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.
$360Sale Price|24% Off
Vintage Moroccan Tribal Handmade Wool Blue and Red Small Rug or Carpet
Located in Plainview, NY
Experience the opulence of this exquisite Moroccan tribal rug, handcrafted from premium sheep wool and adorned with vibrant blue and red tribal designs made from all-natural vegetabl...
Wool
Shabby Chic Turkish Gallery Rug
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful worn 20th century gallery size Turkish rug. Faded blues and khaki tones. Measures: 5'6" x 10'11".
Wool
Contemporary Transitional Decorative Bidjar Floral Rug
By Nasiri
Located in New York, NY
Our contemporary Bidjar rugs are inspired from 16th century Islamic textiles. We adapted those centuries-old designs into more modern, decorative motif...
Wool, Cotton
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Red Moroccan Rug or Carpet Handmade with Abstract and Geometric Design
Located in Plainview, NY
A stunning handwoven vintage Moroccan rug or carpet in a deep red color. The rug features captivating geometrical and berber abstract symbols. The rug ...
Wool
Handwoven Wool Rug, Moroccan Inspired Design, Ivory Diamonds, India
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Moroccan inspired handwoven wool rug features a traditional ivory diamond design on a light coffee colored background. Brand new. 100% Wool.
Wool
Moroccan Handwoven Wool Rug, Contemporary Design, Mastercrafted
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Part of the Mansour Modern collection, this Moroccan inspired design is handwoven by master weavers using the finest quality techniques and materials.
Wool
Vintage Moroccan Berber Tribal Rug, Handwoven Wool, 1960s Geometric
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1960s Large handwoven vintage Moroccan Berber tribal rug, nicely aged and faded with pink and sage cors.Handwoven by The Berber tribes in Morocco with traditional geometric tribal de...
Wool, Goat Hair
$4,720Sale Price|20% Off
W 120 in L 168 in
New Modern Transitional Damask Area Rug, Contemporary Victorian Damask Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
30257 New Modern Transitional Damask Area Rug, Contemporary Victorian Damask Rug 10'00 x 14'00. Give your space an exotic and fresh update with this modern ...
Wool
$1,549Sale Price|35% Off
W 64.57 in L 90.56 in
Handmade Carpet Moroccan Rugs, Shag Rugs, Pink and Red Primitive Carpet for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This is an example of a handwoven rug, which is featuring designs from the Morocco region. Morocco is famous for its primitive traditional rugs with long pile. Weavers used top quality wool and cotton for the production of this red rug. This tribal rug features typical geometric rug patterns. There are a variety of colours on this carpet rug such as red, dark blue, green and yellow. These vintage rugs look beautiful and would stand out as living room rugs or bedroom rugs. These washable rugs are one of a kind and cannot be found in every rug warehouse or rug store. Handmade Carpet Moroccan Rugs, Shag Rugs, Pink and Red Primitive...
Organic Material, Cotton, Wool
New Contemporary Oushak Area Rug with Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80391 New Contemporary Oushak Area Rug with Transitional Style. Providing elements of wanderlust and functional versatility, this modern Oushak style rug features a cream field with ...
Wool
$799Sale Price|20% Off
W 38 in L 76 in
Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug with Shabby Chic Farmhouse Style
By Zeki Müren
Located in Dallas, TX
51970, distressed vintage Turkish Sivas rug with shabby chic farmhouse style. This distressed vintage Turkish Sivas rug with modern Industrial Art Deco style can make an interior spa...
Wool
$799Sale Price|20% Off
W 43 in L 73 in
New Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80388 Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style. Blending a Federal style and elements from the modern world, this hand knotted wool contemporary transitional Ou...
Wool
$1,343Sale Price|20% Off
W 78 in L 78 in
Vintage Berber Moroccan Rug with Tribal Style, Red Shaggy Square Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
74771, vintage Berber Moroccan rug with Tribal style, red Shaggy square rug. This hand knotted wool vintage Berber Moroccan rug beautifully showcases a tribal style in vibrant colors...
Wool
$1,870Sale Price|30% Off
W 63 in L 110.24 in
Handmade Carpet Moroccan Rugs, Geometric Red Rug Primitive Carpet for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This is an example of a handwoven rug, which features designs from the Morocco region. Morocco is famous for its primitive traditional rugs with long piles and simple geometric desig...
Wool, Organic Material, Cotton
$6,520Sale Price|20% Off
W 147 in L 190 in
New Contemporary Turkish Oushak Rug with Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52733, new contemporary Turkish Oushak rug with Transitional style 12'03 x 15'10. Blending elements from the modern world with light and airy colors, this hand knotted wool contempor...
Wool
$7,143Sale Price|20% Off
W 119 in L 150 in
New Contemporary Turkish Oushak Rug with Transitional Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53514, new contemporary Turkish Oushak rug with transitional modern style 09'11 x 12'06. Playful and polished, this hand-knotted wool contemporary Turkish Oushak rug features an all-...
Wool
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
W 60 in L 102 in
Vintage Berber Moroccan Azilal Rug with Tribal Style, Moroccan Berber Carpet
Located in Dallas, TX
20747, vintage Berber Moroccan Azilal rug with tribal style, Moroccan Berber carpet. This hand-knotted wool vintage Moroccan Azilal rug is a striking example of the Berber tribe and ...
Wool
$952Sale Price|20% Off
W 46 in L 72 in
Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug with English Country Shabby Chic Style
By Zeki Müren
Located in Dallas, TX
51936, Zeki Muren Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug with English Country Shabby Chic Style, 03'10 X 06'00. This distressed vintage Turkish Sivas rug with European Country style fe...
Wool
$5,439Sale Price|20% Off
W 112 in L 153 in
New Contemporary Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52939, new contemporary Turkish Oushak rug with modern Transitional style. Blending elements from the modern world with light and airy colors, this hand knotted wool contemporary Tur...
Wool
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
W 106 in L 142 in
New Transitional Gray Rug with Minimalist Style, Contemporary Bauhaus Design
Located in Dallas, TX
30333 New Transitional Gray Area Rug with Minimalist Pattern, Contemporary Bauhaus Design 08'10 x 11'10. Striking in its style and delicate beauty, this transitional gray area rug features a subtle geometric pattern with contemporary minimalist style. The cool and casual light gray hues are stylish, yet sophisticated while adding texture and depth. Well-suited for a wide range of interiors: Contemporary, Bauhaus, Modern, Transitional, Traditional, Refined Industrial, French Country, Swedish Farmhouse, Cottage, Coastal, Neutral, Minimalist, Nautical, Plantation, Naturalist, Neoclassical, Palladian or Monochromatic homes. In a contemporary or modern setting, this transitional area rug is the perfect grounding tool for metallic high-gloss and chrome furniture making the space feel warm, comfortable and inviting. A great additional to nearly any bedroom, living room, dining room, front room, great room, state room, family room, studio, study, loft, lounge, or office. Perfect for transitional spaces, beach homes, lake houses, Oceanside cottages, and neutral nautical interiors. Rendered in variegated shades: gray, slate, charcoal, dove gray, oyster gray, light gray, stone gray, and sandy-beige with steel and espresso striations. Complementary Colors: Oyster Shell Gray, Harbor Gray, Coventry Gray, Stonington Gray, Moonshine Gray, Gray Owl, Gray Cashmere and whispers of Iron Mountain...
Wool
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
W 82 in L 120 in
Zeki Muren Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug with Shabby Chic Cottage Style
Located in Dallas, TX
51153 Zeki Muren Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug with Shabby Chic Cottage Style. Lovingly timeworn with cottage charm and Gustavian grace, this hand knotted wool distressed Turk...
Wool
Moorish Style Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive vintage hand knotted wool Turkish Oushak rug. Large rug with a beige field having a medallion encircled by free form floral and vines. The border features an arabesque or...
Wool
Karastan Kirman Wool Oriental Rug, circa 1950
By Karastan
Located in Big Flats, NY
Karastan Kirman Oriental rug offers wool construction with central medallion and all-over detached floral spray on salmon red ground, original label, c...
Wool
Leather Rug Brown Tuareg Carpet from Mauretania North African Round
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Round leather rug brown tuareg carpet from Mauretania A beautiful rug from Mauretania. • Beautiful colors, very vibrant • Made of soft goat leather • Ro...
Leather
Sold
W 118.12 in L 118.12 in
Leather Rug Black Brown Tuareg Carpet from Mauretania North African Patchwork
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Leather rug checkerboard patchwork black brown Tuareg carpet from Mauretania A beautiful rug from Mauretania. • Beautiful colors, very vibrant • Made of...
Wool
Moroccan Boho Chic Rug
Located in Plainview, NY
Small rug. This Boucherouite rug is a unique piece handmade by women in Marrakesh and in the Atlas Mountains area. This a vintage style piece with humble beginnings as fabric scraps ...
Fabric, Wool
Soft Pink Red Shabby Chic Turkish Oushak Runner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish shabby chic runner measuring 2'5" x 10'9".
Wool
Moroccan Tribal Handwoven Rug or Carpet Wool with Blue Diamond on Red Background
Located in Stamford, CT
Moroccan tribal handwoven rug or carpet wool with blue diamond on red background. A stunning and sophisticated addition to your living room, dining room, foyer or bedroom -Handwov...
Wool
Vintage Moroccan Red Tribal Rug or Carpet
Located in Plainview, NY
Vintage Handwoven Moroccan Wool and Organic Dye Rug with Tribal Patterns This vintage handwoven carpet is from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and is made using the highest-quality 10...
Wool
Berber Vintage Handwoven Organic Wool Rug in Abstract Patterns and Vivid Orange
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely vintage vivid orange handwoven carpet from the Taznacht region in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The rug features berber tribal symbols and is 100% organic made of natural ...
Wool
Moroccan Wool Runner Rug or Carpet
Located in Plainview, NY
Moroccan Wool Runner Rug or Carpet with Handwoven Patchwork Pattern Tribal vintage Moroccan runner rug, carpet with handwoven patchwork pattern, an ele...
Wool
Shabby Chic Turkish Oushak Runner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish shabby chic runner.
Wool
Moroccan Boho Chic Rug
Located in Stamford, CT
This Boucherouite rug is a unique piece handmade by women in Marrakesh and in the Atlas Mountains area. This a vintage style piece with humble beginnings as fabric scraps is transfor...
Moroccan Azilal Berber Carpet or Rug
Located in Stamford, CT
This vintage Berber carpet is handmade by the Azilal tribe in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco with local wool and natural organic dyes. The rug exhibits eccentric tribal motifs contai...
Wool
New Transitional Modern Runner, Midnight Navy Blue Hallway Runner
Located in Dallas, TX
30283 New Transitional Modern Runner, Midnight Navy Blue Hallway Runner. Infuse your room with the curvaceous, exotic arabesque pattern highlighted in this transitional navy blue hal...
Wool
New Transitional Modern Rug with Moorish Design Pattern, Moorish-Style Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
30284 New Transitional Modern Rug with Moorish Design Pattern, 04'06 X 07'00. Infuse your room with the curvaceous, exotic arabesque pattern highlighted in this transitional Moorish-...
Wool