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Barrister Bookcase Desk

Antique Arts & Crafts Three Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase; Desk & Paw Feet; c1910
Antique Arts & Crafts Three Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase; Desk & Paw Feet; c1910

Antique Arts & Crafts Three Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase; Desk & Paw Feet; c1910

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Arts and Crafts barrister bookcase secretary offers quarter sawn oak construction with

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Antique Macey Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Lawyers Secretary Desk Bookcase
Antique Macey Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Lawyers Secretary Desk Bookcase

Antique Macey Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Lawyers Secretary Desk Bookcase

By Macey Co.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Macey Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Lawyers 3 Stack Secretary Desk Bookcase. Very rare

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Globe Wernicke Mission Oak Barrister Bookcase Secretary with Leaded Glass c1920
Globe Wernicke Mission Oak Barrister Bookcase Secretary with Leaded Glass c1920

Globe Wernicke Mission Oak Barrister Bookcase Secretary with Leaded Glass c1920

$2,360Sale Price|20% Off

H 66.75 in W 34 in D 12.25 in

Globe Wernicke Mission Oak Barrister Bookcase Secretary with Leaded Glass c1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

Wernicke Mission Oak 5 Stack Barrister Bookcase With Desk & Leaded Glass Signed C1920 Measures - 66.75"h x

Category

Early 20th Century Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Barrister's Stacking Desk Shelf Cabinet
Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Barrister's Stacking Desk Shelf Cabinet

Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Barrister's Stacking Desk Shelf Cabinet

$2,800Sale Price|20% Off

H 25 in W 34 in D 11 in

Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Barrister's Stacking Desk Shelf Cabinet

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Quarter Sawn oak English barrister's desk cabinet with sliding panels, 1890-1900. Panels slide

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Globe Wernicke Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk
Globe Wernicke Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk

Globe Wernicke Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk

By Globe Wernicke

Located in South Bend, IN

barrister bookcase In the manner of Globe Wernicke USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 33.63"W x 14.25"D x 43.13"H

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Recent Sales

Antique Arts & Crafts Carved Oak Lawyer's Barrister's Bookcase Desk Leaded Glass
Antique Arts & Crafts Carved Oak Lawyer's Barrister's Bookcase Desk Leaded Glass

Antique Arts & Crafts Carved Oak Lawyer's Barrister's Bookcase Desk Leaded Glass

Located in Portland, OR

A good antique American Arts & Crafts oak lawyer's/barrister's bookcase/desk, circa 1900. The six

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase with Drop Front Secretary Desk
Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase with Drop Front Secretary Desk

Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase with Drop Front Secretary Desk

By Globe Wernicke

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts stacking barrister bookcase with fall front secretary desk By

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase With Drop Front Desk
Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase With Drop Front Desk

Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase With Drop Front Desk

By Globe Wernicke

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts stacking barrister bookcase with fall front secretary desk By

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Arts & Crafts Oak Barrister Bookcase with Drop Front Secretary Desk, circa 1920s
Arts & Crafts Oak Barrister Bookcase with Drop Front Secretary Desk, circa 1920s

Arts & Crafts Oak Barrister Bookcase with Drop Front Secretary Desk, circa 1920s

By Globe Wernicke

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts barrister bookcase with fall front secretary desk Recently

Category

Vintage 1920s American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Arts & Crafts Globe Wernicke 4 Stack Barrister Bookcase w. Desk Interior, c 1910
Arts & Crafts Globe Wernicke 4 Stack Barrister Bookcase w. Desk Interior, c 1910

Arts & Crafts Globe Wernicke 4 Stack Barrister Bookcase w. Desk Interior, c 1910

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Arts & Crafts Mission Barrister stacking bookcase by Globe Wernicke offers oak

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Arts & Crafts Globe Wernicke Oak Barrister Bookcase with Desk, c1910
Arts & Crafts Globe Wernicke Oak Barrister Bookcase with Desk, c1910

Arts & Crafts Globe Wernicke Oak Barrister Bookcase with Desk, c1910

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Arts and Crafts secretary by Globe Wernicke offers oak construction with barrister cases

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Various Arts & Crafts Items as Outlined Below
Various Arts & Crafts Items as Outlined Below

Various Arts & Crafts Items as Outlined Below

Located in Big Flats, NY

75993 - Six Stack Barrister Bookcase 75965 - Six Stack Barrister Bookcase 75570 - Five Stack

Category

Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Macey Barrister Bookcase, Desk, Oak, circa 1910 Arts & Crafts
Macey Barrister Bookcase, Desk, Oak, circa 1910 Arts & Crafts

Macey Barrister Bookcase, Desk, Oak, circa 1910 Arts & Crafts

By Macey Co.

Located in Seattle, WA

Macey Barrister bookcase, desk, oak, circa 1910 Arts & Crafts.

Category

Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

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A large Arts and Crafts copper fire insert with a lion in a shield crest
A large Arts and Crafts copper fire insert with a lion in a shield crest

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Located in London, GB

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Italian Vanity or Console Table in Bamboo and Rattan by Vivai del Sud, 1970s
Italian Vanity or Console Table in Bamboo and Rattan by Vivai del Sud, 1970s

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By Franco Albini

Located in Roma, IT

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Arts and Crafts Copper and Brass Candleholder Jugendstil Aesthetic Movement
Arts and Crafts Copper and Brass Candleholder Jugendstil Aesthetic Movement

Arts and Crafts Copper and Brass Candleholder Jugendstil Aesthetic Movement

Located in Sharon, CT

Arts and Crafts copper and brass candleholder Jugendstil Aesthetic Movement. Candleholder retains original patinated surface.

Category

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Vintage Art Deco  Rotating Bookshelf Bibliotheque
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Vintage Art Deco Rotating Bookshelf Bibliotheque

$1,200

H 59 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in

Vintage Art Deco Rotating Bookshelf Bibliotheque

By Paul Frankl

Located in New York, NY

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A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST Rattan SIDE TABLE by Janine ABRAHAM, France 1950
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST Rattan SIDE TABLE by Janine ABRAHAM, France 1950

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST Rattan SIDE TABLE by Janine ABRAHAM, France 1950

By Janine Abraham and Dirk Jan Rol

Located in PARIS, FR

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Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts copper mirror with a cloudy blue Ruskin Jewel
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Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts copper mirror with a cloudy blue Ruskin Jewel

By Liberty & Co.

Located in London, GB

Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts copper mirror with a cloudy blue Ruskin Jewel to the top and Glasgow rose decoration to each side.

Category

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Elegant Pair of Arts & Crafts Copper Sconces Signed Roycroft
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By Roycroft

Located in Los Angeles, CA

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Category

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A good quality well executed Arts and Crafts copper wall plate #2
A good quality well executed Arts and Crafts copper wall plate #2

A good quality well executed Arts and Crafts copper wall plate #2

Located in London, GB

A good quality well executed Arts and Crafts copper wall plate with floral decoration around the centre.

Category

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Mid-Century Modern wide teak tall bookcase (2) cabinet doors Made in Denmark
Mid-Century Modern wide teak tall bookcase (2) cabinet doors Made in Denmark

Mid-Century Modern wide teak tall bookcase (2) cabinet doors Made in Denmark

Located in Brooklyn, NY

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16 Piece Suite Of Westminster Outdoor Garden Furniture - 8 Seat Dining set + 3 S
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A French Oak Cabinet a deux corps, C. 1880.
A French Oak Cabinet a deux corps, C. 1880.

A French Oak Cabinet a deux corps, C. 1880.

$3,950

H 102.5 in W 60 in D 17 in

A French Oak Cabinet a deux corps, C. 1880.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

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Mid-Century Vintage American Walnut Bookcase
Mid-Century Vintage American Walnut Bookcase

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Antique Globe Wernicke Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase Signed C1920
Antique Globe Wernicke Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase Signed C1920

Antique Globe Wernicke Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase Signed C1920

$1,960Sale Price|20% Off

H 56 in W 34.25 in D 12.25 in

Antique Globe Wernicke Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase Signed C1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Globe Wernicke Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase C1920 Measures - 56"H x 34.25"W x 12.25"D Th...

Category

20th Century Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

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Barrister Bookcase Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the barrister bookcase desk you’re looking for. Each barrister bookcase desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, glass and brass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer barrister bookcase desk, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right barrister bookcase desk, those designed in Arts and Crafts, industrial and Art Deco styles are of considerable interest. A well-made barrister bookcase desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Globe Wernicke are consistently popular.

How Much is a Barrister Bookcase Desk?

Prices for a barrister bookcase desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,800 and can go as high as $3,018, while the average can fetch as much as $2,688.

A Close Look at Arts And Crafts Furniture

Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.

The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.

American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.

Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.

Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Bookcases for You

Whether you proudly shelve your books in regal mahogany or behind glass cabinet doors, an antique bookcase — or perhaps more than one — is essential to creating a cozy nook for any book lover.

As long as curious people have collected stories, we have needed a place to stow them away and preserve them. When auction houses and book dealers proliferated by the late 17th century, the bibliophile was born. And, of course, as with any treasured decorative objects or collectibles, a book lover’s volumes were suddenly worthy of a luxurious display — enter the bookcase.

Americans of means during the 19th century took to amassing art as well as rare books, and bookcases of the era — rife with hand-carved decorative accents and architectural motifs — were ideal for displaying their handsome leather-bound wares.

Although our favorite titles may change over the years, the functionality and beauty of their home within our home is timeless. Even those who don’t covet the perfect home library can benefit from an attractive display case, as bookcases can easily double as charming étagères

Contemporary and customizable options make it easier for you to find the perfect bookcase for your style and stacks. If you don’t wish to fill your storage piece so that your collection is snug within its confines, incorporate extra space to allow for additional displays and decorative objects. And by introducing a striking dark wood Art Deco bookcase or low-profile mid-century modern design by Paul McCobb into your living room, your signed first editions won’t be the only items making a statement. 

Find barrister bookcases, Globe Wernicke bookcases, bookcases with doors and other vintage and antique bookcases on 1stDibs now.

Questions About Barrister Bookcase Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Barrister bookcases are made up of several distinct book shelf units which combine together to form the cabinet. This can be beneficial when moving, as the books can remain within the shelves and each shelf can move separately.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The term barrister bookcase means a piece of storage furniture primarily used during the 17th and 18th centuries. Also called lawyer's bookcases, the furnishings featured wood construction and glass-paneled doors. At the time the bookcases were most popular, books were expensive luxury goods. The glass doors helped to protect them from light and dust. Shop a collection of barrister bookcases on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A few companies made barrister bookcases, including the F. E. Hale Manufacturing Company, Globe Wernicke, Grand Rapids Furniture Company, Gunn Furniture Company and the John Danner Company. Barrister bookcases are bookcases with solid backs and removable shelving units that get stacked inside. Doors that open outward and slide away under the shelf enclose each unit. On 1stDibs, shop a range of barrister bookcases.