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.
Bronze Moor Sculpture 19th Century Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bronze Moore sculpture, believed to be Italian, in the 19th century style, but probably executed in the mid 20th century.
Bronze
Large Majolica Ceramic Bust Planter or Vase of a Woman with Flowers, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large colorful polychrome hand-made ceramic Italian Moorish bust vase or planter of a woman with a flower turban crown. Handmade and glazed in brilliant reds, greens, and yellows, this sculpture depicts the head of a lady wearing a glazed red crown topped with bright red bulbs. She wears circular yellow earrings, red lipstick, and a red necklace...
Ceramic, Paint
$28,950Sale Price|35% Off
19th Century Lifesize Bronze Bust of Othello after Gaston Veuvenot Leroux
By Gaston Vuevenot Leroux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and impressive French 19th century life-size bust depicting Othello, the North African Moor of Venice character in the 1603 play written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), a...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Vintage Boho Plaster Bust of Moorish Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your space with eclectic charm using this vintage boho plaster bust of a Moorish man. Crafted with intricate detail and bohemian flair, this piece adds a touch of cultural int...
Plaster
Moorish Bronze Bust of a Man with Turban, 19th Century Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Middle Eastern Moorish style bronze bust of a man with a turban on round shaped base (19/20th Cent.).
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Busts
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30 Good condition.
Gesso
$2,354 / item
H 21.26 in Dm 13 in
Vase Vessel Ceramic Centerpiece Ornament Aquamarine Majolica Flower Holder Italy
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Large majolic vase in green aquamarine color, glazed in polychrome, characterized by the elegant presence of naturalistic ornamental motifs that enhance its forms beautifully. Its po...
Ceramic, Clay, Majolica
$320Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.25 in W 8 in D 5 in
Vintage Neoclassical Plaster Bust of Hermes, Late 20th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A finely modeled vintage plaster bust depicting Hermes, the classical messenger god, with tightly curled hair, a contemplative expression, and the elegant fragmented form associated ...
Plaster
19th Century Bronze Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century bronze bust of the Greek God, Apollo Belvedere. After the ancient original ‘Apollo Belvedere’ sculpture by Leochares.
Bronze
19th Century Ebonized Plaster Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero
Located in Stamford, CT
A Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero, Roman Consul in 63 B.C. completed in ebonized plaster, circa 1880. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer and philosopher, who served as consul in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. (Wikipedia) Provenance: Collection of Brigadier General Alfred Douglas Miller...
Plaster
19th Century French Bronze Animal Sculptures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of finely chaste bronze and dore bronze of dog and cat. Very life like.
Bronze
19th Century Italian Patinated Plaster Bust
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Italian Patinated Plaster Bust. Offered is a handsome well executed Italian patinated plaster bust of a Gothic nobleman. Our heavy weight plaster bust has a patination a...
Terracotta
$8,000 / set
H 13 in W 4.125 in D 4.125 in
Pair of 19th Century Busts After Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This pair of 19th century busts are after noted French sculptor Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824 - 1887). The pieces are exquisitely detailed and depict the head and torso of a ...
Metal
Ant Nelson, Bust Of A Woman, Alabaster, Late 19th Century
By Anton Nelson
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Beautiful alabaster bust of an elegant woman with a hat and a ribbon in her hair; the base is decorated with flowers/leaves This bust is signed on the back Ant Nelson: this is the p...
Alabaster
$341
H 9.45 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Majolica Swan Jardinière Planter Style of Imperiale Nimy, Belgium 1900s
Located in Verviers, BE
Majolica white swan jardinière Nimy, circa 1900. A real treasure for the ceramics' collector. Small chip to top rim not visible during use see photo. Please don't hesitate to get i...
Majolica
$15,080Sale Price|35% Off
H 26 in W 18 in D 9 in
A Monumental, Richly Patinated Bronze Bust of Beethoven by G. Leroux
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Monumental, Richly Patinated Bronze Bust of Beethoven by Gaston Veuvenot Leroux (1854-1942) & Eugène Blot, Fondeur This magnificent sculpture powerfully captures the iconic co...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Vintage Boho Patinated Metal Bust of a Moorish Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the eclectic charm of Boho style with this vintage patinated metal bust of a Moorish man. Crafted with intricate detail and rich character, this piece exudes a timeless allur...
Metal
Monumental Orientalist Terracotta Bust of a Beautiful Woman
Located in Petaluma, CA
Truly a spectacular and huge terra cotta figure of a beautiful woman. Luscious paint and a lifelike pose make this a treat for the eyes. This is one of the largest pieces of terracot...
Terracotta
Marble Bust of Moor
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This marble bust of a Moor shows beautiful carved details of a ebony face with native turban and cloak, circa 20th century.
Marble