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.
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
Monumental 19th-Century Moroccan Moorish Studded Wood Riad Door
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Monumental 19th-century Moroccan Hispano-Moresque studded wood doorway, handcrafted in Marrakech. This impressive antique Moroccan door features a smal...
Iron
$7,880Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Moroccan Antique Double Door with Hand Painted Moorish Designs
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan huge antique doors from a Ryad in Fez, amazing hand painted artwork. Multicolored geometrical Moorish designs in deep red, green, yellow. Moroccan doors and furniture is most noted for the use of beautiful Moorish hand-painted and hand carved designs colorfully applied to wood. Many of the Moorish influenced designs have been used for centuries decorating the ceilings and wall panels of Mosques and Palaces all around Islamic countries. Great patina, different designs in front and back, great o use as a piece of architectural design on a wall. Bottom and top show damages, distressed look. The two doors have a different design and different colors, they don't match. They could be used on walls as a decorative architectural panel. Iron locker...
Wood
$1,400 / item
Cast Brass Moorish Door Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful cast brass pull handle with Moorish styling.
Brass
$3,130 / set
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Set of Two Double Red Cast Glass Door Handles, Mid-Century Modern
Located in London, GB
A set of two double push and pull square textured vibrant red cast glass with mat antique bronze anodized aluminium fixtures. They are designed for a glass or wooden doors but suitab...
Glass
Set of 3 Art Deco Glass Door Handles with Plates
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous set of 3 Art Deco glass door handles with plates. Amazingly complete set! Probably made in the US circa 1925-30. These ar...
Chrome
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Aluminum Palais lever handle in aluminium. Each handle i...
Aluminum
Brass Palais Door Handle by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Palais Door Handle by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Brass Palais lever handle in high tensile brass or aluminium. Each ha...
Brass
$6,400 / set
H 136.5 in W 85 in D 1.38 in
Pair of Large Antique French Door Shutters from a Chateau, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
These monumental arched antique door shutters were salvaged from a 19th century French chateau. They would have been on the ground floor, attached...
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Diamond Pattern Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish doors with geometric patterns and original paint from the 19th century. This pair of antique doors from Sweden feature a repeating diamond pattern, comprised of a s...
Iron
$695Sale Price|44% Off
H 1.66 in Dm 5.32 in
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Brass, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in London, GB
Circular push-pull door handle in brass, with hammered texture. Mid-20th century. Found in France. The handle is made up of two separate pieces with hammered texture; each trimmed w...
Metal, Brass
$2,574 / set
H 5.12 in W 6.7 in D 2.37 in
Brutalist Rectangular Bronze Door Handles, European, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Set of two rectangular horizontal Brutalist bronze door handles with abstract relief and irregular textures, European 1970's. Their relief with original patina is expressive and will...
Bronze
$3,430Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 82.68 in W 32.29 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Antique Provençal Doors, Carved/Painted Blue, Late 19th Century France
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Pair of old Provençal interior doors, with carved panels painted in blue, one was a panel (the lowest), built in the late 19th century in the south of France. Delicate and elegant c...
Wood
Rose Quartz and Bronze Push Pull Door Handle, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Rose Quartz and Bronze push and pull door handle, a unique piece made from a semi precious stone in soft pink, set into a bronze holder that follows its natural shape and is made to measure. It is a piece of jewelry for your door. The handle is attached to a bronze bracket which will befitted to the door with two standard bolts (not supplied) suiting the thickness of your door. The handle can be applied inside or outside on a single door. It can also be used cupboard...
Bronze
Italian 18th Century Door
Located in Round Top, TX
A wonderful door in painted wood from Venice, Italy. Not only wonderful as a door, but perfect to build into cabinetry or use as a headboard. Fabulous patina.
Wood
Antique Pair of Moroccan Cedar Double Doors 18th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of doors coming from an authentic moroccan house. Each door can be opened onto a smaller Moorish-style opening. The side with the Moorish shape was the inside of the house. The...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 78.75 in W 43.71 in D 2.76 in
1980s Hand-painted Moorish-style Wooden Door with Iron and Bronze Hardware
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Hand-painted Moorish-style Wooden Door with Iron and Bronze Hardware
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century Spanish Doors
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful pair of 18th century Spanish doors. These doors are solid and heavy and have a wonderful rich aged wood patina. A pair of doors ex...
Walnut
Sold
H 74.81 in W 34.26 in D 2.76 in
Two Antique Moroccan Arched Doors 19th Century Moorish Pair of Keyhole Doorways
Located in Labrit, Landes
Two antique Moroccan arched doors 19th century Moorish Hand carved wood Hand forged iron door furniture Decorative and stunning interior design pieces Pe...
Iron
19th Century Moorish Castle Gatehouse Doors from Spain
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Massive 19th century wooden Moorish style gatehouse doors or castle doors from Spain. Constructed from 19th century large timber frames featuring a smalle...
Iron
Moroccan Antique Double Door
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan antique door from a Ryad in Fez, amazing hand-painted artwork. Multicolored geometrical designs. Moroccan doors and furniture is most...
Wood
Extraordinary Moorish-Style Double-Door, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual Moorish-style double-door, with a geometric carved and painted design in relief, and frosted glass panes.
Moroccan Antique Door Carved with Arabic Calligraphy Writing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th century handcrafted Hispano Moresque door. Intricately hand-carved in Moorish style with Islamic Arabic calligraphy writing. Moroccan door frame in wood and iron, hand...
Metal