Moorish Patterns: Where They Originated and Why They Endure
The rich colours and intricate geometry of Moorish patterns are dazzling – knowing their history is even more thrilling
Erica Barlow
4 June 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. I'm a freelance writer who is passionate about interiors, exteriors and pretty much anything in between. This becomes very interesting when furnishing somewhere with my two toddlers in the mix! They have taught me a lot about what you can do with limited space, time and/ or money.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I'm a freelance writer who is passionate about interiors,... More
It is possible to love Moorish pattern-work for its beauty and ingenuity alone, and many do. Unmistakeable shapes and motifs in endless interlocked and repeated geometrics, the Moors’ style legacy dazzles in many homes.
However, a look at the patterns’ rich and intriguing history adds another layer to appreciate, and it can help to bring their magic to life. Let these amazing designs inspire you and then consider how you might bring them, and their stories, into your home.
However, a look at the patterns’ rich and intriguing history adds another layer to appreciate, and it can help to bring their magic to life. Let these amazing designs inspire you and then consider how you might bring them, and their stories, into your home.
The Legacy of Tradition
A renewed appreciation of the craftsmanship of traditional cultures – work that is rooted in history – over mass-produced perfection has helped to make Moorish style more popular than ever.
This has happened in two ways: the emerging ‘desert wanderer’ aesthetic has direct inspiration from Moorish style, including the patterns of course, but also the use of honest, natural materials and the earthy and jewel-inspired colour palette.
A renewed appreciation of the craftsmanship of traditional cultures – work that is rooted in history – over mass-produced perfection has helped to make Moorish style more popular than ever.
This has happened in two ways: the emerging ‘desert wanderer’ aesthetic has direct inspiration from Moorish style, including the patterns of course, but also the use of honest, natural materials and the earthy and jewel-inspired colour palette.
The renewed interest in the handmade cement tile industry, in which Spain is a leading innovator, has seen an increased demand for traditional Spanish tiles. And the ‘Mediterranean-style’ patterns on them are directly descended from Spain’s former inhabitants: North Africa’s Moors.
It is this connection with Spain, and therefore Europe and the West, that makes Moorish pattern-work such a unique element of the broader Islamic or Arabic styles.
See more about stunning cement tile designs
It is this connection with Spain, and therefore Europe and the West, that makes Moorish pattern-work such a unique element of the broader Islamic or Arabic styles.
See more about stunning cement tile designs
Patterns Over Pictures
For all their many and varied features, Moorish patterns all started from the same principle. That is, Islamic teaching discourages lifelike portrayal of living things, so Islamic depictions of beauty – of life, knowledge and the infinity of the heavens – exist instead through the medium of pattern, or shape arrangement.
Initially, the shapes used were those pre-existing from Greco-Roman and Persian times, though the new life breathed into them by the Moors made them more unique and intricate in every way.
Though it is impossible to cover the endless overlap and variation that has grown within and between these different designs, the most recognisable can be outlined as follows:
For all their many and varied features, Moorish patterns all started from the same principle. That is, Islamic teaching discourages lifelike portrayal of living things, so Islamic depictions of beauty – of life, knowledge and the infinity of the heavens – exist instead through the medium of pattern, or shape arrangement.
Initially, the shapes used were those pre-existing from Greco-Roman and Persian times, though the new life breathed into them by the Moors made them more unique and intricate in every way.
Though it is impossible to cover the endless overlap and variation that has grown within and between these different designs, the most recognisable can be outlined as follows:
- floral/vegetal
- arabesque
- geometric
Floral/vegetal
Strictly speaking, floral pattern-work is more true to Ottoman (ancient Turkish) design; the swirling vines and leaves of vegetal artwork are far more prominent to that of the Moors.
And the less realistic the botanic form, of course, the better: stems are born out of nowhere and often twist into infinity. This side table demonstrates how this pattern can work on a very simple level, losing none of its charm when cast in contemporary grey.
Strictly speaking, floral pattern-work is more true to Ottoman (ancient Turkish) design; the swirling vines and leaves of vegetal artwork are far more prominent to that of the Moors.
And the less realistic the botanic form, of course, the better: stems are born out of nowhere and often twist into infinity. This side table demonstrates how this pattern can work on a very simple level, losing none of its charm when cast in contemporary grey.
Testament to how detailed this same pattern can become, however, is the lace-like design on this bedhead. This is true to the Moors’ use of elaborate fretwork, though what works as a pretty bedhead here would have been positioned more as a divide between two areas in the Moors’ time, filtering daylight through the holes to cast an impressive array of shadows onto the area behind.
See more of this Moroccan-style home
See more of this Moroccan-style home
Arabesque
Though often used to describe anything ‘of an Arabic style’, the term arabesque actually refers to a pattern that employs the floral-vegetal imagery in a more geometric arrangement (see below for details of geometric patterns).
In this bathroom, arabesque leaf and vine motifs in typical aquamarine colours are repeated through the geometry and the reflection in the pewter bath and antiqued mirror. The simple white subway tiles are a great foil to the incurvate details underfoot.
Though often used to describe anything ‘of an Arabic style’, the term arabesque actually refers to a pattern that employs the floral-vegetal imagery in a more geometric arrangement (see below for details of geometric patterns).
In this bathroom, arabesque leaf and vine motifs in typical aquamarine colours are repeated through the geometry and the reflection in the pewter bath and antiqued mirror. The simple white subway tiles are a great foil to the incurvate details underfoot.
For a more understated alternative, monochrome arabesque can look smart and fresh against soapstone surfaces and a neutral palette.
Geometric
A fusion of art and mathematics, Moorish geometric arrangements remain the most innovative of all. Their designers began with only a ruler and compass to hand, and with these drew basic circle and square arrangements. These were then repeated and/or overlapped symmetrically ad infinitum, creating endlessly precise yet intricate designs.
It is said that in their sprawling infinity, the repeated patterns were not intended to overwhelm but to produce in the observer a feeling of calm contemplation, as if looking at a vast starry sky.
If, through modern eyes, this does look a little crowded, the patterns can easily be reserved for signature spaces within a contemporary scheme. The most prominent subgroups of these patterns are:
A fusion of art and mathematics, Moorish geometric arrangements remain the most innovative of all. Their designers began with only a ruler and compass to hand, and with these drew basic circle and square arrangements. These were then repeated and/or overlapped symmetrically ad infinitum, creating endlessly precise yet intricate designs.
It is said that in their sprawling infinity, the repeated patterns were not intended to overwhelm but to produce in the observer a feeling of calm contemplation, as if looking at a vast starry sky.
If, through modern eyes, this does look a little crowded, the patterns can easily be reserved for signature spaces within a contemporary scheme. The most prominent subgroups of these patterns are:
- girih
- tessellations
- quatrefoil and barbed quatrefoil patterns
- overlapping circles
- zellige
Girih: A girih pattern often centres around a repeated star motif (typically a six- or eight-pointed star, though this can vary), individual stars connected endlessly with visible, interlacing straplines. The resulting pattern often resembles lace-like rosettes as above, which when reserved for a statement piece manage not to overwhelm.
The gold straplines, visible in various directions, of this girih arrangement are made to feel more earthy than garish when set against burnt orange. That said, if you prefer a ‘less is more’ approach here, you can keep this to a feature wall surrounded by peaceful white: the perfect way not to overdo geometrics.
See more wonderful wallpaper
The gold straplines, visible in various directions, of this girih arrangement are made to feel more earthy than garish when set against burnt orange. That said, if you prefer a ‘less is more’ approach here, you can keep this to a feature wall surrounded by peaceful white: the perfect way not to overdo geometrics.
See more wonderful wallpaper
Tessellations: Masters of the tessellation, if the Moors inspired Dutch artist MC Escher, then it’s no surprise they should continue to wow the rest of us. A tessellation is an arrangement made by fitting shapes closely together with no gaps or overlaps. Terracotta with inset royal-blue tiles is about as Moorish as it gets.
Anyone familiar with Victorian architecture will be familiar with these tessellated tiles, complete with trademark star motif repeated throughout. This particular design is often used in porches, hallways and verandahs, making a grand and elegant entrance that never dates.
Otherwise the tessellated square, in timeless monochrome, remains a faithful Moorish classic.
Quatrefoil and barbed quatrefoil patterns: The quatrefoil shape is often described as a four-leafed clover. It is essentially made from four circles touching or overlapping in a square formation, a tessellation of sorts achieved as seen in this show-stopping bathroom suite. Both regal and exotic, a repeated quatrefoil pattern done in grey marble is simply pure indulgence. In this case a strong statement like this avoids being overbearing when kept to the floor and one alcove, allowing other luxurious elements to shine.
A barbed quatrefoil is the same shape but with four points, or barbs, visible between the circles, as can be seen in this mirror. Like the quatrefoil, when repeated into a pattern it was equally as prominent throughout textiles as tile-work in Moorish times, and continues to be so. Again when tessellated, with small diamond-like shapes between the quatrefoils, an elegant arrangement is created.
However, though both types of quatrefoil design seem so quintessentially Moorish, they actually pre-date Islamic design and can be found throughout Christian architecture. True to form though, the Moors made both versions their own with countless subtle adaptations.
However, though both types of quatrefoil design seem so quintessentially Moorish, they actually pre-date Islamic design and can be found throughout Christian architecture. True to form though, the Moors made both versions their own with countless subtle adaptations.
One of the most enduring of such adaptations was a barbed quatrefoil featuring concave as well as convex curves, creating a shape that would tessellate more simply since only one shape (i.e. with no extra diamonds) was needed. The result was the genius simplicity of the design we still see today.
Overlapping circles: Another recognisable departure from the basic repeated quatrefoil is the overlapping circle design, which is what we would have if simple (non-barbed) quatrefoils both overlapped and were entirely transparent. This is, of course, a more complex pattern and yet used on this contemporary bedhead in simple monochrome, the look is chic-boutique rather than busy.
Zellige: Rather than a specific pattern, zellige is actually a mosaic of tilework set into plaster and can feature any Moorish geometric design. Anyone who has been to Spain or Morocco is likely to have seen zellige adorning walls, floors, fountains, tables and just about any flat, solid surface.
Whether featured indoors, on a patio or within a lush green oasis, the twinkling tiles of zellige can bring just the right amount of detail or colour to spice things up. Here it has been adapted to just that effect in a modern role of kitchen splashback.
Contemporary Reworkings
Though traditional Moorish patterns work with just about any scheme, for a contemporary look you may wish to consider some of the fantastic designs they have more recently inspired.
Mixing it up
For those seeking a style that is not too serious or committed, employing a mixture of Moorish tiles across a space has become a fashionable solution. Again, the key is to limit this busy design to one area so as not to overdo it.
A look equally popular in contemporary Spanish building and renovation, this idea creates a chic nod to tradition in a single stripe in this bathroom; the myriad colours kept in check by a simple white surround. Here a seamless look is achieved by continuing the mixed tiles across the floor.
Though traditional Moorish patterns work with just about any scheme, for a contemporary look you may wish to consider some of the fantastic designs they have more recently inspired.
Mixing it up
For those seeking a style that is not too serious or committed, employing a mixture of Moorish tiles across a space has become a fashionable solution. Again, the key is to limit this busy design to one area so as not to overdo it.
A look equally popular in contemporary Spanish building and renovation, this idea creates a chic nod to tradition in a single stripe in this bathroom; the myriad colours kept in check by a simple white surround. Here a seamless look is achieved by continuing the mixed tiles across the floor.
And if the full spectrum of colours is not for you, who said monochrome had to be monotonous? This simple bathroom suite gets a boost of drama underfoot with this gorgeous flooring, while also reinventing a classic Victorian look: a roll-top bath with Moorish tile-work.
In the kitchen, the same pattern can be used for a nod to the desert wanderer look with soft, inky-blue tones and a worn patina creating a lived-in feel.
Honeycomb
This pattern straddles both the ancient and modern world: it brings a crisp, current feel to any aesthetic and yet employs hexagonal tessellation, which predates any Islamic design. In this bathroom, the on-trend dark grout shows off the subtle web of symmetry that covers this archway.
This pattern straddles both the ancient and modern world: it brings a crisp, current feel to any aesthetic and yet employs hexagonal tessellation, which predates any Islamic design. In this bathroom, the on-trend dark grout shows off the subtle web of symmetry that covers this archway.
Escher-style 3D
Any simple scheme such as this one can get away with statement floor tiles similar to these, which – like Escher’s work – are hypnotic.
Your turn
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Any simple scheme such as this one can get away with statement floor tiles similar to these, which – like Escher’s work – are hypnotic.
Your turn
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More
Browse more spaces with statement tiles
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Thanks Erica, we plan to return!
I am reminded that Mediterranean style patterns all emanate from a common root. Here are some close up details of my Moroccan living room (wall tiles and hand carved wood ceiling)