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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Mirrored Pair Contemporary Shelving "Paso" in Walnut by Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Paso shelving was designed to embody simplicity and harmony through the use of rhythmical geometries and warm natural materials. Alternating ladder-like shelves create discrete secti...
Category

2010s North American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Bookcase with Cast Brass Structure & Glass Shelves
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This bookcase stands as a graceful memento of branches springing from a quiet river bank. Designed to be filled with ideas, it’s structure is made of tree branches molded in cast bra...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

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

White Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Ghidini 1961 Plomis Bookcase by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
La libreria Plomis è un simbolo del lusso e dell'eleganza italiana. Ispirato ai fiori, il design giocoso e sorprendente aggiunge raffinatezza a qualsiasi spazio. Versatile, Plomis ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Splendid bookcase by Jacques Adnet, 1955, France
Located in Paris, FR
Jacques Adnet (1900-1984), wood, lacquered metal, brass, circa 1955 Dimensions : 106.5 x 65 x 17 cm / 41.929 x 25.590 x 6.693 inches. Sublime bookcase crafted by Jacques Adnet. The b...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Brass

Cheba bookcase, in lacquered metal snd plywood, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Tables on one or more levels, furnish ironically without remaining unnoticed. Ideal companions for public and private environments and contexts. The structure is a curved metal roun...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

DeCastelli Large Babele Tower Bookcase in Brass by Martinelli Venezia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aspirations of higher knowledge find three-dimensional representation in the striking verticality of this tower bookcase, stripped of all non-essential ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Bookshelf Giralt
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
This modular bookcase boasts a 1-meter width per unit and is expertly crafted from Oregon pine. Its middle shelf's height can be tailored to your preference. Designed with the purpos...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Bookcases

Materials

Hardwood, Softwood

Bookshelf Giralt
Bookshelf Giralt
$1,915 / item
Contemporary Stained Fruitwood Three-Part Revolving Bookshelf
Located in Germantown, MD
A Contemporary Stained Fruitwood Three-Part Revolving Bookshelf Measures 21" in width, 21" in depth and 29.5" in height. Max. Book height is 11.5".
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases

Materials

Fruitwood

DeCastelli Yoroi Cabinet in Iridium finish by Alesandro Masturzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Like the hard metal sheets that identify the armour of a samurai, the scales on the skin of this piece define its appearance. Yoroi has a dynamic shape, taking on the evocative stren...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Blue Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Blue by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Resin

Fit Red Bookcase by Marc Sadler
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
A unique piece of modern sophistication, this bookcase will add a colorful and elegant accent to any contemporary indoor or outdoor area. Resting on turned brass feet and equipped wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

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

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System
Located in Chicago, IL
Enzo Mari Dima modular wall shelving system for Simon International Dima Italy, circa 1970 Enameled steel, shelves adjustable with solid plastic holders...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

DeCastelli Yoroi Cabinet in Brassl by Alessandro Masturzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Like the hard metal sheets that identify the armour of a samurai, the scales on the skin of this piece define its appearance. A dynamic shape, taking on the evocative strength of Art Deco furnishings...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Into The Woods Bookcase, White (in stock), InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
A long walk through a Swedish forest beneath intertwined branches of huge trees, was the inspiration of the dazzling Into the Woods bookcase. The woods are captured by the elegant sh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Metal

Kartell Medium Bookworm Bookcase in Aluminum by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An artist's creativity combined with a great company’s technology results in to a bookcase design of Industrial scale that can rightfully be considered the world’s most daring and re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

21st Century Modern Steel White Bookshelves Wave Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
The Wave series is the result of a gesture, a natural movement that gives birth to sinuous and minimal forms without neglecting the functionality of the object. It consists of wall s...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Smoke by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sundial Modular Bookcase in Crystal and White by Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sundial is the bookcase whose dividing elements, placed in different directions, create a game of unexpected and original proportions.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Resin

Proportions of Stone Shelf 01 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of stone shelf 01 by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 110 x D 35 x H 150 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone Each piece is made to order a...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stone, Steel

Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' Modular and Adaptable Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Sky-floor bookcase 'PUNTELLO MODULARE' PUNTELLO MODULARE is a modular and adaptable sky-floor bookcase. Starting from our Prop, we have designed a modular system that allows you to ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Iron

Light Igor Book End
Located in Milan, IT
A bright and unique way of keeping books in place, this book end is a perfect complement to a modern shelf, where it will combine functionality with a bold decorative accent. The sta...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Light Igor Book End
$3,393 / item
Italian modern wood and red metal self-supporting bookcase by Arflex, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood and red metal self-supporting bookcase by Arflex, 1970s. Self-supporting bookcase with curved metal structure and glossy red enamel, with solid wood shelves and c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Gallotti & Radice, Smoked Glass and Lacquered Wood Cabinet from 70s
Located in Catania, CT
Great vintage condition with normal trace of age snd use for this cabinet made from smoked glasses and lacquered wood.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Lacquer

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, Modern Wood Wall Shelf, Bookcase
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

Majj Studio 24-Legged Bookcase
Located in Istanbul, Kağıthane
24-Legged Bookcase can be located at various places in interiors according to usage. The size of the bookcase can be extended by adding modules. Each module is 150 cm length. The bookcase, which composed of two modules, has 24 wooden round legs. It is made of walnut veneered, silk matte varnish on mdf and raw walnut wooden lathe legs.
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

DeCastelli Existence Wall Five-Tier Bookcase in Brass by Michele De Lucchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Why should bookcases always be straight, long, vertical, right-angle planes to keep nothing but books perfectly straight and composed? [...] And don’t we like to keep a few small ob...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Modern Bookcase from "Fancy-Routine" Collection by Supaform
Located in Florence, IT
This piece is part of Sight Unseen’s 2020 offsite offline coverage. Supaform’s latest collection, a shelf, chair, coffee table, bench, and lamp called Fancy-Routine and debuting at ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Bookcases

Materials

Cut Steel

Modern Contemporary Boxes in Orange and Green Mdf by Marc Morro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Olmo are a pair of stackable boxes with 2 different heights. They are made with different layers of MDF and plywood, what creates a light and resistant structure that allow them to s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Bookcases

Materials

Beech

“Graffiti” Bookcase by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, Italy 1980s
Located in Argelato, BO
Bookcase model “Graffiti” by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, 1980s Bookcase of Italian manufacture made by Bieffeplast of Padua in the ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

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

Frame Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
A clean and essential design of strong geometrical value, this striking bookcase will make a bold and stately addition to any contemporary decor. Featuring two vertical supports and ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Frame Bookcase
Frame Bookcase
$19,746 / item
Amuneal's Collector's 2 Bay Shelving Unit
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

Envelope Bookcase
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

Envelope Bookcase
Envelope Bookcase
$30,096 / item
Kartell Bookworm in Black
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutionary project produced on an industrial scale...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Bookworm in Black
Kartell Bookworm in Black
$1,504 Sale Price
20% Off
Mobile Libreria anni '80 in Bambù Rosso
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Mobile libreria vintage realizzato in bambù smaltato rosso con ante a battente, cassetti e ripiano in vimini con vetro in appoggio.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Bamboo

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

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
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

Parallax Paperback by Steven Holl Architect 1st Edition 2000 Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Parallax Paperback – November 1, 2000, by Steven Holl (Author). What makes Steven Holl one of the most celebrated architects working today? As we learn in Parallax, his success come...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Paper

Steel Etagere Room Divider Shelving - Customisable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
Modern freestanding shelves unit for books, objects and plants. The shelves are designed to look delicate and airy but strong. The straight back d...
Category

2010s British Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Pair of Modern Black Bookcases in Solid Wood
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern black bookcases in solid wood. Finished in a satin black finish with sleek modern styling. Sold in a pair, 4 total available. P...
Category

2010s American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

DeCastelli Nippon Bookcase in Stainless Steel by Alberto Nason
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nippon is a 'display case', a piece of furniture designed to hold books, objects and accessories. According to the needs of the space where it will be used, it can become a bookcase, display cabinet, a notice board...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Crystal by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. It is a go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Resin

Bookcase Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Max Alto series Artona
Located in Milano, IT
A masterpiece of Italian 1970s design, this exceptional "Artona" tall center cabinet was designed by the celebrated duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in 1975. A rare ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Leather, Wood

21st Century Modern Bookshelf with Agglomerated Wood Top Ethrio Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
This is a very flexible shelving system that can suit any type of space. With a simple shifting in the assembling of the shelves, a variety of possible configurations is available, d...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Kartell Bookworm in Cobalt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Bookworm in Cobalt
$994 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Modern Black Lage Bookcase, Brass Walnut, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lage Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Lage bookcase was designed to be the focal point of any offi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

"Zigzag" Mirror Finished Steel Low Bookcase by Konstantin Grcic, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zigzag" is a low bookcase version, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure and shelves in polished steel with mirror finish. Bookends in sheet m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

"ZigZag" Bronze Painted Steel and Walnut 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 Canaletto walnut veneered shelves. Bookends in sh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Leyva Wall Bookcase in Glossy Black Finish by Giuseppe Viganò
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Leyva table is made of painted iron rod welded into a grille of uniform squares. Sophisticated and unintrusive, Leyva decorates the living room with a light, contemporary touch. The Leyva collection also includes a latticework bookcase with the same design, a cleancut and essential silhouette. Its willowy minimal contours conjure up an airy lightness. Whether it is wall-mounted or free-standing, it will easily blend into any setting. Perfect for modern settings and a seamless solution for industrial surrounds, it could also bestow an unexpected twist on more classical décor. Moveable shelves and the base, for floor version, are in coated sheet metal. The designer Giuseppe Viganò...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Italian modern modular bookcase "Samara" by Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa, 1970s
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid Century Modern Modular Wall Unit by derk Jan de Vries, 1980s Product details Dimensions D: 38 cm (14.96") H: 114,5 cm W: 115 cm (45.28") Measures : Cube box (3pc) : ...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Cane, Glass, Wood

Kartell Bookworm in Aluminum
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Kartell Bookworm in Aluminum
$576 Sale Price / item
20% Off
"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

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

Small Bookshelf by Neri & Hu
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Bookshelf by Neri&Hu Dimensions: W 201.8 x D 55 x H 123 cm Materials: Canaletto walnut veneer wood Doors: Dark green, prune, warm white lacquered mdf Founded in 2004 by p...
Category

2010s French Modern Bookcases

Materials

Other

Italian modern black steel bookcase by Philippe Starck for Baleri, 1984
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black steel bookcase by Philippe Starck for Baleri, 1984 Wall bookcase entirely in black painted sheet steel. The five rectangular shelves with rounded edges on the fr...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Centina Totem Shelves by Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Centina totem shelves by Oeuffice Edition: 8 + 2AP 2011 Dimensions: 86 x 86 x 205 cm Materials: Solid handcrafted stained oak The Centina totem re...
Category

2010s English Modern Bookcases

Materials

Oak

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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