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Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Gray
Mid-Century Brass Etagere by DIA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern bookcase with sliding base. Brass frame and glass shelving. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern Chrome Smoked Glass Étagère Bookcase Shelf Baughman Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern chrome and smoked glass étagère bookcase shelf. Item features sleek chrome metal frame, five smoked glass shelves, clean modernist lines, circa 1970s. Meas...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Rare Mathieu Matégot Metal Black and White Bookstand for Artimeta, 1956
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Mathieu Matégot bookstand for Artimeta, 1956. White perforated trays, to use for magazines or books, also useable as a side table. In original vin...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Verner Panton Pantonova Wire Cube for Fritz Hansen (One Left)
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare Mid-Century Verner Panton Pantonova wire cube for Fritz Hansen. They can be used as a stool or side table. Multiples can be configured into a ...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Mid Century Modern Arch Top Russell Woodard Spun Fiberglass Etagere
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your space with this wonderful vintage mid century modern Etagere by Russell Woodard. The spun fiberglass construction in an off-white finish and 5 spacious shelves make it a stylish and functional bookshelf. Vintage mid century modern Etagere by Russell Woodard Spun fiberglass construction in an off-white finish 5 spacious shelves for displaying...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Fiberglass

Restored Midcentury Nesting Tables, Chrome-Plated Steel, Glass, Czechia, 1960s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored Midcentury Nesting Tables. Material: Chrome-Plated Steel, Opaxit Glass Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1960-1969 The chrome parts have been cleaned and professiona...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Congresso by Lips Vago White Metal Bookcase 60s
Located in Padova, IT
The 'Congress' shelf is a modest and strong bookcase made out of steel sheets. The model is freestanding making this a versatile piece.  The metal sheets bend upwards at the end of...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Glass & Chrome Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary appeal of our vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern bookcase, adroitly handcrafted from clear glass and steel with an appealing chrome finish, and pr...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Office Furniture by Bbpr for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Office furniture by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960.  
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Impressive Mid-Century Modern Italian Étagère
Located in London, GB
A superb vintage modern chrome étagère/ bookcase with smoked glass shelves. It can be split into two smaller ones.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Milo Baughman Style Chrome Étagère
Located in Redding, CT
Milo Baughman style chrome étagère with four glass shelves. Great for display piece for living room, office or bedroom. Domed open top makes...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Brass, Lucite and Glass Étagère with Five Shelves
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury brass, Lucite and glass corner étagère. Five shelves We have four corner étagères available (Three with measurements 31.61in x 31.61in and one 39.37 x 39.37). One of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

George Nelson & Associates CSS 'Comprehensive Storage System'
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson & Associates CSS (Comprehensive Storage System) System is comprised of Four uprights, with Fourteen metal adjustable shelve...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Design Institute of America 'DIA' Chrome and Glass Étagères
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful together, banking a fireplace, and entry or use as a room divider. A pair of high style chrome and glass étagère by DIA.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Chrome and Glass Étagère by Design Institute of America
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful shelf unit/étagère by Design Institute America (DIA). Timeless design style.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Polished Chrome-Plated Steel and Smoked Glass Etagere / Display Shelf
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century Modern etagere / display shelf with a geometric form polished chrome plated steel frame and square smoked glass shelves.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Design Institute of America Chrome and Glass Étagère
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful shelf unit/étagère by Design Institute America (DIA). Timeless design style.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Kim Moltzer Brushed Steel Brass Green Lucite Shelving Units
Located in Paris, IDF
Simple lines point to this beautiful pair of shelving vitrines units mid-century roots. Designed by Kim Moltzer with a beautiful sculptural geometric form, each unit features a silky brushed steel frame supporting nine display shelves with a central display niche...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

Willy Guhl Concrete Cube Side Table, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic modular fiber cement cube by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl, for Eternit. Amazing scale and patina to each cube. Great as a side table, for holding b...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Cement, Concrete

Black and White Metal Book Shelves Attrb. to Tomado, Holland, 1950's
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Free standing book shelves in black and white metal. Some rust spots on the white shelves.
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Vintage Modern Stainless Steel and Glass Bookshelf Etagere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Italian étagère features a solid construction of brushed stainless steel with five glass shelves for display. Striking modern bookshelf for home or shop storage and display. Ple...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage bookshelf with Carrara Marble shelves, Italy 1960s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage bookshelf with Carrara Marble shelves, Italy 1960s. A rare 1960s Mid-Century Modern style book shelf with Carrara marble shelves and black i...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass, Iron

"Loico" Bookcase by Angelo Mangiarotti in Carrara e Marquina Marble Skipper 1970
Located in Rovereta, SM
Rare bookcase by Angelo Mangiarotti in white Carrara e Marquita marble. The bookcase is part of the "Loico collection" for the Skipper factory Italy 1970s . The entire bookcase is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Marble

MCM - Modern Chrome & Glass Etagere Mirrored Back Style Design Institute America
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage mid-century modern to modern chrome and glass etagere with optional full-length mirror for the back in the style of DIA or Design Institute of America. Beautiful con...
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Milo Baughman Style Chrome Etegere Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
Milo Baughman style modern tall bookcase with chrome structure and glass inserts for the six shelves, unmarked. Dimensions 79" H x 32" W x 12" D...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Frederick Weinberg Iron White Enamel Shelves Etagere Wall Unit
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Frederick Weinberg Iron White Enamel Shelves Etagere Wall Unit
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Vintage Lucite & Brass Etagere in the style of Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Vintage Lucite & Brass Etagere, inspired by the iconic designs of Charles Hollis Jones. This stunning piece of furniture is a true statement piece, perfect for adding a touch of vintage glamour to any space. Crafted from high-quality acrylic, the clear shelves...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

1970s Mid-Century Modern Metal and Smoked Glass Italian Bookcase
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A five-shelf bookcase made in Italy in the 1970s, steel and smoked glass are in good conditions, the simplicity and essentiality of its line makes it very elegant. The Bookcase is a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Pair of DIA Chrome and Glass Étagères
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful together, banking a fireplace, and entry or use as a room divider. A pair of high style chrome and glass étagère by DIA.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Brass Etagere Painted White
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern brass etagere shelving fixture painted white. Tall and sturdy this shelving unit is as functional as it is bright and cheerful. Perfect for an office, kitchen or l...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome and Glass Shelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Cityscape with Chrome Holders and Glass Shelf. In original condition with visible wear, consistent with age and use. New glass plate. Another available in brass.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Shelving System in Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' shelving system, lacquered steel, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Pilastro Tjerk Reijenga Bookcase / Wall System 1960
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Pilastro Tjerk Reijenga bookcase / wall system 1960 Very intact and large wall system / bookcase, designed by Tjerk Rijenga for Pilastro Holland, around 1960. This is a very nice large and very complete wall unit with some rare pieces. This unit contains a punched magazine...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Chrome and Glass Etagere Bookcase Shelving
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century etagere bookcase shelf rendered in chrome plated steel frame with glass shelves, Finished on all sides, can float in middle of room. c 1970s.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Design Institute America Chrome and Glass Étagère
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful shelf unit/étagère by Design Institute America (DIA). Timeless design style.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Italian Four-Tier Gilt Metal Faux Bamboo Étagère with Glasses
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian gilt metal faux bamboo étagère with glass shelves. 1970s This étagère can come as a set together wit...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Steel and Brass Etagere in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A brushed steel etagere having three heavy rods to each frame bound with brass details at each section with sweeping arched brass flat bar design to the upper structure. Four glass s...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

Chrome and Glass Étagère or Shelving or Display
Located in Kansas City, MO
Chrome and glass étagère. Striking asymmetrical design. Very good to excellent condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Wim Rietveld Free-Standing Bookcase in Black and White Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wim Rietveld, bookcase, black and white coated metal, The Netherlands, 1960. This free-standing bookcase was originally designed by Wim Rietveld for the famous Dutch high-end department store De Bijenkorf in 1960. The clear structure of the shelf creates a striking design. All horizontal shelves are colored black and in contrast with the white vertical elements. Due to the expressive unsymmetric arrangement of the two white sides and the white element functioning as a backwall, the black shelves...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

French Mid-century Birdcage Étagère Hanging Shelf, Brass, Steel, Aged Iron
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French Mid-century Birdcage Étagère Hanging Shelf, Brass, Steel. Can hang from the ceiling or sit on the floor. Gorgeous, substantial piece. Meas...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Iron, Brass

Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Chrome and Glass A-Symmetrical Étagère
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic 1970s design in the style of Milo Baughman. This étagère features a chrome-plated steel construction with inlayed glass shelving. In beautiful well cared for condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Enzo Mari Bookshelf in Solid Mirror Polished Aluminum
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A bookshelf from Enzo Mari's iconic "Autoprogettazione" series of furniture. This example was created in a solid aluminum and hand mirror-polished. An incredible object in person. Im...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century style DIA Étagère in Chrome and Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern style étagère featuring sculpted chrome body with glass inserts, designed by Design Institute of America. Ideal for any living room or store display this shelving unit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

1970s Pair of Pencil Reed Bamboo Etagere Shelves
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage pencil reed étagère shelves in the manner of Gabriella Crespi. A unique design with straight lines against gently formed curves at rounded ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Reed, Glass

Carrara Marble Bookcase with Glass Shelves, 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Low bookcase crafted of white Carrara marble with three transparent glass shelves. This vintage shelving made in the 1970s is close to the work of Ale...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Carrara Marble

Console or Book Holder in Travertine and Glass, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Console or book holder in travertine and glass, circa 1970, 3 glass trays.  
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Modern Shagreen Bookcase, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern bookcase with a polished nickel frame and covered in a light shagreen embossed leather wrap, with floating shelves and a large bottom drawer also with polished nickel hardwa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Gerrit Rietveld inspired Room Divider or Bookcase by Wim Rietveld, Dutch, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Dutch minimalistic metal room divider or bookcase by Wim Rietveld, the son of Gerrtit Rietveld. It was designed for “De Bijenkorf” the Netherlands in the 1960s and was inspired by a ...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Vintage Midcentury Étagère Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in Pasadena, TX
Attributed to Maison Jansen Midcentury brass and chrome étagère in the manner of Maison Jansen Five shelves with chrome and brass faux bamboo details. Measures: 6ft.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Tall Chrome and Glass Vitrine
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage bookcase with three glass sides and chrome paneling. Top cabinets lights and mirrored bottom. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Pagoda Etagere
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern e´tage`re bookcase in the style of Milo Baughman. Brass plated frame supports five removable clear glass shelves.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Vintage Modern Circular Étagère Display Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Mid-Century Modern shelf unit includes smoked glass shelves in an x-style frame, ideal for shop or home display. Vintage display étagère...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Obelisk Étagères in Polished Aluminum
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of unusual obelisk shaped étagères. Polished aluminum (aluminuim), with glass shelves and hard plastic capped feet.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

Crome and Smoked Bronze Glass Shelves Tall Display Étagère Vitrine
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern chrome ad glass tower shape étagère vitrine.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Usm Haller Storage Unit White, Grey and Stainless Steel Designed by Fritz Haller
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This design has been in production sinds it was created in 1969 by Swiss architect Fritz Haller. The units can be refigured (and extended) at any point. This storage unit has four o...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Unique Midcentury Freestanding Brass Étagère
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant Hollywood Regency style design with a mirrored back, brass frame, and four large glass shelves. This beautiful vintage modern bookcase makes the perfect eye-catching addit...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Circular Étagère
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern étagère features a heavy circular chrome frame with three round glass shelves. Stylish design with four supports running all the way from bottom to top ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Chrome Shop Display Etagere after Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern Milo Baughman bookshelf featuring chrome body with smoked glass shelving. Ideal mid-century etagere for shop display or home storage....
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Mid-century Modern bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern bookcases 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 bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include Børge Mogensen, Paul McCobb, Cassina, and Franco Albini. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $64 and tops out at $136,000 while the average work can sell for $3,257.

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