Modern Shelves
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Clouds Drawer Designed by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Clouds drawer designed by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada
Measures: W 120 x D 40 x H 147cm
Structure in MDF with color-painted ash veneer
Fronts and back in matte or glossy paint finis...
Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Important Wall Unit, Large Curved Sofa and walnut Shelfs by Dassi, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Important wall unit, a large curved "conversation" sofa by Dassi executed in 1940 attributed to Ico Parisi.
Part of a unique living room designed to commission, L-shaped.
Mahogany, maple wood, brass, white cotton. original key
Measures: H 84 cm, 330 x 150 cm.
Brass plinth base H. 15 cm.
unique room
very large and curved sofa, removable; an hanging shelf, asymmetrical door
fine and elegant details in "grissinato" wood.
Please note this item is sold as single piece but belongs to a complete dining room...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Shelve Cabinet by Dutch Modernist H. Wouda, 1924
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist yellow, black and red shelve unit, Hendrik Wouda, H. Pander & Zonen, Netherlands 1924
Painted pine
The Interbellum, the period between the two World Wars, was a time when...
Category
1920s Dutch Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Contemporary Shelf in 3D printed Silica Sand, Amorphous Solids, by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Amorphous Solids is shapeless and without order.
The project is an exploration of the physical and digital and between production and craft.
Amorphous Solids are direct translations of hand-drawn motifs.
Organic and immediate, the extruded structures are intersected with straight lines to create cell-like chambers.
Each chamber suggests a place for something, but for what is unclear. The amorphous forms can be developed into endless new structures.
3D printed in silica and phenol resin, the granular surface texture is a result of a process typically used in casting mold...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
A pair of S-shaped stainless steel shelves "Zig Zag" Joelle Ferlande 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Joelle Ferlande
Zig-Zag
A pair of S-shaped stainless steel shelves.
Each made of a folded steel leaf.
Different combinations possible.
Edited by Kappa, Paris.
Circa 1970.
Literatu...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Resin
Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter.”
William L. Hamilton, The wall street journal
The Primo shelving system is composed of notched solid wood planks...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel, Brass
Karl Springer "Round Leg Etagere" in Solid Lucite and Steel 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Round Leg Etagere" in solid lucite and brushed and polished steel with 5 customized glass shelves by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship of this ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Shelving Room Divider "30/30 L" in Walnut by Casey Lurie Studio
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system.
Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the ...
Category
2010s North American Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut, Wood
Recyled anodised aluminium, black or white wall hung shelves "Cornisa" 2m width
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Cornisa was inspired by the 1973 Hialina shelf. It is witty and postmodern (much like Clotet and Tusquets), floating in space while referencing a classic concept: a cornice. The ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Wall Mounted Minimalist Shelves recycled anodised Aluminum (1 Unit :26CM /1 M)
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Cornisa was inspired by the 1973 Hialina shelf. It is witty and postmodern (much like Clotet and Tusquets), floating in space while referencing a classic concept: a cornice. The ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Porthole Shelving System, Handcrafted Modern Solid Wood Shelving System
Located in Stevenson, WA
The Porthole Shelving System was originally designed for an audio lover's records, but it’s not just for vinyl records: it fits art books and whatever ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Hardwood
Wall Mounted extruded recyled Aluminum shelves (1 Unit 26CM /1.5 M ) Spanish
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Cornisa was inspired by the 1973 Hialina shelf. It is witty and postmodern (much like Clotet and Tusquets), floating in space while referencing a classic concept: a cornice. The ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Genie Sculptural Hand Carved, Floating Shelf in Ash Wood by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
If you’re looking to conjure up something special for displaying your favourite ornament, Genie will be more than happy to grant you this wish. As if from nowhere a smoke-like wisp a...
Category
2010s British Modern Shelves
Materials
Ash
Architectural Italian Wall-Mounted Shelving System
Located in East Hampton, NY
Rare Industrial Italian wall-mounted library or shelving system that is completely customize-able to your design needs. A long shelving unit fitted with seven powder coated metal posts...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Red Lacquered Elmwood Cube Bookcase / Shelf
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese Red Lacquered Elmwood Cube Bookcase / Shelf
This twelve-sectioned red lacquered shelf is perfect for all your storage needs. Display all your treasured collectables or books...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Modern Shelves
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Italian modern orange plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Set of six shelves with asymmetric profile in bright orange plastic. There are two types of sizes: one smal...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Casamania Sean Yoo étagères Opus Incertum
Located in PARIS, FR
Sean Yoo est un designer américain d'origine coréenne dont le talent et la créativité ont marqué l'univers du design contemporain. Diplômé de l'École de design de l'Université de Har...
Category
1990s Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
Red Metal Shelf attributed to Mathieu Mategot, France, c. 1940
Located in New York City, NY
Painted, patinated red metal shelf with unique hole pattern, attributed to Mathieu Mategot
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Mensola 2017 - Shelf 2017
Located in Mosciano Sant'angelo, TE
Shelf and back in walnut strips are held together by two thin triangular cheeks in painted metal.
The simple and primitive shape gives the shelf the opportunity to be used with vario...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Iron
Wen Xue Shelf by objective OBJECT Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Wen Xue Shelf by objective OBJECT Studio
Dimensions: D 47 x W 81.5 x H 198 cm
Materials: Concrete, brass.
objective OBJECT
an embodiment of our architectural ethos.
We represent a...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Shelves
Materials
Concrete, Brass
alvar aalto 111 shelf
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
1940' alvar aalto design 111 shelf.
This is made in Hedemora for export to abroad aalto furnitures during WW2.
Category
1940s Finnish Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
Cave Sideboard by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Cave sideboard by kar
Dimensions: W 40 x D 38 x H 50 cm.
Materials: FRP.
Available in black.
Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetition. We seek the cause and eff...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Shelves
Materials
Fiberglass
Obelisk Form Etagere, C 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Sculptural and functional wrought iron etagere with three glass shelves in a charming obelisk form. Made of quality wrought iron with a metal ball finial topped with a brass fastener...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wrought Iron
French modern smoked glass metal lacquered wood bookcase by Alain Delon, 1980s
By Alain Delon
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern smoked glass, metal and lacquered wood Bookcase by Alain Delon, 1980s
Self-supporting floor bookcase with a rectangular base in cream yellow lacquered wood and brass de...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Kontra Shelves by SNICKERIET
Located in Geneve, CH
Kontra Shelves by SNICKERIET
Dimensions: D 41,2 x W 100 x H 243 cm.
Materials: Linoleum.
Adjustments can be discussed as long as the furniture archetype is maintained. Please conta...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
Kontra Shelves by SNICKERIET
Located in Geneve, CH
Kontra Shelves by SNICKERIET
Dimensions: D 41,2 x W 300 x H 243 cm.
Materials: Linoleum.
Adjustments can be discussed as long as the furniture archetype is maintained. Please conta...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
Graffiti Project Shelves by Wonwoo Koo
Located in Geneve, CH
Graffiti Project Shelves by Wonwoo Koo
Dimensions: D 35 x W 78,7 x H 45 cm.
Materials: Oak wood veneer.
Different color options are available: black, beige, white gray, blue or oran...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Librero Duna 1 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 1 by Eliana Portilla
Dimensions: D 35 x W 70 x H 175 cm.
Materials: Steel with brass coat.
This shelf is made of nine modular pieces. Please contact us.
I’m inspired b...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Steel
Librero Duna 2 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 2 by Eliana Portilla
Dimensions: D 35 x W 140 x H 105 cm.
Materials: Steel with brass coat.
This shelf is made of eight modular pieces. Please contact us.
Eliana Porti...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Steel
Librero Duna 3 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 3 by Eliana Portilla
Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 105 cm.
Materials: Steel with brass coat.
This shelf is made of three modular pieces. Please contact us.
I’m inspired ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Steel
Division Shelving by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Division Shelving by Phase Design
Dimensions: D 38,1 x W 91,4 x H 112,4 cm.
Materials: Powder-coated solid steel.
Solid steel sheet available in a flat black or white powder coat f...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Baker and Co. Three Shelf Display Cases, Pair
Located in Pasadena, CA
Three shelf brass and glass baker and company display case. beautiful edges on all corners. The brass does show some signs of use with minor scratching to the surface. The glass is ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in white lacquer
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel, Bronze
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in solid walnut
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in white lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Vintage French Brass Bistro with Glass Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage French Bistro Shelf sourced in the South of France. The unlacquered brass frame has adjustable shelves, curved brass shelf supports and l...
Category
20th Century French Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Curve Shelf System, Smoked Glass Shelves, Brass Frame
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The CURVE SHELF SYSTEM, emphasizing the subtle elegance of brass with its elegant curve details on its corners, impresses in your space...
Width: 90 cm / 35.4 inch
Depth: 40 cm / 15...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in Hague blue lacquer
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Bronze, Steel
AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves & cabinet in solid walnut and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in Hague blue lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Handmade June Shelving System, 180cmL - Ebonized Oak - by BACD studio
By BACD Studio
Located in Værløse, DK
Create a refined space to showcase books and decor with a modern free standing shelving system. Beautiful from all sides, this piece can ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Hardwood, Elm, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Elemen Shelving Solid Walnut Shelving System, Custom Arrangements Possible
By KLN Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elemen shelving system features solid walnut shelving with a gem cut edge, joined with single vertical members to produce a striking and dynamic visual statement. The concealed w...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Italian modern travertine and smoked glass consolle, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern travertine and smoked glass consolle, 1970s
Console with lateral structures in travertine, with any grooves present on all sides, with two shelves of different depths ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Travertine
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Nude by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Resin
Modern Glass Cube Display Case
Located in New York, NY
Modern Glass Cube Display Case with 12 shelves and chrome connectors, apparently unmarked. Provenance: Eva Bouzard-Hui artist estate.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass
Contemporary Crafted Bookcase, shelves, shelf sideboard wood Medulum Cabinet
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint.
The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle.
The library is shipped semi assembled.
Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce Canaletto finito con vernice trasparente.
La testa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system.
Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category
2010s North American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
USM Haller Media O2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L.
With two drop down doors and one cable cut out. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome, Steel
USM Haller Side Table O118
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L.
With one drop down door. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Opinion Ciatti Henry II Triangular Corner Wall Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Mid-century Elm Blond Shelf by Roland Haeusler, Maison Regain
Located in Brussels , BE
Modern Elm Blond Shelf, by Roland Haeusler, Maison Regain in elm 1980s
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Elm
BIJOU, modern sculptural shelf, object of art, collectible quiet luxury
Located in Hoboken, NJ
BIJOU- "an object, especially of a residence, small and elegant."
Sculptural shelf with organic curves. Showcase a favorite object, create an accent in a space. As functional as it i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Sapele Wood
Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj
Located in Geneve, CH
Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj
Dimensions: D 62 x W 40 x H 100 cm
Materials: Metal
Unique Piece
This collection aims to offer completely unique pieces. Each is di...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
SW-1 Stainless Wall Shelf
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
NAME : SW-1 Stainless Wallshelf
DESIGNER : GUVS
DATE OF MANUFACTURE : 2023
MATERIAL : stainless steel
CONDITION : NEW
SIZE : 140cm(W) x 8cm(D) x 30cm(H)
Made of stainless steel a...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb and flow of life. Through its ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Modern shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern shelves for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage shelves created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, wall decorations, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern shelves made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves, popular names associated with this style include Marcel Wanders, Moooi, Souda, and Casey Lurie. 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 shelves differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11 and tops out at $88,764 while the average work can sell for $3,091.
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