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Shallow Bookcases

American Craftsman Solid Palisander Paperback Bookcase Vintage Mid-Century Wider
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Another wider paperback bookcase, shallow for entryways. Well made, beautiful active grain, this
Category

Vintage 1950s American Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Recent Sales

Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase
Located in Manchester, GB
A stunning Victorian estate bureau bookcase of very shallow proportions. We feel that this piece
Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase
Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase
H 80.75 in W 40.5 in D 16 in
Unusually Designed Biedermeier Bookcase
Located in Long Island City, NY
Unusually crowned shallow Biedermeier armoire (bookcase) in matching mahogany on pine and oak. Two
Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Bookcases

Materials

Oak

English George III Mahogany Gillows Glazed Bookcase, circa 1780
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This is a superb English George III mahogany satinwood and purple heart glazed bookcase of
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Purpleheart, Satinwood

19th Century Louis XVI French Marquetry Mahogany Shallow Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Louis XVI French marquetry shallow bookcase is the ideal choice for narrow passageways
Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Arched Top Shallow Bookcases, circa 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Magnificent and extremely rare pair of French bookcases, circa 1780-1800. Our opinion is that these
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Bookcases

Materials

Cherry

Italian, Veneto, Neoclassical Walnut One Drawer Shallow Bookcase, circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a shallow rectangular top with rounded front corners atop a conforming case housing one
Category

Antique 1840s Italian Neoclassical Bookcases

Pair Of Painted Cornish Bookcases
Located in New York, NY
PAIR OF LATE 18TH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY VERY SHALLOW BOOKCASES
Category

Antique 19th Century British Bookcases

Pair  Of Painted Cornish Bookcases
Pair  Of Painted Cornish Bookcases
H 108.25 in W 42 in D 16.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Bookcases
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Herman Miller shallow bookcase. Hard to find case pieces that are only 12" deep! We still have the
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
, circa 1860. This uniquely shallow bookcase has an upper portion, outfitted with three adjustable shelves
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Bookcases

Materials

Brass

French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque
French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque
H 93 in W 53.63 in D 13 in
19th Century English Rosewood Bookcase, Very Shallow
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English rosewood bookcase is a grand execution of the tailored look, and features a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Paint Decorated Gilded Venetian Style Open Bookcases of Shallow Depth
By Shaw Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of Shaw Furniture Company bookcases with open top sections and closed bases
Category

Vintage 1970s American Regency Revival Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

French Louis Philippe Walnut Tall and Shallow 2-Door Bookcase, ca. 1835
Located in Atlanta, GA
With a graduated crown atop a case with rounded corners, two doors with ebonized escutcheons and antique locks, the interior fitted with adjustable shelving, half of which included i...
Category

Antique 1830s French Louis Philippe Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

French Louis Philippe Mahogany Shallow Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The case veneered in mahogany, having two glass paned doors with brass spacers and original lock, the shelves adjustable and having a hidden drawer at the base. Three depths: 13” at ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Painted Bookcase
Located in Wiscasset, ME
An early American painted bookcase of nice shallow dimension. From either New York or New England
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Paint

Stacking Oak Globe Wernicke Barristers Bookcase or Filing Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
bookcase, all of the sections have a copper side banding, the bookcase has a shallow cornice at the top, 2
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
four dummy frieze drawers with ring handles set above four shallow, concave bookcases enclosed behind
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
four dummy frieze drawers with ring handles set above four shallow, concave bookcases enclosed behind
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Italian Lacquer and Giltwood Bookcases or Display Cabinets
Located in Firenze, IT
An imposing pair of 19th century lacquer display cabinets or bookcases of shallow depth with finely
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Cabinets

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI painted shallow bookcase features a nice, low profile as well as a shallow
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI painted shallow bookcase features a nice, low profile as well as a shallow
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Baker Federal Sheraton Style Shallow Depth China Cabinet Breakfront Bookcase
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful Baker mahogany breakfront. This two piece breakfront measures 87 tall x 69 wide x 13 inches deep so it can be used in many places that deeper breakfronts can't be...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Federal Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Satinwood Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long, shallow, Mid-Century Modern, satinwood, bookcase cabinet features shelves and closed middle
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Satinwood

Danish Modern Rosewood Modular Bookcase Wall System by Henning Kjaernulf
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in New York, NY
Handsome and uber functional 1960's Rosewood Modular Wall System. Features shallow bookcases
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

French Antique Walnut Display Cabinet/ Bookcase, Shallow Depth, circa 1870
Located in Houston, TX
Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! A handsome antique French Henri II style walnut bibliothèq...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

English Pine Bookcase
Located in Southampton, NY
A Shallow Pine Bookcase both Functional and Handsome.
Category

Early 20th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Pine

English Pine Bookcase
English Pine Bookcase
H 53.5 in W 23.75 in D 6.5 in
Georgian Mahogany Bookcase
Located in London, GB
bookcase's shallow depth means that it can fit in almost any room and its rectangular glazing bars make ideal
Category

Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Mahogany Bookcase
Georgian Mahogany Bookcase
H 91.5 in W 51.5 in D 9.75 in
Louis Philippe Tall, Shallow Walnut Display Cabinet/Bibliotheque, France c. 1870
Located in Houston, TX
within and may be repainted if desired. Please also note the amazing shallow depth of this bibliotheque
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

George III Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Altrincham, Cheshire
George III mahogany secretaire bookcase, shallow flared cornice above a figured frieze, glazed
Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Bookcases

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases
Located in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Regency pair of mahogany open bookcases of shallow proportions, the rectangular tops with a
Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases
Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases
H 44.25 in W 25.5 in D 8 in
Neoclassical Painted and Gilded Bookcase from Italy c.1900
Located in Houston, TX
An imposing Neoclassical display cabinet/bookcase of shallow depth retaining its original painted
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bookcases

Materials

Giltwood

A neoclassical display cabinet?bookcase from Italy c.1900
Located in Houston, TX
An imposing neoclassical display cabinet/bookcase of shallow depth retaining its original painted
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Bookcases

Antique English George III Mahogany Bookcase Display Cabinet, circa 1780
Located in Houston, TX
extraordinarily shallow depth of this English bookcase is most rare. All 12 drawers retain their original oval
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Slender and tall carved oak bibliotheque from France c. 1890
Located in Houston, TX
handsome symmetry of the cabinet. Please note as well the unusual shallow depth of the bookcase that
Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Shallow Antique English Painted Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase, circa 1875
Located in Houston, TX
and see them first! Shallow antique English painted oak display cabinet bookcase circa 1875. The
Category

Antique 1870s English Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of handsome shallow pine shelves or bookcases, each with stepped shelves and two dovetailed
Category

Antique 1860s American Country Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century
Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century
H 54.25 in W 43 in D 13.5 in

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Danish Modern Bookcase Shelving System "Cubex" by Poul Cadovius, Pinewood, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Odense, DK
Scandinavian Modern Pinewood Bookcase Shelving System by Poul Cadovius. Made in the 1960s by "CADO", Denmark. Made in Pitch Pine and assembled with black plastic brackets. The shelv...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Wing chair solid wood collection, flexibility, modern aesthetics, comfort and softness are the keywords for this collection. The concept is inspired by the B-52 plane design, thi...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Stools

Materials

Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Leather

Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
Minimal Style, Solid Wood Stool, Textiles or Leather Seatings, Caning Backboard
$720 Sale Price / item
20% Off
H 38.59 in W 17.72 in D 20.08 in
Brutalist Black Leather & Cast Solid Brass Lounge Chair by Egg Designs
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
Egg Designs’ Primal lounge chair (2024) is a bold, Brutalist-inspired statement piece, crafted with sculptural presence and rich material contrast. Upholstered in black leather, the ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

1900s American Craftsman Architecture Carved Tiered Book Shelf Art Craft Display
By (after) Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Warm, rustic and understated ornate carved walnut plywood paneled shelf. Made for light duty; paperback or small collectibles. Missing a small triangular piece on top back left panel...
Category

Early 20th Century American Eastlake Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

1930s Antique French Art Deco Armchair, Signed Peri Alonz
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Frames seems strong structurally but cosmetically needs to be restored. So this one needs to go directly to your Restorer. W 20 x D 21.5 x H 31 in Seat H 18 in / Arm H 26 7/8 in
Category

Vintage 1930s French Chairs

Materials

Wood

Hepplewhite Chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown by Knoll, 1984
By Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Hepplewhite chair designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott brown. Signed with the Knoll label. In near perfect condition.
Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Directional Nº 314 Wingback Lounge Chair Ottoman Mid-Century Retro
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Re-Upholstery required. Not usable as-is. Please ship directly to your Upholsterer, reupholstery is necessary. No woodworking necessary, the framing on chair and ottoman are tight, ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Birch

1960s Teak Book Case System Børge Mogensen FDB Mobler Danish Mid-Century Modern
By FDB Møbler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Eight foot wide, set of four modular teak bookcases, two with plinth bases, and two without. All shelves are adjustable, four adjustable shelves per unit. Some ink stamp marked on b...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Rare 1980s Nicos Zographos TA.20G Square Brass/Bronze + Glass Table Small 20²
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare Nicos Zographos Model TA.20G Square Table. Brass or Bronze solid base, a heavy table. Lots of scratches to the top surface of the original glass from previous use, but no chips...
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Teak Sideboard No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen Special small sideboard with four drawers No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Akel Kjersgaard, 1950s. It is cabinet no. 394 by Kai Kristiansen and made by Aksel...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Monumental Brass Artillery Shell Trench Art Table Lamps w/ Woven Wire Shades
Located in Hyattsville, MD
These are the highest quality trench art lamps I have ever seen. A beautifully crafted pair of slightly non-matching Trench Art Tables Lamps. Slightly different sizes in artillery d...
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Monumental Brass Artillery Shell Trench Art Table Lamps w/ Woven Wire Shades
Monumental Brass Artillery Shell Trench Art Table Lamps w/ Woven Wire Shades
$3,051 Sale Price
35% Off
H 35 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Repose End Table in Oiled Walnut by Zac Feltoon for Wooda
By Zac Feltoon, Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
Repose by Zac Feltoon for Wooda represents the balance between work and life. It was designed to conceal its function as a work surface until needed in a home or office environment. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Walnut

1960s Martz Marshall Studios Ceramic Tile Walnut Floor Lamp Cabin Modern Rustic
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern floor lamp. Solid turned walnut base, shaft, finial. Inlaid tan Martz ceramic tiles to top of base. Fully Functional, takes Normal sized US screw-in ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Nazaré Daybed
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
NAZARÉ DAYBED, designed in 2024. The Nazaré Daybed is crafted from solid walnut and has a removable cushion. The legs have a hand-carved detailed wave texture giving the piece it's ...
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2010s Portuguese Modern Daybeds

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Walnut

Nazaré Daybed
Nazaré Daybed
$6,528 / item
H 16.15 in W 76.78 in D 30.71 in
Limited Edition Charlotte Perriand Tokyo Dormeuse by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Discover the beauty of the Charlotte Perriand Tokyo Dormeuse, a limited edition chaise longue crafted by Cassina. Originally designed in 1940 for a Japanese client, this piece is a t...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues

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Bamboo

Limited Edition Charlotte Perriand Tokyo Dormeuse by Cassina
Limited Edition Charlotte Perriand Tokyo Dormeuse by Cassina
$19,826 Sale Price / item
20% Off
H 22.84 in W 35.44 in D 87.8 in
Spectacular Restored 8 Drawer Commode by Michael Taylor for Baker, circa 1960
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent chest is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. Matc...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

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Shallow Bookcases For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of shallow bookcases available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and oak, all shallow bookcases available were constructed with great care. We have 91 antique and vintage shallow bookcases in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. Shallow bookcases have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Victorian, Mid-Century Modern and Regency shallow bookcases are consistently popular styles. Large shallow bookcases can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller shallow bookcases available at 1stDibs — each spanning 12.25 inches in width — may make for a better choice. Shallow bookcases have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by George Nelson, Baker Furniture Company and Gunni Omann are consistently popular.

How Much are Shallow Bookcases?

Shallow bookcases can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,746, while the lowest priced sells for $695 and the highest can go for as much as $107,570.

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 Shallow Bookcases
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    An ideal bookcase depth is usually between 10 and 12 inches. Shelf spacing can range from 7 to 15 inches for bookshelves, with 8 to 12 inches being the most typical. Because compact bookcases are designed for lesser volumes and libraries, they will be shallower. A small bookcase's depth is usually around 6 inches. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique and vintage bookcases.

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