest with Moorish Arches
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning 19th century Moroccan dowry chest hand-carved from solid cedar wood, featuring a richly detailed facade of Moorish horseshoe arches and geome...
Cedar
Redproduction Painted Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This bespoke European-inspired armoire of recent construction makes a statement in its towering proportions and patinated blue finish, accented by an ebonized (painted) trim that really defines the paneled doors. Moorish influences are evident in the doors with geometric, raised panels and fitted with antique hinges & latch of patinated wrought iron. Turquoise pigment is washed and distressed in a faux finish that feels at once historic and exotic. The interior is bathed entirely in a sunny yellow paint, offering five adjustable shelves and a fixed top shelf for folded clothing or to use as extra kitchen and pantry storage...
Pine, Paint
Moorish Middle Eastern Painted Wood Blanket Chest
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Colorful hand-painted wooden blanket chest featuring a Moorish Middle-Eastern decorated exterior. The festive designs have Syrian and Moroccan arabesque influence and motifs. The cas...
Wood
Sold
H 111 in W 45.25 in D 16.5 in
Attributed Giuseppe Parvis Egyptian Neo-Moorish Salon Suite C. 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
Attributed to Giuseppe Parvis (Egyptian/Italian 1831-1909), circa 1880. Two part form, tall architectural framed mirror with hardwood, bone, ebony and mother of pearl inlays, pierc...
Ebony, Fruitwood
Antique Moroccan Inlaid Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century Moroccan gentleman's chest hand crafted in walnut with a black glass top on a scalloped cornice with three top drawers over four large drawers. The chest has ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Antique White Arabesque Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece boasts a tranquil white finish, gently distressed to reveal undertones of natural wood for a perfectly aged look. The front fascia is adorned with arabesque mosa...
Wood
Antiqued Sage Arabesque Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite piece boasts a tranquil sage green finish, gently distressed to reveal undertones of natural wood for a perfectly aged look. The front fascia is adorned with arabesque...
Wood
Whitewash Painted Moroccan Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Carved from reclaimed pine and finished in a distressed and antiqued whitewash, this piece exudes rustic charm. Six cabinet doors open to reveal a painted interior with removable she...
Wood
Pair of Moorish Inlaid Commodes
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Moorish Inlaid Two-Drawer Commodes, 19th century.
Wood
Sold
H 73 in W 40 in D 11.75 in
Early 20th-C. Moroccan Heavily Carved Fruitwood Bookcase / Etagere / Shelf
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early heavily carved Moroccan etagere / shelving unit. The pierced swags and turned supports adorning each shelf really elevate the look. There is roughly 12 inches betwee...
Fruitwood
Blue Painted Moroccan Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Carved reclaimed pine in a dark blue distressed and antiqued finish. Six cabinet doors open to reveal a painted interior with removable shelves. Dimensions: 98" W x 19" D x 35" H
Wood
Antique White Moroccan Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dynamic piece of furniture suitable for use in a large hallway, in the den, or the dining room. With four doors that open to a painted interior with shelves and made with carved pine and a hand-rubbed antique white...
Wood