What is a barrister bookcase?

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.

What does barrister bookcase mean?

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.

What companies made barrister bookcases?

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.

Stacking Barrister Bookcase

Midcentury Barrister

Antique Stacking Cabinet

Globe Wernicke Mahogany

Barrister Cabinets

Macey Barrister

Barrister Case

Materials

Steel

$1,750

$3,492Sale Price / set|20% Off

1920s Antique Globe Wernicke Stacking Barrister's Bookcase, USA

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Reading, Berkshire

An attractive American Globe-Wernicke stacking barrister’s bookcase dating from the 1920s, constructed in richly toned wood and arranged as four glazed stacking sections above a rais...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Grand Rapids Mission Arts & Crafts Mahogany 3 Stack Barrister Bookcase c1920

$1,160Sale Price|20% Off

Grand Rapids Mission Arts & Crafts Mahogany 3 Stack Barrister Bookcase c1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

This antique three-stack barrister bookcase embodies the distinctive aesthetic of the American Arts & Crafts and Mission movements, dating to approximately 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Maple Three Stack Barrister Bookcase by Hale

$1,395

$3,500

Antique Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase with Original Brass Hardware

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Freehold, NJ

This antique barrister bookcase by Gunn Bookcase Company features hardwood construction, mahogany veneer with original finish, four removable boxes with glass door and brass hardware...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

$1,495

Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Stacking Barrister Bookcase by Maceys C1910 6 Sections

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous mission oak arts and crafts bookcase with 6 sections, 4 storage with sliding glass doors along with a top and bottom. Divided lights glass doors all slide nicely. Paneled ...

Category

Vintage 1910s North American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

C1920 Oak 4 Section Barrister Stacking Bookcase with a Drawer By Globe Wernicke

$1,395 / set

$3,200

$2,295

$1,950

Antique Barrister Bookcase Sections Set With Metal Strap by Globe Wernicke

By Globe Wernicke, Globe Wernicke

Located in Saddle River, NJ

Bring a touch of timeless scholarly elegance and historic craftsmanship to your study, library, or living room with this stunning antique stack of barrister bookcase sections by the ...

Category

Vintage 1930s Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Globe Wernicke 6 Tier Stacking Oak Bookcase

$3,390

Globe Wernicke 6 Tier Stacking Oak Bookcase

Located in Haywards Heath England, GB

Globe Wernicke 6 tier oak barristers stacking bookcase Label to each section Circa 1910 Width 87cm.

Category

Vintage 1910s English Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Early 20th Century Double-Wide Mission Mahogany Barrister Case

$5,600 / item

Early 20th Century Double-Wide Mission Mahogany Barrister Case

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This double wide four stack mahogany barrister bookcase cabinet is attributed to The Globe Wernicke Co. circa the 1920s.

Category

Early 20th Century American Mission Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood

Recent Sales

Art Metal Co Stacking Barrister's Bookcase

Unavailable

H 62.5 in W 32.75 in D 13 in

Art Metal Co Stacking Barrister's Bookcase

By Art Metal Co.

Located in Cookeville, TN

We are offering a Mid-Century Modern Barrister's bookcase for your collection! Three shelves with glass enclosed in metal framed doors slide up for easy access to the inside. The Art...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Macey Three Stack Barrister Bookcase

Sold

Sold

H 49 in W 34.25 in D 12 in

Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany 3-Stack Barrister Bookcase c1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany 3 Stack Barrister Bookcase C1920 Measures - 49" x 34 1/8" x 12" 1 - 9" x 31 1/2" x 10" 2 - 10 1/2" x 31 1/2" x 10" 3 - 12 1/2" x 31 1/2" x 10" This a...

Category

Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

H 59.5 in W 34.25 in D 12.5 in

Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Four Stack Barrister Bookcase C1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

This antique Arts & Crafts oak barrister bookcase features four stacking sections, typical of the early 20th century design.

Category

20th Century Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Five-Stack Barrister Bookcase, Circa 1890s

Sold

H 79.5 in W 34.5 in D 11.5 in

Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Five-Stack Barrister Bookcase, Circa 1890s

By Globe Wernicke

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts five-stack barrister bookcase By Globe Wernicke USA, Late 19th Century Mahogany, with glass front doors and brass hardware.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Pair of Arts & Crafts Gunn Mahogany Four Stack Barrister Bookcases, c1920

Sold

$1,400

H 50 in W 35 in D 11 in

SUPERB OAK Barrister Bookcase by GLOBE WERNICKE - Stickley era W2794 SALE

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Shamokin Dam, PA

SUPERB "Mission" Barrister Bookcase by GLOBE WERNICKE the ONLY mission style barrister they maid - SALE EXTRA 20% SALE NOW WE HAVE NOW A PAIR TO TIS BOOKCASE, WE...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Original Globe Wernicke Bookcase

$4,113 / set

$2,900

H 73.5 in W 34.5 in D 11 in

Globe-Wernicke Antique Mahogany Barrister Bookcase

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Antique barrister bookcase by the Globe-Wernicke Company. Manufactured in Cincinnati in the early part of the 20th century, these "sectional" bookcases were popular for their storage...

Category

Early 20th Century American Mission Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Mahogany

Antique Globe Wernicke 3 Stack Lawyer's Bookcase c.1910-1930

$1,695

$4,904

H 77.56 in W 49.41 in D 18.12 in

Antique Quality 19th Century William IV Mahogany Bookcase

Located in Suffolk, GB

Quality antique William IV mahogany bookcase having a shaped cornice to the upper section over a pair of mahogany doors with brass grilles opening to reveal an interior with three ad...

Category

Antique 19th Century English William IV Bookcases

Materials

Materials

Wrought Iron

Early 1900s Globe Wernicke Four Tier Glazed Sectional Barrister's Bookcase

$2,976Sale Price / set|25% Off

H 59.85 in W 34.26 in D 13.39 in

Early 1900s Globe Wernicke Four Tier Glazed Sectional Barrister's Bookcase

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Globe Wernicke four tier glazed sectional / modular / barrister's bookcase 1920s Comes apart in sections for easy transportation. Height 152cm Width 87cm Depth at top and base plin...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Bookcase by the Lifetime Furniture Co C1912

$1,695

H 60.75 in W 39.75 in D 13.5 in

Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Bookcase by the Lifetime Furniture Co C1912

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Mission Oak Arts and Crafts bookcase by the Lifetime furniture Co. C1912. In fair condition with normal wear and some staining on the top shelf. See pics. Original wavy glass on both...

Category

Vintage 1910s North American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

$3,313

H 38.59 in W 22.84 in D 18.9 in

ARTS & CRAFTS Highback Chair designed by Chris Wegerif, c1900

By Chris Wegerif

Located in Berlin, Berlin

Highback Chair designed by Chris Wegerif, made of an Oak structure with woven cane seating and back (The back has been restored at a later date). An Art and Crafts chair from aroun...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Dutch Arts and Crafts Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Oak

19th Century Victorian English Bookcase, Antique Painted Wood

$5,800

H 103 in W 41.75 in D 16.88 in

19th Century Victorian English Bookcase, Antique Painted Wood

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This tall and narrow English bookcase is perfect for a slender wall needing storage and display. The recently painted bright yellow exterior and French blue interior are a striking c...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century English Rustic Gothic Style Oak Console ~ Sofa Table

$1,650

H 30.5 in W 41 in D 17 in

18th Century English Rustic Gothic Style Oak Console ~ Sofa Table

Located in Dallas, TX

An 18th century English console table hand carved from solid oak, with a rich, time-softened patina and wonderful depth of surface. The narrow form gives the piece an elegant presenc...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Gothic Console Tables

Materials

Oak

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Stacking Barrister Bookcase For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the stacking barrister bookcase you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, glass and oak, every stacking barrister bookcase was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect stacking barrister bookcase — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A stacking barrister bookcase made by Arts and Crafts designers — as well as those associated with Industrial — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made stacking barrister bookcase over the years, but those crafted by Globe Wernicke, Shaw Walker and GUNN are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Stacking Barrister Bookcase?

Prices for a stacking barrister bookcase start at $600 and top out at $8,995 with the average selling for $1,755.

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 Stacking Barrister Bookcase

What is a barrister bookcase?
1 Answer
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.
What does barrister bookcase mean?
1 Answer
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.
What companies made barrister bookcases?
1 Answer
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.

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