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Modern Bookends

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Customizable Items Only
Manks Magazine rack
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Our Architecture and Cabinetry furniture collection is a collaboration with the most renowned Mexican architects. In this collection we explore, through signature cabinetmaking, the ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Bookends

Materials

Steel

Medium & Large, Bookends Cuyo, Onix Stone & Silver Alpaca
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
4" x 4" x 7.8" 4.8 "x 4.8" x 9.5" Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Pair of 2 Small Fin Bronze Bookends by Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of 2 Small Fin Bronze Bookends by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 8 x D 6 x H 13 cm Materials: Bronze Fin bookends come in two sizes. Each are made, finished and polished in Sydney,...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary 21st Century Capo Metal Bookend by Spinzi, Italian Modern Design
Located in Milano, IT
Capo is a collection of bookends designed by Milano based studio Spinzi, and artisanally handcrafted from metal in Italy. They are small in size yet big in personality: rather then s...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Handmade Brass Bookend "Hippos" in Ancient Greek Forms by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend, model "Hippos" in oxidized brass. This bookend is part of the "Althaea Series", a collection of four bookends in brass Inspired by ancient Greek symbols...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 Large Fin Bronze Bookends by Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Large Fin Bronze Bookends by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 12 x D 8 x H 16 cm Materials: Bronze Fin bookends come in two sizes...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Blue Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Salta Medium Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Salta Round Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Blue Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Salta Large Square Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images that led us to design our largest collection. It has pure and contemporary lines, a classic vision but with modern design. The chosen materials are alpaca and onyx...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Salta Round Blue Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Salta Round Brown Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Brass Fold Bookend by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Fold Bookend by Stem Design Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 18 cm. Materials: Brass. Finish: Tumbled and burnished. Weight: 2,5 kg. Finished and assembled by hand in India. Please contact us. Fold bookend captures the recurring act of turning a page as a sculptural object. The simplified form reveals a bold character by allowing the material to take over the conversation. Designed to be used as a bookend, the interior surface reveals itself mysteriously as you move around it. Fold layers on as a metaphor in space beautifying its timeless nature. Sand cast in solid brass, each piece is finished working closely with master artisans. The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime. Stem is a contemporary Indian...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Salta Medium Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Limes Bookends by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Limes bookends by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 25 x 25 x H 41 cm Materials: Fiberglass Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our child...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookends

Materials

Fiberglass

Devon Bookend by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Devon bookend by Madheke Dimensions: D 11.2 x W 16.2 x H 21.2 cm. Materials: Leather, wood, metal. Encased leather booked with internal compartments. Reflecting the finest in craftsmanship, innovation and heritage, Madheke creates tailored and crafted goods that reflect understated classic elegance, blending tradition and contemporary - vintage and modern...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Bookends

Materials

Metal

Talon Bookend with Leather Body by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Talon bookend with leather body by Madheke Dimensions: W 6.2 D 15.2 H 21 cm Materials: Leather, Carbon Fibre, Wood The TALON bookend offers both functionality and style and is a...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Mould for Bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Mould for bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir Unique piece Materials: MDF Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 10 cm Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in London. Theodor...
Category

2010s English Modern Bookends

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Materials Matter Set by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Materials matter set by Theodora Alfredsdottir Unique set Materials: Granite Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 18 cm Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in London. The...
Category

2010s English Modern Bookends

Materials

Granite, Marble

John Lee Bookend by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
John Lee Bookend by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 13 cm D 11.5 cm H 18 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furnitur...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

John Lee 2 Bookend with Onyx base by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
John Lee Bookend by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 13 cm D 11.5 cm H 18 cm, base D 14cm. Materials: polished bronze, onyx base. JOHNLEE BOOKEND / DOOR HOLDER...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

John Lee Bookend by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
John Lee bookend by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 13 cm D 11.5 cm H 18 cm Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Bookends

Materials

Bronze

John Lee 2 Bookend with Onyx Base by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
John Lee bookend by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 13 cm D 11.5 cm H 18 cm. Materials: dark bronze, onyx base. Johnlee Bookend / door holder / sculpture. ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Salta Round Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Keres" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend model "Keres" in oxidized brass with a curved contour. This bookend is part of the "Proetus Series", a collection of six bookends in brass. Variatio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beatiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, moustly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Salta Large Square Black Onyx Stone & Brass Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

SALTA Medium Square Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Salta Medium Square Black Onyx Stone & Brass Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Salta Medium Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beatiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, moustly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Salta Large Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Salta Large Square Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 1" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handcrafted geometric bookend "Tropi 1" in solid marble. Each bookend is composed of two geometric pieces of solid marble fused togeth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Fallon Marble Bookends
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Fallon Marble Bookend...
Category

2010s American Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 2" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handcrafted geometric bookend "Tropi 2" in solid marble. Each bookend is composed of two geometric pieces of solid marble fused togeth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Bookends

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Aether" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend model "Aether" in oxidized brass with a curved contour. This bookend is part of the "Proetus Series", a collection of six bookends in brass. Variati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Hybris" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend model "Hybris" in oxidized brass with a curved contour. This bookend is part of the "Proetus Series", a collection of six bookends in brass. Variati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Modern bookends for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern bookends for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookends created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern bookends made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and South America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookends, popular names associated with this style include AIREDELSUR, ANAKTAE, Opinion Ciatti, and Stefano Giovannoni. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for bookends differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $130 and tops out at $11,095 while the average work can sell for $691.

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