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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
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
Travertine 'Slo' Book Ends by Christophe Delcourt, Collection Particulière
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of 'SLO' book ends in 'Travertine' by French designer Christophe Delcourt.
Renown designer and interior decorator Delcourt celebrates his passion for noble materials, by infusi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bookends
Materials
Travertine
Salta Round Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
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
Pair of Uniquely Designed Stained Glass and Brass Bookends, Un-matching
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of stained glass and brass bookends, good quality.
Stunning in design, optics and color.
Perfect for displaying your favorite books on any shelf, dresser, table or countert...
Category
20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Brass
Rainbow Nesting Sculpture, Contemporary Colored Concrete Piece by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rainbow nesting sculpture made in colored concrete in 4 separate pieces. Each piece is casted in high quality pastina cement by skilled craftsmen from Italy. The sculpture could be u...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Concrete
Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #6 Bookend
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ombres de Chats by Angelo Barcella are poetic objects, delicate table sculptures. Shadows of curious, busy, sore, angry or bored cats, instants which are made eternal when transforme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Steel
Pair of 1920s Brass Figurative Bookends with White Onyx Base
Located in Austin, TX
This pair of vintage brass and white onyx bookends dates to the 1920s and are clearly inspired by Rodin's 'The Thinker.' From time to time, similar bookends will surface, but differi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Secondo Fuoco Contemporary Bookends in Bronze
By TIPSTUDIO
Located in Florence, IT
Secondo Fuoco is an investigation into bronze, a reflection on the multiple souls of matter: its mineral origin, re-obtained by smelting processes and it...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Bronze
Lee Rosen Ceramic/Pottery, Pair Bookends for Design Technics, Fused Glass Glaze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice pair of bookends designed by Lee Rosen, with an amazing fused glass glaze like broken glass surface very popular and used for many designers of the period, in America and Europe...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Bookends
Materials
Ceramic
Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Keres" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
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
Apollineo Bookend 2 in Leccese Stone and Hand-Painted Ceramic
By TIPSTUDIO
Located in Florence, IT
The Apollineo collection mergs classical and contemporary elements to define a unique aesthetic inspired by Mediterranean architecture and vibes. Sun-blessed pure volumes, shapes mar...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Limestone, Stone
Pair of Scandinavian Modernist Polished Brass Rectilinear Bookends by Skultana
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of Scandinavian modernist bookends were realized by the esteemed Swedish maker Skultana during the latter half of the 20th century. They offer dynamic rectilinear ...
Category
20th Century Swedish Modern Bookends
Materials
Brass
Esther Fuhrman Abstract Bronze Stairway Scupture '20th C.'
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible piece by Esther Fuhrman (American, b. 1939). This beautiful abstract modern bronze sculpture of a stairway leading to a gold-tone element pie...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Bookends
Materials
Bronze
Apollineo Candle Stand in Leccese Stone and Hand-Painted Ceramic
By TIPSTUDIO
Located in Florence, IT
The Apollineo collection mergs classical and contemporary elements to define a unique aesthetic inspired by Mediterranean architecture and v...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Limestone, Stone
Fuchsia Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fuchsia rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical eleg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Plastic
Velvet Dark Gold Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Velvet dark gold rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Velvet
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
Pair of Faux Marble Pop Art "Ear" Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of large faux marble surrealist pop art "ear" bookends, circa 1970s. They are in good vintage condition and each bookend measures: 3.125" W x 8.875" H x 6.5" D. Super fun editio...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Resin
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
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
Yellow Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Yellow rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical elega...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Plastic
Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
By AIREDELSUR
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
Norman Bleckner Brass Bull Bookends Pair Of Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
These pair of vintage polished Norman Bleckner brass bull bookends have the original label on the bottom. New black felt feet were replaced with the ol...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Bookends
Materials
Brass
Pair of Lucite Bookends
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pair of vintage Lucite bookends made with recycle acrylic bank window protection.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookends
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic, Lucite
Pair of Concrete Lions with Ball
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful and very heavy pair of Lions (37 Pounds ea>)in Black with a ball under foot. The pair are wonderful flanking a fireplace, outdoor garden area or perhaps in the den. They ...
Category
20th Century Modern Bookends
Materials
Concrete
Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 1" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
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
Fossiline Bookends Sculpture #4 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Ammonite Booksends sculpture is able to elegantly combine contemporary design with the authentic fossil shells that date back to millions of years ago. Design Center love the shape and texture of this ammonite fossil on stand...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Marble
Bronze Acrylic Magazine Holder by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960’s bronze acrylic “Box Line” magazine holder designed by renowned American designer Charles Hollis Jones.
Book not included.
Measurements: 17” w...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Bookends
Materials
Bronze
Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 2" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
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
Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #5 Bookend
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ombres de Chats by Angelo Barcella are poetic objects, delicate table sculptures. Shadows of curious, busy, sore, angry or bored cats, instants which are made eternal when transforme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Steel
Italian Murano Blue Art Glass Pear Fruit Decorative Objects or Bookends
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial set Italian Murano pear fruit and egg decorative art glass bookends or decorative objects with a controlled bubble design in th...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of Geometric Bookends in Lucite by Amparo Calderon Tapia for Cain Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning and beautiful pair of geometric bookends in polished Lucite designed by Amparo Calderon Tapia for Cain modern, the pieces have wonderful sh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookends
Materials
Lucite
REmix vol. 5 Bookend Tiger Lily
By Belén Moneo
Located in Barcelona, ES
A new edition to the REmix project (Vol.5) created by BD Barcelona Design with the aim of REcovering, REcycling and REusing obsolete material that accumulates in warehouses, giving i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Bookends
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Aether" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
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
Fossiline Bookends Sculpture #3 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
A scrupulous stylistic research has been conducted in the creation of a precious collection, in order to maintain intact shapes and the natural colors of these fashinating testimonia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Marble
Fossiline Bookends Sculpture #2 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
An authentic, aesthetic and decorative piece which looks its age and speaks of the prehistoric past. It would look great on any library shelf or on a side table, lit by a lamp, in yo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Marble
Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Hybris" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
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
Vintage Pair of Dolphins Bronze Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage pair of bronze dolphins bookends.
The dolphin figurines are displayed hovering a wave
Size: each 10" height x 3" x 5".
Weight: heavy: 5lbs. 8.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Bronze
Portal Clear Glass Bookends, ANDREW HUGHES
Located in New York, NY
The Portal design is a simple exercise in optics and color. The clear color and reflective light are diffused by a surface etching on the top third of the interior of each bookend. A...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookends
Materials
Blown Glass
Wrought Iron Walking Man and Shadow Bookends
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wrought iron walking man and shadow bookends, each one with fine hand forged detail. The books in the listing are for display only and are not included.
Category
20th Century European Modern Bookends
Materials
Wrought Iron
Modern Acrylic Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of clear acrylic bookends with Modern edge and jewel-like design, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. Each measure: 6" Height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Pair of Faux Marble Pop Art "Nose" Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of large faux marble surrealist pop art "nose" bookends, circa 1970s. They are in good vintage condition and each bookend measures: 4" W x 8.75" H x 6.5" D. Super fun edition to...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Resin
Pair of Rosewood and Inlaid Nickel "High Roller" Bookends
Located in Englewood, NJ
Super cool and large 21st century design sculptural carved rosewood and inlaid nickel wood "High Roller" dice bookends atop a nickel bases.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Bookends
Materials
Nickel
Amber Glass Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage glass half-moon bookends in dark amber color, set of two. By Blenko Glass Company.
Category
20th Century Modern Bookends
Materials
Glass
Italian Modern Sculpture Bookends in Black Stone Slate, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern sculpture bookends in black stone slate, 1980s
Set of three rectangular base sculptures in slate. The stone has an irregular s...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookends
Materials
Slate
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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