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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Contemporary Handmade Brass Bookend "Hippos" in Ancient Greek Forms by Anaktae
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
Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #4 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
Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #2 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
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Blue 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
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Salta Round 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
Aurora Pink Portal Glass Bookends, ANDREW HUGHES
Located in New York, NY
The Portal design is a simple exercise in optics and color. The Aurora color and reflective light are diffused by a surface etching on the top third of the interior of each bookend. ...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookends
Materials
Blown Glass
Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #3 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
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
Spinzi Capo Sculptural Bookend in Metal, Tiffany Blue, Collectible Decorative
By Spinzi
Located in Milano, IT
Capo is a sculptural bookend designed by Spinzi Milano and hand-crafted from metal. Finished in shades of bright colors, it is designed to add an unexpected and playful touch of vibr...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Metal, Steel
Spinzi Capo Sculptural Bookend in Metal, Bright Pink, Collectible Decorative
By Spinzi
Located in Milano, IT
Capo is a sculptural bookend designed by Spinzi Milano and hand-crafted from metal. Finished in shades of bright colors, it is designed to add an unexpected and playful touch of vibr...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Metal, Steel
Medium & Large, Bookends Cuyo, Onix Stone & Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
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
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
By Spinzi
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
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
SAND bookend in Sandstone & Limestone by Meble Matters
Located in Singapore, SG
Crafted with care and precision, this bookend showcases the unique characteristics of sandstone and limestone. The captivating grains and textures of these natural stones create a st...
Category
2010s Singaporean Modern Bookends
Materials
Limestone, Sandstone
Fornasetti Bookends Strumenti Musicali Gold on Red Metal
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
There can be wit and unpredictability in the order: this was Fornasetti idea when he designed his first bookends. The mix of images with their functional design make these accessorie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Metal
Salta Medium Bordeaux 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
Set of 2 Large Fin Bronze Bookends by Henry Wilson
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 Medium Alpaca Silver & Blue 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
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Salta Large Square Bordeaux 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 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
Salta Round Blue 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
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Bordeaux 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
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Bordeaux 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
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Salta Round Brown 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
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
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
Stone, Onyx, Metal
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 “Dilàdiquà” Bookcases from “Trasformatio” Collection, Italy 1940/2022
Located in Napoli, IT
Pair of “DilàDiquà” bookcases from the “Trasformatio” collection,
design Michele Iodice exclusively for the Esprit Nouveau gallery.
Limited Edition 2/2
Movable structures in b...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Iron
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
Fornasetti Bookends Gift Tema E Variazioni N. 171 Black/White/Red Metal
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
There can be wit and unpredictability in the order: this was Fornasetti idea when he designed his first bookends. The mix of images with their functional design make these accessorie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookends
Materials
Metal
Substantial Pair of Etched Crystal Globe Bookends by Nicole Miller
Located in San Diego, CA
Substantial pair of etched crystal globe bookends by Nicole Miller, circa 2000s. The bookends are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure 9.5"W x 4.75"D x ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookends
Materials
Crystal
Yellow Marble & Crystal Bookend Contemporary Design Joaquín Moll in Stock Meddel
By Meddel, Joaquín Moll
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Yellow Marble & Crystal Bookend Contemporary Design Joaquín Moll in Stock Meddel is available for sale from stock on 1stDibs.
A unique and distinguished piece that combines the beau...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Bookends
Materials
Stone, Crystal, Marble
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
Oxid Slate Bookend Natural Stone Contemporary Design by Joaquín Moll In Stock
By Meddel, Joaquín Moll
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Oxid slate bookend natural stone Contemporary Design by Joaquín Moll In Stock.
This rust slate stone bookend is a unique way to present and store all your books. A piece created fro...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Bookends
Materials
Stone, Slate
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stone, Limestone
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
Stone, Limestone
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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