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.
Mother of Pearl Abalone Seashell Jewelry Box, Moorish Design Style, ca. 20th C
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully crafted hexagonal jewelry box inlaid with luminous mother‑of‑pearl and abalone seashell, executed in the Moorish design style, circa mid‑20th century. The lid centers a...
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl
English Moorish Revival Painted Side Table with Scalloped Apron
Located in Bruton, GB
Charming Moorish Revival style side table or occasional table featuring a hand-painted cream finish with blue line detailing and distinctive scalloped arcade trim. The rectangular to...
Wood
Original Vintage Print by Edmund Dulac, C.1920
By Edmund Dulac
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image by Edmund Dulac Tipped in plate onto paper Lithograph. Published C.1930 The measurement given is the paper size not the actual coloured printed image. Free ship...
Paper
Original Vintage Print by Edmund Dulac, C.1920
By Edmund Dulac
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image by Edmund Dulac Tipped in plate onto paper Lithograph. Published C.1930 The measurement given is the paper size not the actual coloured printed image. The white...
Paper
18th C. Pair of Spanish Geometric Paneled Wooden Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish pair of geometric panel motif carved wood doors from the 18th century. These antique doors from Spain have been designed in raised panels in a geometric motif which adorns ...
Iron
$925 / set
Pair of Arabesque Leather Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
An arabesque influenced style black coated iron base and a leather slung stitched saddle seat cushion. Dimensions: 20" W x 18" D x 19" H
Iron
Moroccan Moorish Copper Tray Table with Hand-Carved Folding Base
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An exceptional Moorish Moroccan folding tray table, featuring a beautifully hand-hammered round copper top resting on an intricately hand-c...
Brass
Vintage Moroccan Palatial Pottery Vase, Morocco 1930-50ss
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Large Moroccan vase handcrafted in terracotta in classic form hand decorated on floral designs in distinctive Mediterranean colors under jewelry-li...
Silver
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
Moorish Inlaid Six-Legged Folding Side Table and Brass Tray Top.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Moorish Inlaid Six-Legged Folding Side Table and Brass Tray Top. The inlay work makes this folding tray an exceptional handmade side table. A hand carved turned wood base of 6 legs ...
Brass
$6,800 / set
Pair Early 20th Century Moroccan Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Pair 1920s or earlier Moroccan wood inlay wall shelves. These wonderful Múdejar design shelves feature abstract geometry, horseshoe, multifoil arches, and honeycombed vaults called m...
Wood
Antique Hand Carved Moorish Style Octagon Side Table Tabouret.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Hand Carved Moorish Style Octagon Side Table Tabouret. This octagonal hardwood Tabouret is hand carved with leaf and pierced designs created with brilliant intricacy. The to...
Hardwood
Antique Middle Eastern Octagonal Occasional Table With Inlaid Bone & Wood
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A highly decorative antique Middle Eastern octagonal occasional table, finely hand carved and embellished with contrasting bone inlay. The octagonal top is richly worked with intric...
Wood
Antique Moroccan Foldout Inlaid Game Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty refined antique Moroccan game table with multiple uses, crafted in walnut having elaborate inlaid geometric marquetry with bone, mahogany, mo...
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Felt, Ebony, Walnut
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
Indian Pierced Brass Hanging Decorative Lantern with Moorish Arch Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
This vintage Indian brass lantern is a richly decorative hanging piece, distinguished by its finely pierced metalwork and elegant architectural form. Crafted in warm-toned brass, the...
Brass
Pair of Antique style Pendant Lights in Solid Brass & Cut Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Pair of Antique Style Pendant Lights, crafted with utmost precision in Solid Brass & Cut Glass. These stunning chandel...
Brass
Moorish Style Moroccan Incised Bone Mirror with Brass Border, 1920's
Located in Stamford, CT
Moroccan Moorish style bone and brass arched mirror. The bone incised concentric circle decoration. And colored with white diamonds against a black background. All enclosed in a tack...
Brass
Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Box, Walnut Wood, Moorish Style, Spain, 1940
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Spanish Moorish Marquetry Walnut Trinket Box, Granada, circa 1940 An exquisite and highly decorative Spanish marquetry footed box, handcrafted in Gr...
Wood
19th Century Dated Persian Qajar Tinned Copper Ewer Ablution Basin Set, 1878.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th Century Dated Persian Qajar Tinned Copper Ewer Ablution Basin Set, Dated 1878. A complete two-piece Islamic ablution set comprising of a tall, elegant ewer (aftabeh) and its m...
Copper, Tin
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Located in London, GB
A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Ou...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Moroccan Fez Pottery Lidded Jobbana Jar with Silver Filigree circa 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Miniature Moroccan Fez Pottery Lidded Jobbana Jar with Silver Filigree, Moorish Decor This is a vintage Moroccan Fez pottery lidded jar featuring blue and white hand-painted ...
Ceramic
Pair Moroccan Moorish Style Jeweled Metal Lanterns / Chandeliers / Hanging Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique chandeliers (hanging lamps, lanterns) in the Moorish Moroccan style, 23 by 13 1/4 inches, finely crafted from metal with fine openwork designs of stylized spider webs...
Metal
A Vintage Decorative Bone with Turquoise and Red Inlay Box. Handles on each side
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Vintage Moroccan Jewelry Box, Mid 20th Century Description: Typically handcrafted from metal, featuring bone inlays. Decorated with Moorish-style...
Metal
Large Marquetry Wooden Box, Middle Eastern Style, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large decorative wooden box dating from the 1970s, crafted in the Middle Eastern style and richly adorned with intricate marquetry featuring geometric star and floral motifs. The octagonal form and finely detailed inlaid decoration showcase exceptional craftsmanship inspired by traditional Syrian, Persian, and Moroccan woodworking. Originally intended for storing jewelry, letters, or precious keepsakes, this elegant box also serves as a striking decorative accent, bringing warmth and exotic character to a coffee table, desk, or cabinet. Style : Moorish Islamic Middle Eastern Bohemian Hollywood Regency Key Features : Large decorative wooden box France, 1970s Middle Eastern style Intricate marquetry decoration Geometric inlaid motifs Octagonal shape Hinged lid with brass knob Ideal for jewelry or keepsakes Keywords : marquetry box, Middle Eastern box, Moorish decor, Islamic marquetry...
Wood
$762Sale Price|46% Off
Moroccan Moorish Polished Copper Tray Early 20th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Morrocan copper tray Geometric motifs Good condition. Shipping: Diam 43 H 3 1.3 kg.
Copper
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
Syrian Moorish Jewelry Box, Inlaid Wood & Mother of Pearl, 20th C.
Located in Queens, NY
Middle Eastern Syrian style wooden jewelry box intricately inlaid with geometric patterns and accented with pieces of mother of pearl, with patinated brass hardware and a hinged lid ...
Brass
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
Moorish Inlaid Marquetry Mosaic Jewelry Box with Geometric and Floral Patterns
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This is a Moorish-style jewelry box adorned with inlaid marquetry work, featuring a mosaic of geometric and floral patterns. The design is highly detailed, with small pieces of wood ...
Wood, Fruitwood
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
Moorish Islamic Brass Tray Table, Handcrafted in Spain, 1920s Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Islamic Moorish Spain brass repousse tray table on folding wooden carved teak legs. Moorish Islamic Brass tray Side Table Spain circa 1920s. The...
Brass
Handcrafted Moroccan Brass Chandelier, Moorish Style, 33\" Diameter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan brass chandelier Moorish style. This Pasha Moroccan chandelier is handmade of polished gold brass repousse and open work with inlay ...
Brass
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
Moroccan Folding Tray Table in Brass and wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Traditional Moroccan Folding Tray Table, Brass, Wood, Morocco, 1940s-1950s. This moorish brass tray table features a round brass tray...
Brass
Beautiful Moorish Damascus or Asian Inlaid Inlay Wood Box Storage Chest Trunk
Located in Studio City, CA
Stunning mosaic, geometric design, and gorgeous craftsmanship. This work is made of beautiful dark wood and shell and/or bone inlay. The iron handles are also a nice touch. A genuine...
Wood
Striking Pair of Handcrafted Inlaid Demi-Lune Side Tables
Located in Bruton, GB
This exceptional pair of demi-lune side tables showcases meticulous hand-applied geometric inlay work, blending warm tones of natural brown, black, amber, and ivory into a rhythmic, ...
Marble, Metal
Antique Mother of Pearl Inlaid Blanket Chest, Ottoman Style, c. 1850
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rare large antique 19th century mother of pearl inlaid Arabian Middle Eastern blanket wedding dowry chest. Very fine intricate, detailed, stunning craftsmanship quality of Middle Eastern Moorish Islamic artwork...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Middle Eastern 19th Century Moorish Folding Chair Shell Inlaid
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Middle Eastern Egyptian Moorish walnut wood folding chair with intricate foliate carving and mother of pearl, shell inlays. Arabian Syrian styl...
Shell, Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Moroccan Side Table With Mother Of Pearl, Ebony and Fruit Wood Inlay
Located in Stamford, CT
Moroccan hexagonal side table with mother of pearl, ebony and fruit wood inlay. The top and sides inlaid with geometric, triangular, diamond and circular patterns to create a harmoni...
Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony, Fruitwood
Solid Brass Vintage Moroccan Candle Holder a Pair 1950's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Solid brass large vintage Moroccan candle holders set of two. Moroccan vintage brass candlestick heavy solid cast brass, handcrafted with etched geometric design. Tall Moorish styl...
Brass
1960s Culver Ltd Highball Glasses and Ice Bucket 22 k Gold Valencia Design
By Culver Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1960s Set of Five Vintage Culver Ltd Highball Glasses and Ice Bucket with 22-Karat Gold Valencia Design. Elegant vintage mid-century Culver Ltd barware with Valencia pattern in a gold leaf finish. Set includes 5 highball tumbler glasses and one ice bucket by Culver Ltd in the Valencia Moorish style design. This fabulous vintage Valencia...
Glass
Vintage Moroccan Jewelry Box in Hand-Engraved Metal & Camel Bone
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Artisan made hand-engraved metal trinket for jewelry or personal smalls. Moorish/Islamic ornamentation and techniques high-lighted by panels of white camel bone and red 'jewels' of n...
Metal
Handcrafted Moroccan Brass Chandelier in Alberto Pinto Style, 33\"
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Moorish brass chandelier in Alberto Pinto style. The Pasha Moroccan chandelier is finely handcrafted and chiseled with Moorish motifs...
Brass
Antique Moroccan Inlaid Table with Tray Top
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive antique Moroccan table crafted in mahogany featuring a removable silvered brass tray hand hammered in symbolic and floral designs, a ...
Brass
Antique Middle Eastern Arabesque Style Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Middle Eastern, Moroccan or Moorish Arabesque style octagonal side table. This beautiful table has a great pattern with alternating intricately inlaid mixed woods and mother-...
Wood
Tchibo Tin Box Red and Gold Arabesque Coffee Container Vintage 1960 Germany
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Tchibo coffee tin box red and gold coffee box vintage 1960 Germany. Circa 1960's Tchibo round coffee tin box in gold and red enamel. Very decorative storage tin with a Moorish Arabes...
Enamel, Tin
Vintage Moroccan Moorish Metal and Stained Glass Lantern or Pendant
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan Moorish metal and stained colored glass candle lantern Handcrafted small Moroccan glass lantern or Moorish pendant. Multi-color molded glass in green, lavender, blue...
Metal
Massive Mid-Century Moroccan Brass Tray, Handcrafted, Oval, Circa 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Massive Mid-Century Brass Moroccan Oval Brass Tray. Hand tooled etched very large Moroccan polished brass tray. This oval brass tray...
Brass
Antique Islamic Moorish Arab Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid & Carved Table Morocco 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique walnut Islamic Moorish carved and inlaid Mother-of Pearl table, with Islamic calligraphy, Moroccan work, circa 1890. The table top is deeply and finely carved with ge...
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Middle Eastern Islamic Turkish Ottoman Tinned Copper Ewer
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted antique 19th century Islamic Turkish Ottoman tinned copper ceremonial water ewer. Antique Middle Eastern Asian Islamic style ewer jug metalware vessel. The bulbous body...
Copper, Tin, Pewter
Handcrafted Moroccan Metal Chandelier, Moorish Design, 25\" Diameter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted large Moroccan metal chandelier handcut with Moorish design. Brown dark color metal hammered and inlaid with round jeweled color...
Metal
Moorish Wood Box Islamic Marquetry Mosaic Art Granada Spain Khatam Decor 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1940s Marquetry Mosaic Wood Box Moorish Islamic Art Granada Spain Khatam Decor. Moorish Inlaid Marquetry Jewelry Box Spain. Dimensions Height: 2.5 in. ...
Fruitwood
Antique Kashmiri Dome Topped Stationary Box. Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Superb stationary box Probably Kashmir, Indian sub-continent The finest of printed paper applied to softwood. Blue painted interior. Remnants of a makers label on the underside F...
Wood, Paper
Middle Eastern Islamic Vintage Round Brass Hanging Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Middle Eastern Islamic Vintage round brass tray.The handcrafted circular brass platter is decorated and hammered with Islamic Moorish designs.Heavy met...
Brass
Vintage Moroccan Traditional Moorish Metal and Glass Lantern Ceiling Light
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan Traditional Moorish clear glass and multicolor lantern. Large Moroccan patinated metal and glass lantern, ceiling light Moorish pendant lantern. Multicolor glass, am...
Metal
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
Antique Large Arabian Polished Brass Incense Burner Islamic Moorish Style 19th c
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large antique 19th century Turkish incense burner or fire pit with pierced brass and solid brass ornamentation. Museum quality Islamic collector metalwork piece footed incense censer...
Brass
Vintage Moroccan Moorish Octagonal Metal and Glass Candle Lantern
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan Moorish clear glass lantern with intricate metal filigree. Octagonal shape, delicately handcrafted by artisans in Morocco. Bronze metal color finish. Could be used w...
Metal
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