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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
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
Hamilton Media Unit by Daytona
By Daytona
Located in Milan, IT
An idea of lightness and natural grace is the leitmotif in this piece, created to seem almost suspended. Its design features a rectangular floating structure in wood with a myrtle burl veneer and brushed gloss finish. The upholstered open compartment reveals a single shelf and has a front panel covered in grosgrain design leather (in Clayton Lumiere 1639) with a single handle in burnished brass. This is a stream-lined media unit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Newsletter Wall Bookcase
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
A splendid piece of sculptural allure, this indoor-outdoor wall bookcase is composed of an elegant series of round shelves of decreasing diameter exquisitely crafted of steel. Boasti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Tree Life Walnut Wood Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
A magnificent modern piece of skillful, traditional craftsmanship, this striking bookcase is entirely crafted of Canaletto walnut wood, showcasing its natural dark hue. The piece is ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Babel Bookshelf by Daytona
By Daytona
Located in Milan, IT
The Babel Bookshelf makes a striking statement with its hollow core shelves in a brushed gloss finish and a brass structure with burnished brass finish. Offering ample space for your...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Other
Ghidini 1961 Legs Bookshelves in Crystal and Brass by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Bookshelves in crystal and brass.
The designer imagines a turning point in the use of such a precious finishes such as polished brass: from the idea of almost a unique object in its...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Crystal
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf C in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
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
Deframe Large Bookcase
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
This bookcase is a striking modern sculpture that will make a bold statement in any contemporary interior. Crafted of metal sheets with different textures, obtained with detailed laser-cut work, and welded together in a unique geometric composition, this piece features five long shelves...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
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
Bookshelf Structure Wood Ebony Veneered Back in Vetrite with Strip Led
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Glass, Ebony
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf C in Mirrored Silver by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Italian Contemporary Design Black Marble and Oak Wood Wardrobe
By DD Dimore
Located in Brescia, IT
This gorgeous wardrobe is entirely hand made in every part by a team of master Italian craftsmans.
The structure is realized in dark brown colored oak. The sliding doors are finishe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Marble
Italian Contemporary Design Black Marble and Oak Wood Wardrobe
By DD Dimore
Located in Brescia, IT
This gorgeous wardrobe is entirely hand made in every part by a team of master Italian craftsmans.
The structure is realized in dark brown colored oak. The sliding doors are finishe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Marble
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
Tree Life Eucalyptus Wood Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
A striking piece of functional decor that will infuse any living room with refined sophistication, this splendid bookcase is the result of masterful craftsmanship combined with modern design. Fashioned of eucalyptus wood...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Envelope Bookcase
By Zanaboni
Located in Milan, IT
Bold and sophisticated this bookcase will be a striking addition to a contemporary home. Either against a wall, or used as superb room divider, this piece of functional decor will ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Shakespeare Bookshelf in Aluminium by Altreforme
By Elena Cutolo
Located in Calolziocorte (Lecco) Italy, IT
Crossword-shaped bookcase to facilitate books searching. Tribute to Sylvia Beach and to her library.
Pricing excludes VAT.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Tempium Small Bookcase by Ferdinando Meccani
Located in Milan, IT
This multi-purpose storage unit by Ferdinando Meccani boasts a walnut briar frame. The design features two large cupboards, one small cupboard, and a selection of shelves, all crafte...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf A in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Newsletter Floor Bookcase
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
A contemporary sculpture that functions as a bookcase, this striking piece boasts a unique composition entirely made of steel using traditional techniques. Composed of a rectangular ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf A in Mirrored Silver by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Rossana Orlandi Odyssey 360 Bookshelf in Silver by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
Turnable bookshelf made of silver mirrored acrylic and aluminum lining and supported by a natural coral stone. Internal part in a genuine turquoise Italian...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
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
Ghidini 1961 Legs Bookshelf in Wood by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The designer imagines a turning point in the use of such a precious finishes such as polished brass: from the idea of almost a unique object in its perfect craftsmanship, to the syst...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
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
Rossana Orlandi Rochester Bookshelf in Wenge by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The design of the items in this collection is complex and elegant. The Rochester collection features a sideboard, a cabinet, a shelf and a set ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
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
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf B in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
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
Rossana Orlandi Odyssey V Anthracite Cabinet by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
Odyssey collection aims to surprise and to astound through the contrast between the Natural elements and man-made materials that merge into one...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
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
“Contaminazioni Geometriche” Library in Black and Yellow Wood by Emanuela Crotti
Located in Milan, IT
This beautiful library/storage is linked with memories, represented by little objects, images fragments of the artist’s life all combined together to creates stunning tableaux vivant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
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
Randal Tysinger Modern Ebonized China Display Cabinet
Located in North York, ON
This modern display cabinet is designed by Randal Tysinger. Composed of ebonized wood, the cabinet has a top section with two glass doors and three glass shelves inside with drawers ...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Emeco Run Shelf in Black Powder-Coat & 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
Bookcase Totem Collezione Ollo Alchimia by Alessandro Guerriero, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Bookcase Totem Ollo collection, Alchimia, 2019, in lacquered wood black and metallic yellow.
In 1976 Alessandro and Adriana Guerriero established Alchi...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Impressive Ralph Lauren Sideboard Console Slate Stone Door and Shelves Redwood
By Ralph Lauren
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this ex showroom stock Ralph Lauren RRP £14,000 light Rosewood sideboard buffer with solid polished slate stone door and shelves
I have recently...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Slate
Filing Tree Mobile Storage Unit, Designed by Laurie Beckerman in 2007
Located in New York, NY
This is a unique and highly functional mobile storage unit. It's an ideal place for files and papers that need to be easily accessed from work areas. Designed in 2007.
Made-to-ord...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf Pair, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
This set includes two modern Etagere bookcases Storage Shelves which are contemporary and sculptural.
The functional modern yet minimal sculptural Ah...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Bookcase Tronchi Model by Andrea Branzi for Superego Editions, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
An elegant bookcase designed by Andrea Branzi and produced by Superego Editions in 2013. The structure of the library is made up from a tree trunk (Birch) with solid brass tops.
B...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Solid Walnut Dovetail Record Crate for RPM Records, in Stock
Located in Nyack, NY
As avid record collectors we all have albums we want close at hand. Whether storing new finds or favorite titles that are in heavy rotation, our dovetail record crate...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Black Lacquered and Faux Horn Étagère
Located in Westwood, NJ
A black lacquered and faux Horn painted Etagere, with four glass inset tiers with brass-edged corners.
Dimensions: 32" W x 15" D x 80.25" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass
Montefeltro Bookcase by Michele De Lucchi
Located in Milan, IT
Montefeltro bookcase by Michele De Lucchi.
Italy, 2008. Prototype. Limited Edition of 6 examples. Oak frame, walnut elements, linseed oil finishing. Signed: M. de Lucchi 2008. Measu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak, Walnut
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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