Gritti Bookcase

Andrea Branzi was born in Florence in 1938 and studied as an architect at the Florence School of Architecture, receiving a degree in 1966.

From 1964–74, Branzi was a founding member of the experimental group Archizoom, which envisioned the No-Stop-City among other projects. A key member of the Studio Alchimia, founded in 1976, he went on to associate with the Memphis Group in the 1980s. Branzi lived and worked in Milan, and until 2009 he was a professor and chairman of the School of Interior Design at the Polytechnic University of Milan.

Branzi distinguished himself as a co-founder of Domus Academy, the first international post-graduate school for design. He was a three-time recipient of the Compasso d’Oro, honored for individual or group effort in 1979, 1987 and 1995. Branzi’s work was featured in the Venice Biennale and Milan Triennale, and he curated the design exhibitions of the latter. He was widely published and was frequently invited to lecture internationally. 

In 2008, Branzi was named an Honorary Royal Designer in the United Kingdom and he received an honorary degree from La Sapienza in Rome. That same year, his work was featured in an installation at the Fondation Cartier, Paris. 

Branzi’s works are held in the permanent collections of the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; and the Museum of Modern Art, New York, among others.

Find vintage Andrea Branzi floor lamps, table lamps, armchairs and other furniture on 1stDibs. 

(Biography provided by Goldwood)

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 objects, 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 antique 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. Whether you proudly shelve your books in regal mahogany or behind glass cabinet doors, a bookcase — or perhaps more than one — is essential to creating a cozy nook for any book lover. 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 your dream bookcase on 1stDibs now.