Modern Bookcases
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Modern
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, Maple, Extra Long, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 116" shelves and 16 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Danese Milano Gran Livorno Self Standing Black Metal Bookcase by Marco Ferreri
Located in Hicksville, NY
Black Gran Livorno self standing is a freestanding bookcase. The piece consists of two shelving units leaning against one another back-to-back and lends itself to be used not only as...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Danese Milano Sarmiento Large Bookcase in White Metal by Francisco Gomez Paz
Located in Hicksville, NY
Sarmiento brings together both technological and conceptual innovation into one wall-mounted bookcase with tilted shelves. Although the structure is minimal it provides a myriad of p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Lucite / Bamboo / Glass Etagere in the Style of Karl Springer
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted Etagere with clear Lucite posts straddled by hardened bamboo pieces woven to each corner making for nice detailed construction . Five glass shelves that include t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases
Materials
Bamboo, Glass, Lucite
Simply Modern Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern open bookcase with a lacquered interior, leather-wrapped drawers and our Cardamon finish frame and handles, with brushed brass f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Wood
"Zigzag" Black or White Painted Steel Low Bookcase by Konstantin Grcic, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zigzag" is a low bookcase, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure and shelves in steel finished with epoxy paint in white or black colors. Book...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 84" shelves and 6 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" shelves and 9 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, White, Modern Wood Wall Shelf or Bookcase
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price includes 5 84" long white shelves with 15 white brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, brack...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 6 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black, Modern, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 6 84" shelves and 18 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can ad...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, Maple, Extra Long, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 116" shelves and 12 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Elegant Tall Brass and White Laquer Etagere with 2 Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A sleek stylish modern tall etagere bookcase having a sexy mix of brass, white lacquer and 4 smoky glass shelves. There are two roomy drawers on the botto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH NYNY Bookcase with Lacquered Wood and Brass Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Distinctively asserting its modernity, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna has adopted its archetypes, bent-wood and woven cane, to design NYNY, a piece of furniture with a strong emotional dimen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Danese Milano Bincan Leggio Book Stand A5 in Black by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Bincan leggio is part of the Bincan collection, which was designed for the work place and can be adapted to any environment whether internal or external, public or private. The lecte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black, Extra long, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 116" shelves and 20 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Danese Milano Sarmiento Small Bookcase in White Metal by Francisco Gomez Paz
Located in Hicksville, NY
Sarmiento brings together both technological and conceptual innovation into one wall-mounted bookcase with tilted shelves. Although the structure is minimal it provides a myriad of p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf USA
Located in Chicago, IL
The contemporary modern Black Steel Ahn etagere is a study in positive and negative space. With its five different asymmetrical and organic surfaces, Ahn is a minimal sculpture in its own right, playing with balance and tension between the shelves while serving as an etagere, bookcase, or storage shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Amuneal's 2 Bay Collector's Brass Shelving Unit+Oxidized Oak Adjustable Shelves
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This two-bay version of Amuneal’s collector’s shelving unit features solid machined brass fittings and posts in a warm brass finish. The unit mounts to the floor and to the wall to s...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Amuneal's Collector's 1 Bay with Credenza
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This single bay version of Amuneal’s collector’s shelving unit features solid machined brass fittings and posts in a warm brass finish. The unit mou...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Thin Shelf Single in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Steel Inset Shelves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thin shelf single, blackened steel and stainless steel inset shelves is the newest addition to the Thin series, a collection exploring the potential of rigi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
"Zigzag" Mirror Finished Steel High Bookcase by Konstantin Grcic for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zigzag" is a high bookcase, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure and shelves in polished steel with mirror finish. Bookends in sheet metal st...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Danese Milano Gran Livorno White Wall Bookcase in Metal by Marco Ferreri
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Gran Livorno is a small, freestanding bookcase. It is the evolution of the Livorno bookcase, and maintains the same structural principals and minimal form. The piece is made of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Patinated Steel Étagère Shelving with Solid Walnut Drawn Faces and Concrete Base
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
The E-1 is a dynamic étagère constructed from Walnut wood with a flame treated and patinated steel exterior. Three compartments, two doors and one drawer, feature Walnut wood faces with abstract line drawing etched into the wood. All hardware is Blum push-to-open. The case rests on two cast-concrete...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Concrete, Steel
Tall 'Horizontale' Black Steel and Oak Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall 'Horizontale' black steel and oak shelving unit / bookcase by Design Frères.
Polished and sealed white oak shelves interspaced with black ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
"Zigzag" Bronze Painted Steel and Oak Veneered Low Bookcase by K. Grcic, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zigzag" is a low bookcase, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure in bronze painted steel and oak veneered shelves. Bookends in sheet metal ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
"ZigZag" Bronze Painted Steel and Walnut High Bookcase by K. Grcic, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"ZigZag" is a high bookcase, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure in bronze painted steel and Canaletto walnut veneered shelves. Bookends in s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Amorph Luxor Bookcase with Solid Walnut and Gold Finish
By Amorph Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern bookcase with walnut shelves and gold finish structure.
About Amorph:
Amorph is a design and manufacturing company based in Los Angeles, California. We take pride in hand cr...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Paint
Roxbury Bookcase in Wire-Brushed Cerused Wenge by Kelly Wearstler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
With its repetitive arches and monolithic scale, the Roxbury étagère celebrates a minimal, stylistic nod to classical architecture and form. This large shelving...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Ash
"ZigZag" Black or White Painted Steel High Bookcase by Konstantin Grcic, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"ZigZag" is a high bookcase, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure and shelves in steel finished with epoxy paint in white or black colors. Boo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Amorph Ziggurat Bookshelf solid wood, walnut and natural stained
By Amorph Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern bookshelf is made from solid ashwood.
Dimension: 66" W, 16" D, 36 H
Finish: Natural ash with semi glossy for structure American walnut with semi glossy shelves.
About Amorph...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
"Virgo" Black Anodized Aluminum Open Bookcase Designed by Xavier Lust for Driade
By Xavier Lust, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Virgo" is a black anodized aluminum open structure and shelves, designed by Xavier Lust and manufactured by Driade.
Indoor use only.
DIMENSIONS:
D. 11.8", W. 47.2", H. 78.7"
"Virgo" is an "under tension" structure which assumes the typological image of a bookcase but it actually leads us to think about concave and convex surfaces relation, as well as about the energy of a bow-string. The “composition of forces” is clearly expressed by the finally achieved equilibrium. So thanks to its sculptural form, Virgo can be used as a wall bookcase and, above all, can be placed in the middle of a room.
XAVIER LUST studied interior design at Institut Saint Luc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
21st Century Perflect Bookcase in Metal by Sam Baron (Central module)
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"A play of mirrors revealing new dimensions. Inspired by the middle age and renaissance gravures about the optical illusion and sense of depth, Perflect is a set of bookshelves...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
21st Century Perflect Bookcase in Metal by Sam Baron (Left or Right side module)
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"A play of mirrors revealing new dimensions. Inspired by the middle age and renaissance gravures about the optical illusion and sense of depth, Perflect is a set of bookshelves...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Amuneal's Collector's 2 Bay Shelving Unit
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This two bay version of Amuneal’s collector’s shelving unit features solid machined brass fittings and posts in a warm brass finish. The unit mounts...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Pair of Cabinets Designed by Dominique, Andre Domin & Marcel Genevriere
Located in Stamford, CT
An exceptional pair of cabinets designed by Andre Domin and Marcel Genecriere, better known as Dominique...
Category
1950s European Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Ash
21st Century Psyco Bookcase in Brushed Bronze finishing by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
An imposing, sculptural element with an oriental-inspired design, whose structure is the result of a symmetrical game between two identical pieces. Original and scenographic, it play...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Three Tier Metal Orbital Shelving Unit with Golden Leaf Hand Finish, in Stock
By Redsoul
Located in Seattle, WA
With its elegant lines and bright golden leaf hand-finish, the oversized orb is an eye-catching display piece perfect for showcasing personal treasures or retail wares. It looks as l...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
21st Century Klee Bookcase in Wood and Polished Brass by Etro Home Interiors
By Etro
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A versatile and superb mix of elements in perfect Etro Home Interiors style: the structure in patinated bronzed metal with details in bordeaux finishing, the shelves in smoked eucaly...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
21st Century Fitzroy Bookcase in Travertino Marble by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
The Fitzroy line, consisting of a bookcase, console and coffee tables, epitomizes the industrial style which runs throughout the collection. These pieces, with a 1970s feel, are made of travertine, brass and smoked glass.
Fitzroy bookcase with structure in open-pore Travertino marble. Structural bars in matt brass. Coupled glass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Large Modern Shelving Unit
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our La Scalia shelving unit is a large custom built bookshelf with four pillars supporting floating shelves. Each pillar is wrapped in a textured vinyl that comes in five different color ways: Platinum, Silver, Rose Gold, Old Bronze and Iron. Each shelf shown is lacquered in white dove with a glossy finish. Customers choose color, finish and size. The unit is a functional modern design perfect for storing books and home decor accents...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century Taxila Bookcase in Wood and Metal by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
The bamboo cane, an evocative element of naturalistic inspiration, is proposed with a polished brass finish, a reference to ethnicity that meets the refinement of precious materials,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Large 'Horizontale' White Oak and Black Steel Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 'Horizontale' shelving unit in the style of Charlotte Perriand.
Made of 8 solid clear-coated white oak shelves and 18 matte black powder coated steel spacer elements of thre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Geometric Fractal Bookshelf made of Solid Teakwood
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A keen proponent of sustainability, John Brevard’s handcrafted sculptural furniture aims to celebrate materials natural to our earth. Made from sustainably harvested teak wood from the PT Perhutani forestry reserve in Indonesia, this bookcase is hand-carved by skilled artisans and joined together to form Brevard’s signature fractal design...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Teak
21st Century Mackintosh Bookcase in Brass and Wood by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A versatile double-sided bookcase with a contemporary decorative allure, worthy of a starring role in any living space. An architectural construction in which the geometric cubes that compose the bookcase are attached only through the brass bars that cross them, giving birth to a spectacular and captivating set, distinguished by an evocative sense of lightness.
Mackintosh Bookcase...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
21st Century Matrix Bookcase in Brushed Bronze finish by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Between art and design, Matrix bookcase, with its captivating style, becomes the protagonist of the setting with a contemporary allure. Like a stunning sculptural element, it’s the r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
21st Century Psyco Bookcase in Black Chrome Finishing by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A new chrome-plated London smoke grey for the Psycho bookcase was presented for the first time at the Salone del Mobile, in 2018. The original orient...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Chrome
Gotham Bookcase - Customizable Wood and Metal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The elegant and striking Gotham bookcase features alternating oxidized Ambrosia maple and burnished bronze shelves with a blackened steel frame.
One available in-stock:
W 42 in. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Emeco Run Shelf in Clear Anodized Aluminum by Sam Hecht + Kim Colin
Located in Hanover, PA
Run is a collection of tables, benches and shelves by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, designers of the simple and no-nonsense. Run effortlessly finds balance in both indoor and outdoor land...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
21st Century Woodstock Bookcase in Wood by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A bookcase with an original design and simple lines to complete Woodstock collection launched in 2018. The dark hues and the Carbalho essence recall the afro mood of the 2019 collect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Modern Italian-style Brass and Chrome Shelving Unit with Smoked Glass
Located in Greenwich, CT
Cipriani Tower Display Case is a modern metal shelving unit for use as a bookcase or open credenza solution. Features a harmonious combination of brass, ...
Category
2010s Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Chrome
21st Century Perflect Bookcase in Metal by Sam Baron (Composition)
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"A play of mirrors revealing new dimensions. Inspired by the middle age and renaissance gravures about the optical illusion and sense of depth, Perflect is a set of bookshelves...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
21st Century Eret Console in Tropicalized Metal by Samer Alameen
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"Meccano: more than a toy, an iconic building set teaching basic mechanical principles. Over a hundred years since its inception, this game inspires a brand new artifact. Eret is a s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
Emeco Run Shelf in Aluminum & Walnut by Sam Hecht + Kim Colin
Located in Hanover, PA
Run is a collection of tables, benches and shelves by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, designers of the simple and no-nonsense. Run effortlessly finds balance in both indoor and outdoor land...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Modern Minimal Black Zigzag Modular Bookcase Room Divider, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Conceived as a minimal and contemporary bookcase to breakup the plane of the wall, this modular system, is versatile as a modern room divider as well as a backdrop in any space, be i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Meridian Modular Credenza, Modern Steel Etagere Bookcase, by Force/Collide
Located in Seattle, WA
The most versatile piece of furniture in Force/Collide's portfolio, the Meridian Modular Credenza is an all-steel construction consisting of double-si...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Emeco Run Shelf in Black Powder-Coat and Walnut by Sam Hecht & Kim Colin
Located in Hanover, PA
Run is a collection of tables, benches and shelves by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, designers of the simple and no-nonsense. Run effortlessly finds balance in both indoor and outdoor land...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Emeco Run Shelf in Aluminum & Ash by Sam Hecht + Kim Colin
Located in Hanover, PA
Run is a collection of tables, benches and shelves by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, designers of the simple and no-nonsense. Run effortlessly finds balance in both indoor and outdoor land...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
"Ercole e Afrodite Composition 8" Black or White Modular Box System by Driadelab
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Ercole e Afrodite Composition 8" is a modular combinable box system on a base made of poplar chipboard, reinforced by an inserted tubular steel, with bleached oak or grey painted oa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include DeCastelli, Kartell, Souda, and Danese Milano. 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 $120 and tops out at $96,530 while the average work can sell for $3,910.
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