The Elegance of The Moor's

From what I have read on this subject, it is the Muslims that were from Northern Africa ( Morocco, Tangiers, etc) and being more tawny/lighter in complexion, they were called 'Moors'. The Darkest were referred to as Blackamoors.
Shakespear's 'Othello' was a Blackamoor and from approximately that time in history ,
the Moors were known as 'Blackamoors' in England. I imagine the name caught on from there and traveled the rest of Europe.

The Moorish civilization conquered and ruled Spain.

The Blackamoors hired themselves out in Europe as professional soldiers.

They said it was magnificent to watch them in action. Among their many skills, was their riding ability which was pure grace to behold.

The Moorish civilization conquered and ruled Spain, and if you read another post you will learn about The Alcazar & Alhambra Palaces in Spain. These are the finest examples in the world of early Islamic Architecture.

Blackamoors used in Design have always been a symbol of sophistication and elegance. I have a particular affection for them. In this master bedroom that I did for a long time client, I used Blackamoors for the lamp bases. (click to enlarge on pics)

These great people were called 'Moors' because the word "moor" meant black in their native language.

Read more at :
www.moorsgate.com

and the Book : The Golden Age of the Moors

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Alhambra Palace

When the Christians became involved with Alcazar or Alhambra, because they thought the Islamic Prayers were so beautiful to look at, that they had the Moor's write the Christian prayers in Islamic Calligraphy. Think about it, the Moor's could have written anything on those walls. LOL

This is considered the greatest example of Islamic Architecture in the world.

More beautiful writings.

Alhambra Chapel has a combination of Christianity and Islam.

It's just not working,.... well,...... I don't think it works.

But I am over this topic already-

http://www.alhambra.org/ go here to learn more

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Did Alcazar Inspire Addison Mizner ?

( garden at Alcazar )
What I have read of Addison Mizner is that he was completely inspired with Spanish architecture, including the Spanish Colonial in Guatemala where he lived with his family as a young man.

' Mudejar Style '

Seville ( Andalusia ) is more than two thousand years old, in early Roman times it was known as “Hispalis” (Iberia). After many conquest of this Roman province by Vandals and Visigoths (eastern German tribes) in the 5th and 6th centuries, the city was conquered by the Moors in 712.
The Islamic Conquerors’ of Spain ( Moors )came from the shores of Northern Africa in 711; their reign lasted for almost 800 years. Alcazar is one of the best remaining examples of Mudejar architecture, a style under Christian rule in Spain but using Islamic architectural influence.

Elements of style,..... hm.......reminds me of Venice.

Under the control of the Islamic Moors, Seville ( and CORDOVA) became the most sophisticated and cultured center of western civilization. The Moors ruled fairly, Jews and Muslim’s lived side by side in harmony. They also believed that when you were young and strong you paid taxes, and when you were considered old, you were forgiven taxes.
Individuals of different faiths lived peacfully and without judgment from the Muslims.

How incredibly far the extremist and terrorist of Islam have taken themselves from their origins.

It remained under Muslim control, and under the rule of the Umayyad, Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, until falling to Fernando III in 1248.

The Christians so loved the Moorish architecture, they wanted the new Christian Palace built by the Moors.
In the main square across from the sprawling cathedral sits Seville’s Christian ‘Alcazar Palace’.

It was built by the Muslim artists and architects that chose to stay behind in Seville under cruel Christian rule, and this gave this Seville ‘ The Mudejar Style’ .
* Mudejar means, literally, ‘those who stayed’.

The Alcazar Palace feels like an Arabian Nights fairy-tale.

In 1503, Queen Isabel created a new palace wing to administer Spain's New World adventures along with a monument in honor of Columbus pictured above.

It's no accident that 1492 is a date famous for two events: the final expulsion of the Moors, and Columbus' "discovery" of America.

This is in the Plaza de España, ( The Spanish Square ) in Seville .

If I can deal with another article, I will do Granada's Alhambra. If I do not , you really need to google it. Cordova is so beautiful, and the History is fascinating. I want to go there very badly.

This is an old civilazation that has been quite diversified through the centureies.

Ah.......there is so much to learn, I can learn until I die.

(please click on any pic to enlarge)

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Addison Mizner and Johnnie Brown

Originally Posted 10/02/08
The Man Who Made Palm Beach ,'PALM BEACH '

Addison Mizner said: “if you can’t find it, make it,” as he launched into the building business. ( click on pics to read more )

Addison Cairns Mizner : born in 1872 in Benicia, California, to a wealthy. He was the second youngest of seven children. In 1889 "papa" Mizner was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister to Central America and took the family to live in Guatemala City.
The impact Guatemala had on Mizner cannot be overstated. Mizner was captivated by the Spanish architecture. Mizner went on to study in Spain, traveled to the Far East, Australia, and lived for a few years in Hawaii. Mizner trained as an architect and worked as a draftsman in California for Willis Polk, the leader of the Spanish "mission" style of design.
Mizner established an office on Park Avenue and earned the reputation as an architect of the affluent. He devoted himself to his career until the end.

( with his beloved monkey Johnnie Brown , this is why monkeys are so big in Palm Beach)

Addison Mizner, would settle for no less than excellence. He was personally involved with the interior design of his homes as well. He travelled to Spain to obtain the special materials he needed to produce his magnificent work.

His pet monkey Johnnie Brown is buried in Via Mizner off Worth Avenue in a small garden. This is his head-stone. I love that, it is so sweet. This should explain where the complete craze in Palm Beach for Monkeys comes from.

Crazy for Monkeys !!!!! There is not a Palm Beach Interior that would be considered complete without a MONKEY SOMEWHERE!!!

It is considered beyond prestigious to have a bronze Historical Landmark on your original Addison Mizner home.

This is an original tile design of Mizner's made by his company. This is an actual tile from The Boca Raton Resort.

Signature Mizner Style at the Boca Raton Resort

Sadly, Addison Mizner died broke.

Click on pic to read more

info and pics from B.R. Hist Society, and Sun Sentinel

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design.......