1940s Antique Bookcase

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1940s antique bookcase you’re looking for. A 1940s antique bookcase — often made from wood, mahogany and metal — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 1940s antique bookcase — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A 1940s antique bookcase is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Art Deco, Georgian and Industrial styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made 1940s antique bookcase over the years, but those crafted by Globe Wernicke are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

Prices for a 1940s antique bookcase can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,175 and can go as high as $9,445, while the average can fetch as much as $2,755.

Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.