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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Clear Acrylic New-In-Box “Sound Rack” by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba for Kartell
By Kartell
Located in San Gabriel, CA
Another modular piece from Kartell designers, the “Sound Rack” by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba is a small cabinet that can take on many forms. It can be sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Acrylic
Ash Noir Eternel Bookcase by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Noir Eternel Bookcase by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 180 x D 47 x H 200 cm
Materials: Ash Noir Lacquered, Black Metal....
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Ash
Ash Umber Eternel Bookcase by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Umber Eternel Bookcase by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 180 x D 47 x H 200 cm
Materials: Ash Umber Oiled, Black Metal.
...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Ash
Contemporary 3 Bay Light Green Wooden Mortise Shelving System in Maple by JUNTOS
By JUNTOS
Located in New York, NY
Mortise is a low-rise bookshelf conceived for elegant and flexible storage, capable of extending up to 9' ft wide thanks to a smart modular design that can be packed flat. The piece ...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Hardwood, Maple
Contemporary 3 Bay Dark Blue Wooden Mortise Shelving System in Maple by JUNTOS
By JUNTOS
Located in New York, NY
Mortise is a low-rise bookshelf conceived for elegant and flexible storage, capable of extending up to 9' ft wide thanks to a smart modular design that can be packed flat. The piece ...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Hardwood, Maple
Fine Contemporary White Painted Bookshelf Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very made Cabinet with simple elegant lines, X decorated glass panel doors, four adjustable top shelves and one fixed shelf below. There are two pull out returns for help in sorting and all of the doors with contrasting Pewter tone pulls. The Cabinet is extremely versatile and may be used as a Bookshelf, Pantry Cabinet or Collection display case...
Category
20th Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Style Geometric Metal & Glass Triangular Corner Shelf Etagere Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
An art deco style triangular geometric corner shelf. Features tempered glass shelves. Brackets along the top allow it to be mounted to the wall. Measures: 63".
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Handcrafted walnut bookcase #1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W48 // D12.25 // H32.5
Made in house by Vintage On Point. Made of solid and veneered walnut .
Category
2010s Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Italian modern Asymmetric bookcase with 2 shelves in light wood, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Asymmetric bookcase with 2 shelves in light wood, 1980s
Asymmetric fantastic bookcase in light wood. The two compartments are join...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Custom Leather Wrapped Console Bookcase by Century Furnture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ultra chic Century Furniture custom console bookshelf having speckled cream and brown faux leather wrapping and handsome brown leather corners. The ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Faux Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Lungo
By Simon Hamui
Located in Wilmington, DE
Low-profile bookcase with patinated orthogonal metal shelving set within a wooden frame presents a balanced design of symmetric lines and material.
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Caos San bookcase in metal and glass by Antonia Astori for Driade, c. 1990.
By Driade, Antonia Astori
Located in MIlano, IT
Metal and glass bookcase model Caos San with a structure composed of three burgundy-colored metal uprights, with orange metal and glass shelves of different sizes between the first a...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Obsidian Bookshelf - Modern Black Lacquered Bookshelf with Steel Dividers
Located in London, GB
The steep accents of the Obsidian collection confers its unique design with a sublime and powerful presence, gifting it with a head-turning look and a sharp personality of its own. T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
German Modernist Wall Unit by Schieder Mobel
Located in Denton, TX
Combination of ebonized oak with teak and glass make this wall unit usable as a bookcase / display cabinet or media center. The faceted arched glass doors...
Category
20th Century German Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Pair of Modern Oak Bookcase Cabinets in Natural Washed Finish
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Modern Oak Bookcase Cabinets in Natural Washed Finish. This pair of modern oak bookcases is perfect for adding a touch of modern styling to any room. With a natural washed fi...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Italian modern modular black white bookcase by Carlo de Carli for Fiarm, 1970s
By Fiarm, Carlo De Carli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern modular bookcase by Carlo de Carli for Fiarm, 1970s
Modular bookcase made up of 12 square, 3 rectangular and 4 corner modules. Black and white painted wood...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Crafted Bookcase, shelves, shelf sideboard wood Medulum Cabinet
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint.
The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle.
The library is shipped semi assembled.
Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce Canaletto finito con vernice trasparente.
La testa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Modern Geometric Etagere Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Geometric Etagere Cabinet, A modern geometric trellis-back cabinet with shelves. This etagere style piece has three glass inset shelves above the figured sycamore cabinet base...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Opinion Ciatti Portariviste Magazine Rack
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Portariviste, an object that identifies exactly its function and there is no need for a different name to define it. Portariviste is so similar in the concept but so distant in the e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Opinion Ciatti Ptolomeo Wall Medium Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ptolomeo wall is the wall version of the Original Ptolomeo and could be defined as the "column of knowledge”. A stack of levitating books or a ground-air column (floor-ceiling) for e...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Opinion Ciatti Ptolomeo Art Large Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ptolomeo Art is the last born in the Ptolomeo family and the extra large version of the famous bookcase, indeed thanks to its generous size can contain magazines, large format books,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Opinion Ciatti Original Ptolomeo Medium Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Ptolomeo is the free-standing bookcase that doesn’t require any further presentation: it is simple, revolutionary, innovative, as sudden as ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Opinion Ciatti Original Ptolomeo Large Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Ptolomeo is the free-standing bookcase that doesn’t require any further presentation: it is simple, revolutionary, innovative, as sudden as ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Italian modern Squared modular bookcase or display in smoked plexiglass, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Squared modular bookcase or display in smoked plexiglass, 1990s
Modular bookcase made entirely of smoked plexiglass. The modules are 6 squares and 4 rectangles, with r...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plexiglass
Pair Mid-Century Vintage Solid Pine Low Bookcases
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Mid-Century Vintage hand crafted Solid Pine Low Bookcases. Good vintage condition. Measure 30" in width, 11" in depth and stand 29" tall. Lower shelf clearance is 13" and uppe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Pine
Ben King Colorful Stand Designed by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ben King colorful stand designed by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada
Measures: W 38 x D 36.6 x H 55 cm
Structure in MDF with painted ash veneer
Metal base plated with Champagne colour f...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Italian Modern Brick System Bookcase by DDL Studio for Collezioni Longato 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern modular plastic Brick System bookcase by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi for Collezioni Longato Padova, 1970s.
Brick System modular bookcase, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plastic
Bespoke Bauhaus Tubular Steel Low Bookcase, Stained Wood, Sliding Glass Panels
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus tubular steel low bookcase with case in veneered blockboard and sliding glass panels. Reedition with original components.
Category
2010s German Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Folding and self-supporting bookcase, modern Italian, by Pool Shop ca. 1980.
Located in MIlano, IT
Freestanding bookcase with folding wooden slatted frame, different colors, with rectangular shape. Ability to hold the bookcase either vertically or horizontally or hang it on the wa...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Pair of Medium Size Solid Cherry Open Bookcases
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of handcrafted solid cherry open bookcases from the late 20th century. Good vintage condition.. Measure 22" in width, 7.25" in depth and stand 35" tall and 19.25" in width, 7.25...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Cherry
Ben King Colorful Stand Designed by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ben King colorful stand designed by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada.
Measures: W 38 x D 36.6 x H 55 cm.
Structure in MDF with painted ash veneer.
Metal base plated with Champagne color...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Baleri Italia Mac Gee Bookshelf in Black Steel by Philippe Starck
Located in Milan, IT
Mac Gee is the essence of a bookshelf. Philippe Starck cleaned and cleaned the structure to only keep the square root, the skeleton of a bookshelf. Therefore avoiding styles, the tim...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Constantin Bookends, C by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Constantin Bookends by Colé Italia, C with Agustina Bottoni
Dimensions: H.20 D.7 W.7 cm
Materials: The body is a cube in Marquina black marble with white veins. The top is in solid...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Raphael Raffel Bookcase, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Raphael bookcase in his signature Béka lacquer finish, a technique he championed that gave the lacquer an ombré appearance; it rests on gilt bronze legs, Signed on a bras...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Bronze
Coastal Breeze Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
The perfect place to display your most treasured decor, the Etagere displays an open X brace design with five tapered shelves for maximum storage and is finished in our new sea salt ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Italian modern very solid dirty white metal sel-supporting bookcase, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern very solid dirty white metal sel-supporting bookcase, 1970s.
Self-supporting bookcase with structure entirely in metal, very solid, made up of ten cubes with a side of...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Light Modern Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Bookcase is a modern two-door bookcase in figured cathedral ash available in our dune finish with metal pulls in Ember. Completed three exposed fixed shelves in our exclusive ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Composition
Gervasoni Daen 72 Bokshelf by Federico Peri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookshelf with ash wood frame and MDF shelves lacquered in date, blueberry or ginger colours. Back panel covered in water repellent and cleanable faux-leather vibes available in azul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Dark Modern Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Bookcase is a modern two-door bookcase in figured cathedral ash available in our dark earth finish with metal pulls in Ember. Completed three exposed fixed shelves in our excl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Composition
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 52" shelves & 6 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjus...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Luca Meda Shelving Unit, Molteni, Italy, c1970
By Luca Meda, Molteni & C
Located in London, GB
Luca Meda grew up and studied in Milan, graduating from the renowned Art School of Brera in the heart of the city. He continued his studies in Germany, at the Hochschule für Gestaltu...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Pacifico Evolution Bookcase by Lapo Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modular open steel bookcase, available in three versions.
The shelf desk is made of water-repellent, flame-retardant compact multilayer without formaldehyd...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Italian modern Irregular wooden folding floor wall bookcase by Pool Shop, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Irregular wooden folding floor and wall bookcase by Pool Shop, 1980s
Irregularly shaped wooden folding bookcase with 11 square compartments a...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Dada Est. Custom Oak Vinyl Record Cabinet, Handcrafted Storage with Midcentury
By DADA est.
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Discover the perfect blend of style and functionality with this Dada Est. Contemporary Oak Vinyl Record Cabinet. Handcrafted with the finest mater...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Libreria Berione Di Andrea Branzi Per Cassina
Located in Baranzate, IT
Libreria disegnata da Andrea Branzi per Cassina negli anni '80. Si caratterizza per la sua assoluta purezza sia nelle linee che nella struttura. È sostenuta da una doppia struttura t...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Marble, Steel
Librero DUNA, Mexican Contemporary bookcase by Emiliano Molina for CUCHARA
Located in Ciudad De México, ME
It belongs to the exclusive line of Cuchara, showcasing the highest quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship. With its unique blend of black electro-painted carbon steel and sol...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Konus Bookshelf - a Sculptural Piece of Furniture
By HEMO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Introducing the captivating and avant-garde Konus bookshelf - a stunning piece of furniture that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Boasting a design that melds sculptural finess...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Tropical Stone "Aedicula" Bookcase design by MMDesign for Officina della Scala
Located in Milano, IT
Designed to house books and objects, “AEDICULA” can stand on its own in order to divide spaces or it can lean against a wall; like ancient Roman libraries, it becomes an element of d...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Marble, Aluminum
Cabinet Loom Tay di Dalmoto
Located in Como, IT
Loom is a wall cabinet that celebrates two excellences of the region: the skill of craftsmenship in the process of bending wood and the Como tradition of weaving. The composition of ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Bespoke Low Bookcase, Stained Wood, Sliding Glass Panels and Tubular Steel Base
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Bespoke low bookcase with case in veneered blockboard and sliding glass panels and tubular steel base.
Category
2010s German Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Cubos Union by Maria Beckmann, Represented by Tuleste Factory
Located in New York, NY
Cubos Union by Maria Beckmann
Stacking Cubes
2013
W 14.2" × H 14.2" × D 14.2"
W 36 × H 36 × D 36 cm
Single $600.00
Set of 5 $3,000.00
Pictured: Set of multiple Cubos Union in Pine...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Pair of “Tango” Bookcases from “Trasformatio” Collection, Italy, 1960/2022
Located in Napoli, IT
Pair of “Tango” bookcases from the collection “Trasformatio”, design Michele Iodice exclusively for the Esprit Nouveau gallery.
LIMITED EDITION 2/2
Modular structures in pre-pa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Bookcase Domino Mobler
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern Danish teak bookcase. Original finish by Domino Mobler. Very nice condition. Measures: 31" x 11.5" x 72".
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Black "Rocky" Side Table, Charles Kalpakian
Located in Geneve, CH
Black "Rocky" side table - Charles Kalpakian
Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm
Materials: Steel
Different colors are available
Rocky is a sculptural piece. It can be used as ...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Angelo Mangiarotti "Loico" Bookcase in Green Alpi Verdi Marble for Skipper 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti "Loico" Bookcase in White Carrara Marquita Green Alpi Verdi Marble for Skipper 1970s
This bookcase is a part of the "Loico collection" for the Skipper factory i...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Carrara Marble
Portoro-GoldLeaf "Aedicula" Bookcase design by MMDesign for Officina della Scala
Located in Milano, IT
Designed to house books and objects, “AEDICULA” can stand on its own in order to divide spaces or it can lean against a wall; like ancient Roman libraries, it becomes an element of d...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Marble, Aluminum, Gold Leaf
Green Sculptural "Rocky" Credenza, Charles Kalpakian
Located in Geneve, CH
Green sculptural "Rocky" Credenza, Charles Kalpakian
Dimensions: W 140 x D 36 x H 95 cm
Materials: Steel
Different colors are available
Rocky is a sculptural piece. It can be used as a console or a credenza, but will also accommodate books and objects to become the most graphic display or bookshelf.
Designer Charles Kalpakian plays with our perception of space and volume with an object that reveals itself and changes according to the observer’s point of view.
Charles Kalpakian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982.After collaborating with prestigious agencies including the Ora Ito...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Ellen Bookcase - 2x4 size - by KLN Studio
By KLN Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This eye catching bookcase is made to order, and can be painted in any color under the sun! Hand built to last, the Ellen bookcase is sure to take center stage in any space. The round shelves...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
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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