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Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

MOORISH STYLE

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.

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Style: Moorish
Pair of Moorish Inlaid Commodes
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Moorish Inlaid Two-Drawer Commodes, 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Boho Bernhardt Linen Wrapped Nailhead Chest of Drawers
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Contemporary chest of drawers. Made by the Bernhardt group and tagged inside the drawer. A beautiful linen wrapped cabinet wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Moroccan Stone Grey Chest of Drawers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pine wood painted three-drawer dresser in a stone-grey antiqued finish. With a rectangular molded edge raised on turned taupee feet. Dimensions: 44" W x 18" D x 35" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Antique White Chest of Drawers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pine wood painted three-drawer dresser in an antique white painted finish. With a rectangular molded edge raised on turned taupee feet. Dimensions: 44" W x 18" D x 35" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Moroccan Antique White Chest of Drawers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pine wood painted three-drawer dresser in an antique white painted finish. With a rectangular molded edge raised on turned taupee feet. Dimensions: 44" W x 18" D x 35" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair Syrian Hexadecagon Marquetry Chests
Located in Houston, TX
Damascus, 1920s or Earlier Monumental sixteen sided star shaped chests with sixteen drawers, hand carved/turned, mother of pearl and abalone inlay.
Category

Early 20th Century Syrian Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Moorish White Inlay Moroccan Nightstands, a Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Middle Eastern Syrian style Moroccan nightstands. Pair of handcrafted contemporary Moorish Moroccan dresser with two drawers, wood inlay w...
Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bone, Wood, Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, Shell

Syrian Chest With Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful Syrian chest, extensively decorated with mother of pearl inlay, it has 5 drawers and a white marble top. Extensive detail and craftsmanship, an exceptional pi...
Category

1960s Syrian Vintage Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

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Grey Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers, 18th Century
Located in Virum, DK
A grey painted Baroque chest of drawers, curved front with three drawers, 18th century.
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18th Century Danish Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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French Antiques Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
This French antique chest of drawers embodies the timeless elegance of the Louis XVI style and originates from the enchanting Rhone Valley. Ca...
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1910s French Vintage Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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French Antiques Chest of Drawers
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Light grey baroque chest of drawers, 18th century
Located in Greding, DE
Hand-painted baroque chest of drawers in light grey with blue accents. The corpus with serpentine front stands on lightly pressed ball feet. The painting is new and was inspired by h...
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18th Century Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Antique Traditional Syrian Geometrical Marquetry Side Table
Located in London, GB
Antique traditional Syrian geometrical marquetry side table Syrian, late 19th century Measures: Height 68cm, width 39cm, depth 42cm This beaut...
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Late 19th Century Syrian Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Grey White C.1860
Located in LONDON, GB
Shipping update - please message us directly with your city and zip/postcode for a delivery cost to your location on this item - please do not request shipping from 1st dibs Circa 1...
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Materials

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Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome Antique Chest with fine traditional form and good color. Antique tall chest of drawers with three over two over four graduated drawers. T...
Category

19th Century Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
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Pair Custom Linen Wrapped Open Commodes, Chests, Nightstands, White, American
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Custom Linen Wrapped Open Commodes, Chests, Nightstands, White, American Contemporary decorative cabinet hand wrapped in linen and given a multi-layered paint glaze in a neutra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

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19th Century English Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
19th century mahogany chest of drawers from England with a single board top with lovely color and graining. This is surrounded by a beveled edge. The sides are simple, and the front ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Chest of Drawers
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H 31.63 in W 42.5 in D 20.75 in
Pair of Small Italian Chests of Drawer in Walnut
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of small Mid-20th Century Italian chests of drawer in walnut, marked "Selva".
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Distressed Vintage Georgian Style Yew Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Distressed Georgian Style Yew Wood Small Chest of Drawers. Very lovely little chest can be used as a bedside table or anywhere ar...
Category

20th Century British Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Mezza Luna Inlaid Marquetry Olivewood Bombe Commodes
Located in Torquay, GB
Pair of midcentury Italian Olivewood marquetry cabinets. Beautiful matching set of Hollywood Regency mezza Luna bombe cabinets. Offered here in original and fine condition. Solid olivewood structure with curved edges and beautifully shaped drawers. Thick walled high gloss lacquer over intricate floral patterned marquetry. Each corner adorned with an image of a gorgeous putto angel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Burl, Olive

1950s Paul Frankl Moroccan Red Lacquered Double Dresser / Chest of Drawers
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Paul Frankl 10-drawer chest with freshly polished brass X pulls, refinished and shown in Moroccan Red Lacquer from Frankl's Debonair Collection for Johnson Furniture. Pair Available. Please note buyer has the option to select any color for professional refinishing to match the desired interior. Certainly one of Paul Frankl's most celebrated designs, the chest is timeless and pairs well with contemporary, eclectic and mid century decor. Paul Frankl was known in the Art Deco period for his architectural skyscraper...
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Mid-20th Century Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

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Previously Available Items
Vintage Moorish Style Mother Of Pearl Inlaid Chest Of Drawers
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning vintage Middle Eastern Moorish style inlaid chest of drawers. Exquisitely hand-crafted, featuring mother of pearl, white and ebonized bone, and exotic woods inlay in so...
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Late 20th Century Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Chest of Drawers with Mother of Pearl Marquetry
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Moroccan four drawer chest fit for a king, crafted in mahogany with a floral inlaid cartouche on the top and sides inside a field of mother of pearl, indigenous hardwoods and bone ma...
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20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Middle Eastern Inlaid Mother of Pearl Bow Front Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Intricately inlaid mother of pearl middle eastern wedding chest of drawers. Wonderful detail on all sides & top.
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20th Century Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Moorish Moroccan Chest of Drawers Inlay Dresser
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moorish Moroccan Levantine inlaid chest of drawers. Fabulous Moorish artwork, handcrafted dresser with three drawers, inlay with mother of pearl. Middle Eastern Syrian style dresser with Moorish arches and intricate geometric and floral designs. Dowry chest of drawers heavily inlaid in front, the sides are also inlaid with marble top. Contemporary chest of drawers handcrafted by artisans in Morocco...
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1990s Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Moorish Moroccan White Nightstand Dresser
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Middle Eastern Syrian style Moroccan nightstand. Handcrafted contemporary Moroccan dresser with two drawers, wood inlay with white mother ...
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Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Wood, Bone, Shell, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl

White Inlay Moorish Moroccan Nightstand Dresser
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Middle Eastern Syrian style Moroccan nightstand. Handcrafted contemporary Moroccan dresser with two drawers, wood inlay with white mother ...
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Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Shell, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

White Inlay Moorish Moroccan Nightstands a Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Middle Eastern Syrian style Moroccan nightstands. Pair of handcrafted contemporary Moorish Moroccan dresser with two drawers, wood inlay w...
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Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bone, Shell, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Moorish 18th Century Spanish Vargueño Cabinet Desk on Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime 18th century Spanish vargueño cabinet desk or chest on stand featuring dramatic Moorish arabesque inlay designs. Also known as a Bargu...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Silver, Brass, Iron

Moorish Pearl Inlay Carved Wedding Chest of Drawers
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular Moorish wedding chest of drawers or commode featuring extensive mother of pearl inlay. Intricately decorated with a floral and vine motif design having bone inlay on the ...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Quartz

Pair of Syrian Mother of Pearl Inlay Nightstands
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous pair of Middle Eastern Syrian mother of pearl inlay nightstands. Handcrafted wedding dresser with four drawers, wood inlay with ...
Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Marble

Marble Top Moorish Chest of Drawers with Inlaid Mother of Pearl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three drawer chest or commode featuring a white marble top, serpentine top drawer, geometric bone borders, mother of pearl floral inlays connected by delicate painted vines, paneled ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

1920s Moroccan Commode, Chest, Cabinet or Sideboard with Arch Design
Located in Plainview, NY
An early 20th century unique piece that was acquired in a Riad of a private collector in Marrakech. The chest, commode to cabinet features high quality inlay of white camel bone and brass. The ebonized wood will make this piece seamlessly blend in any design. The craftsmanship is just astonishing. The Taj Mahal / Moorish arches design...
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Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Moorish commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Moorish commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with mother-of-pearl, shell and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Moorish commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are Asia, Syria, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,800 and tops out at $26,000 while the average work can sell for $16,524.

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