Wall bookcase by Gunnar Nielsen for Tibergaard, Denmark, 1960s
By Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Located in Vigevano, PV
Teak floor-to-ceiling bookcase by Gunnar Nielsen for Tibergaard, Denmark, 1960s.
Brass
William Watting for Fristho Two-Bay Teak Modular Wall Unit
By William Watting, Fristho
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attributed to William Watting for Fristho, this two-bay modular wall unit is built around three cylindrical teak upright posts that run floor to ceiling, supporting four adjustable s...
Metal, Brass
Unavailable
H 121.66 in W 85.24 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Modern Italian Floor to Ceiling teak Wall Unit - 1960s
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid Century Modern Italian Floor to Ceiling teak Wall Unit - 1960s adjustable height...
Metal
Italian Modern Teak Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
A modern bookcase, manufactured in Italy in 1950s. The mounting of this bookshelf is with pressure between the floor and the ceiling . This modular shelving’s system allows you to ...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 88.59 in W 17.72 in D 5.91 in
Mid Century Teak Tension Pole Floor to Ceiling Triple Lights Lamp Germany, 1950s
By Vereinigte Werkstätten München
Located in Antwerp, BE
A Mid-Century set of two German Vereinigte Werkstätten München 1950's tension pole lamp. This is an adjustable three-way lamp, featuring solid teak stand with adjustable three linen ...
Brass
Italian Teak and Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Bookshelf / modular wall unit Italian design, 1950s Teak, iron, brass Completely restored The height is adjustable, just specify your ceiling height for a confirmation T...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 118.12 in W 64.97 in D 15.75 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase Adjustable Elements Teak Veneer Metal Vintage, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase with elements adjustable in height, teak veneer, metal.
Metal
Sold
H 132.68 in W 59.85 in D 8.67 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase Teak Veneered Shelves Vintage, Italy, 1950s-1960s
Located in Milano, IT
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase with extendable uprights and adjustable shelves in height.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 132.68 in W 88.19 in D 8.67 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase Teak Veneered Shelves Vintage, Italy, 1950s-1960s
Located in Milano, IT
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase with extendable uprights and adjustable shelves in height.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 125.99 in W 40.95 in D 16.93 in
1950s Italian Floor to Ceiling Bookshelf in Teak Iron and Brass
Located in Rome, IT
The mounting of this wall unit is with pressure between the floor and the ceiling. It is made up of a flap cabinet that can be used also as a small writing desk or a bar.
Brass, Iron
Italian Modern Teak and Iron Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
The mounting of this bookshelf is with pressure between the floor and the ceiling. This wall unit is made up of a cabinet with sliding doors, a chest of drawers with three drawers a...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 118.12 in W 100.01 in D 14.18 in
Italian Modern Teak and Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Modular bookshelf , manufactured in Italy during the 1950s Made of teak, black enameled iron and brass Full of details, All the hardware and brass parts have been specially made for...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 116.15 in W 89.38 in D 18.51 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase Teak Veneer Mahogany Brass Vintage, Italy, 1950s-1960s
Located in Milano, IT
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase, teak veneer, mahogany uprights, decorated drawers, brass.
Brass
Sold
H 120.08 in W 65.36 in D 16.54 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase Mahogany Teak Veneer Glass Brass Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
A unique floor-to-ceiling bookcase, conceived as a room divider.
Brass
Sold
H 118.12 in W 100.01 in D 14.18 in
Italian Modern Teak Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit Bookshelf Library, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Bookshelf/wall unit Italian design 1950s Teak, iron, brass Completely restored The height is adjustable, just specify your ceiling height for a confirmation The wooden su...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 118.12 in W 66.93 in D 14.18 in
1950s Italian Modern Teak Iron and Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit
Located in Rome, IT
Modular bookshelf , manufactured in Italy during the 1950s Made of teak, black enameled iron and brass Full of details, All the hardware and brass parts have been specially made...
Brass, Iron
1950s Italian Single Pole Floor to Ceiling Bookshelf
Located in Rome, IT
A modern wall unit, manufactured in Italy during the 1950s. The mounting of this bookshelf is with pressure between the floor and the ceiling. This rare piece is composed of a sing...
Iron
Sold
H 121.26 in W 135.83 in D 13.78 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase by Franco Albini Vintage Design, Italy, 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Modular floor-to-ceiling bookcase designed by Franco Albini (1905-1977) for Poggi.
Teak
Italian Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit in Teak for Danielle
Located in Rome, IT
This listing is dedicated to the customer Danielle, The photos, which are for reference only, indicate the exact model of bookcase for sale. This has not yet been photographed be...
Brass, Iron
Midcentury Italian Floor to Ceiling Teak Modular Wall Unit
Located in Rome, IT
Crafted from the finest teak wood, this modular bookcase boasts a unique system of pressure mounting between the floor and ceiling, ensuring stability and adaptability to any space.
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 114.97 in W 55.12 in D 12.6 in
Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcase Adjustable Elements Teak Veneer Metal Vintage, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase with elements adjustable in height, teak veneer, metal uprights with brass tips.
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 122.05 in W 100.01 in D 14.18 in
Italian Teak and Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit -Bookshelf, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Bookshelf/wall unit Italian design 1950s Teak, iron, brass Completely restored The height is adjustable, just specify your ceiling height for a confirmation The wooden su...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 118.12 in W 100.01 in D 14.18 in
Italian Modern Teak Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit Bookshelf for Steve
Located in Rome, IT
Bookshelf/wall unit Italian design 1950s Teak, iron, brass The item is Completely restored The composition for Steve includes: 4 iron , brass and wood poles 2 cabinets with two dr...
Brass, Iron
Leonardo Fiori for ISA Floor to Ceiling Teak Bookcase, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Firenze, IT
Modular floor-to-ceiling bookcase designed by Luciano Fiori for ISA.
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 153.55 in W 51.19 in D 17.72 in
Leonardo Fiori for ISA Floor to Ceiling Teak Bookcase, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Firenze, IT
Modular floor-to-ceiling bookcase designed by Luciano Fiori for ISA.
Brass, Steel
$1,462
H 78.94 in W 32.88 in D 9.65 in
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating bookcase desi...
Teak
$4,388
H 78.75 in W 96.07 in D 14.97 in
Danish Modern 3-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 3-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 3 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating ...
Teak
Danish Modern Modular 4 Bay Wall Unit by Lyby Mobler, c. 1960
By Lyby Mobler
Located in Deland, FL
A rare find and truly an exceptional design is this wall unit by Lyby Mobler. The unit is assembled with steel poles, accented with teak caps. The unit can be adjusted to several con...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookshelf, bar, media cabinet, vitrine, or wall cabinet. It consists...
Glass, Wood, Teak
$3,800
H 67.5 in W 94.25 in D 17.5 in
Mid Century Swedish Shelf by Bertil Fridhagen for Bodafors 1950/60's
By Bodafors, Bertil Fridhagen
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century Scandinavian Modern wall unit, shelves, desk, designed by Bertil Fridhagen for Bodafors, circa 1950/60's. This piece features three bays, one with a glass fronted slidin...
Glass, Teak
$4,482
H 96.86 in W 65.36 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This is a rare American ‘Omni’ modular freestanding shelving system in walnut and aluminium, designed by George Nelson in 1952 and manufactured by Herman Miller, America. The shelvi...
Metal, Aluminum
$8,900 / set
H 70.25 in W 94.75 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Teak Wall Unit Bookcase by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Pair, 1960s
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Detroit, MI
This matching pair of Danish modern teak bookcase cabinets was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and produced by Løvig Dansk Designs in Denmark circa 1960. These expertly-crafted two-p...
Brass
Wall Unit "Extenso" by Amma Torino, 1960s
By Amma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Fully modular wall unit comprising 4 black uprights, 7 planks, 1 small pedestal with 2 sliding doors, 1 large pedestal with 4 drawers and two sliding doors and 1 large pedestal with ...
Brass
$1,223
H 51.19 in W 49.22 in D 17.72 in
Design Midcentury Bookcase by František Mezulánik, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
By Frantisek Mezulanik
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare mid-century bookcase, made by František Mezulánik for UP Závody, in the 1960's. Made of wood. Cleaned, applied reviving oil, shows signs of age, overall in great shape.
Wood
1960s Wall shelf, Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of six shelves, a writing surface, one container with two do...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern wall unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s.
Wood
$3,600
H 37 in W 35.5 in D 10.75 in
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Bookcase for Soborg, Denmark 1960's
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Design duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Danish company Soborg Mobelfabrik, circa 1960's. The cabinet shaped bookcase is modular and the shelves can be arranged any way y...
Teak
On Hold|$2,447
H 59.06 in W 68.9 in D 12.6 in
Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall Unit / Modular Shelving System, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Danish mid-century wall unit designed by Kai Kristiansen and made in the 1960s. The unit is crafted from teak and consists of wall-mounted metal rails, adjustable 6 open shelves, and...
Metal
$4,400
H 70.25 in W 47.375 in D 18.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bookcase Cabinet by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Detroit, MI
This Danish modern teak bookcase cabinet was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and produced by Løvig Dansk Designs in Denmark circa 1960. The cabinet design and craftsmanship exemplify...
Brass
Danish Freestanding Teak Shelf System 1950s with Cabinets
Located in Handewitt, DE
Danish freestanding and conical shaped teak shelf system with cabinets, bar, shelfes and double chest of drawers. With nice teak color and in original condition in good quality. Denm...
Teak
Baker Finn Juhl Modular Wall Unit, circa 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Baker Finn Juhl adjustable modular wall unit, circa 1950s. Can be positioned vertically or horizontal. Each unit measures 32" wide x 11" deep x 14" tall. Shelf measures 10" x 54". Me...
Wood
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to incl...
Teak
$19,231
H 118.12 in W 102.37 in D 16.54 in
Franco Albini Attributed Mid-Century Bookcase, circa 1950, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Very very beautiful italian mid-century wood modular bookunit. This Franco Albini design attributed, model LB7 bookcase, have a good combination of containers and shelves, with ideal...
Metal
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
IMid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, 1960s
Wood
$7,576
H 66.93 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
Vintage Cado Bookshelf, Teak Wood, Danish Design, 1960s, Modular Unit
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage bookshelf "cado" is an original design item realized by Paul Cadovius, Denmark, in 1960s. Wall unit in teak structure. Five different cabintes with drawers, sliding doors a...
Wood
$5,594
H 104.34 in W 37.01 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid Century Wall unit Bookcase with Cabinet Bar, 1960s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish wall unit bookcase in a pleasant walnut wood with warm tones, great executive quality and attention to detail, the refined line of the lateral black metal supports made up of...
Brass, Iron
$18,500
H 95.5 in W 129.25 in D 18.5 in
Comprehensive Storage System by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production 'CSS" - Comprehensive Storage System designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1959. This system is in excellent condition with the early Herman Miller lable cons...
Aluminum
Swedish Sky / Floor Bookcase in Teak and Brass, 1960s
By Ignazio Gardella, Ico Parisi
Located in taranto, IT
Large Swedish sky / earth bookcase, original from the 1960s, made of teak with three compartments on four metal uprights, floor and ceiling fixing with brass elements, shelves and do...
Brass
$95,550Sale Price|25% Off
H 114.18 in W 157.49 in D 17.72 in
Bookshelf by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Wood, Hardwood
Danish Freestanding Teak Shelf System 1950s with Cabinets
Located in Handewitt, DE
Danish freestanding and conical shaped teak shelf system with cabinets, bar, shelfes and double chest of drawers. With nice teak color and in original condition in good quality. Denm...
Teak
$8,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 71 in W 83 in D 16 in
Vintage Danish Imported Mid Century Standalone bookcase shelf with Writing Desk
Located in Seattle, WA
The statement piece that will define your space yet also help to contain, organize and curate your stuff use the drop-down surface on either side as a workstation or a bar plentifu...
Teak
Ceramic Circular Chandelier by Olivia Cognet
By Olivia Cognet
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Ceramic chandelier made by the french artist Olivia Cognet, made of different sized cylinders put together covered with decorative elements. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2016, Fre...
Ceramic
$69,259 / item
H 112 in W 170 in D 13.77 in
"Tecnica Library" Modular Shelving Bookcase by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'
By Jaime Tresserra, Dessie Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tecnica Library" is a shelving bookcase unit, designed by Jaume Tresserra and manufactured by Dessie', featuring six modules with antique nickel finished metallic parts provided wit...
Metal, Nickel
$7,098
H 78.35 in W 127.96 in D 14.77 in
Rare Poul Cadovius Royal system bookcase with extendable table, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in LYON, FR
Poul Cadovius Royal System 60's Bookcase Modular Danish bookcase from the 1960s in teak by Poul Cadovius Royal System. A classic example of a Danish wall unit. Version with teak upr...
Teak
$29,900
H 129.93 in W 75.99 in D 16.93 in
Rare Italian Mid-Century Bookcase with "Spear" Uprights by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Exceptional and rare Italian modular wall unit by Vittorio Dassi and produced by Dassi Mobili Moderni during the 1950s, representing one of the most iconic examples of high Italian M...
Brass
Poul Cadovius 4 "Royal System" Columns in Teak, 1970
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Royal System" wall unit by Poul Cadovius, in teak, with seven shelves and four boxes. The set is supported by a hanging system of wooden brackets. Dimensions of the elements : ...
Teak
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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.