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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Cloud Case Painted Paper Pulp Shelving Unit 'Goodnight Moon Edition'
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cloud Case Shelving Unit by Chiaozza.
2021
Materials: Painted Paper Pulp.
Dimensions: H 67" x W 72" x D 16".
Edition: Unique
The Cloud Case references the function of a bookcase and the form of the fireplace, toy house...
Category
2010s North American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Paper
Modern Etagere Room Divider - Minimal Steel Metal Shelving
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
Modern freestanding shelves unit for books and plants. The shelves are designed to look delicate and airy but strong. The straight back design sit...
Category
2010s British Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
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
Contemporary Bookcase B, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
By Giacomo Moor, SEM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Pivot Contemporary collection, bookcase B, simple and sculptural. The supporting structure is a rigid system of metal tubes to which are added shelves in beautiful stone elm wood combined with various lacquered containers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Metal
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
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 116" Shelves & 12 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
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
Parallax Paperback by Steven Holl Architect 1st Edition 2000 Book
By Steven Holl
Located in North Hollywood, 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
Italian modern modular bookcase Programma 1 Antonia Astori De Ponti Driade 1970s
By Antonia Astori, Driade
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern modular bookcase Programma 1 Antonia Astori De Ponti Driade 1970s
Modular bookcase Programma 1 composed of 43 wooden modules lacquered i...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Rare Tommi Parzinger Magazine Table with Handles
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare Tommy Parzinger magazine table with handles on the sides and brass sabots. Designed for Charak Modern, circa 1950s, mahogany.
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Bookcases
Modern Bookcase Cabinet in Brass and Black Lacquer
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Indulge in the epitome of modern sophistication with our exclusive black bookcase cabinet, a masterpiece handcrafted in Canada. This striking piece boasts an alluring blend of high-g...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass
Set of 6 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, 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
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 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
Bookcase, Shelf in Brushed Brass and Transparent Glass, Contemporary Work.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bookcase, shelf in brushed brass and transparent glass, contemporary work.
Shelf, bookcase in brushed brass and transparent glass, contemporary work.
W. 135 D. 50 H. 230 cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
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
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, 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
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
Mettitutto One Way Cabinet by Stefano Boeri Architetti
Located in Milan, IT
This rotating open cabinet in satin-finished Canaletto walnut is a versatile piece capable of elevating any modern decor with its elegant allure. It offers a whimsical design where a...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather
Late 20th Century Solid Cherry Pigeon Hole Cube Bookcase
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Solid Cherry Pigeon Hole Cube Bookcase in lacquered finish. Each cube measures 5.6" W x 6.25"D x 6.25"H. Great vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases
Materials
Cherry, Plywood
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
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 52" shelves & 10 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 116" Shelves & 8 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
DeCastelli Tako Cabinet in Brass by Filippo Pisan
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clean volumes for a console with quite simple lines, emphasising the nobility of the metals that clad the large faces of the drawers. Available both in a h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Iron
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
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 84" shelves & 12 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel
Musa Ivory Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Intersecting elements arranged in impeccable harmony define the airy and dynamic silhouette of this bookcase, a superb design whose prized materials make it a plush accent in professional contexts or living rooms. The rectangular-cut, cylindrical metallic structure is upholstered in ivory leather and equipped with four crystal clear shelves...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" shelves & 9 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
Deframe Bookcase
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
Striking and contemporary, this bookcase is composed of various metal sheets of different textures juxtaposed and welded in an eclectic geometric composition. Featuring a rectangular...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 116" shelves & 16 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, 116in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 116" shelves & 20 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, 84in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" Shelves & 9 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
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
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
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 84" 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
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" Shelves & 9 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
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, White and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 52" Shelves & 8 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
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
Into the Woods Bookcase, Walnut (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
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, 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
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb and flow of life. Through its ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, 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
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, 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
Majj Studio White Credenza
By MAJJ STUDIO
Located in Seyrantepe, 34
White credenza can be located at various places in interiors according to usage. It is made of lacquered painting over the raw wood. It can be used as s...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Legs Bookshelves in Crystal and Polished Brass By Paolo Rizzato
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Milan, IT
This sophisticated bookshelf is part of the Legs collection, featuring precious object of functional decor made in brass and crystal and creating elegant silhouette to enrich a conte...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass
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
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
"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
Baughman Style Chrome & Lucite Etagere Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
Milo Baughman Style Chrome and Lucite Etagere Lamp, with open lucite shelves, two spotlight lights, apparently unmarked. 84" H x 66" W x 12.5" D. Provenance: From a New York City Col...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Chrome
Jerome Low Etagere
By CPRN HOMOOD
Located in Ponsacco, IT
A low lacquered etagere, this piece offers a chic and minimalist design with a smooth, glossy finish that brings sophistication to any space. Featuring multiple tiers, it provides ve...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Tegmark Open Front Cabinet with Hi Gloss Enamel Finish
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Tegmark cabinet features an open front cabinet sitting on an asymmetrical base. The cabinet is constructed using oak finished with a hi gloss enamel paint...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Kartell Adam Wood Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Adam Wood is Kartell’s first real bookcase for living areas. The shapes of its curved wooden shelves and 3-D painted steel frame have been optimised by CAD s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
DeCastelli Ripple Cabinet by Marco Pisati
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ripple cabinet is inspired by the fluidity and adaptability of water, and the texture of metal, expertly worked by the company. The result is a sinuous, polymorphous volume in wh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Modern Minimalist Large Bookcase with Shelves Oak Wood Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Large Bookcase ExCentric 2.0 listed here is made of oak wood and brushed stainless steel. However, we can also produce this in customised options:
Structure: Stainless steel (po...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel, Cut Steel
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
Modern Minimalist Bookcase with Shelves in Walnut Wood and Brushed Brass
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Bookcase ExCentric 2.0 listed here is made of walnut wood and brushed brass. However, we can also produce this in customised options:
Structure: Stainless steel (polished or bru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modules Office & Residential Mail Box Stainless Steel Polished
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
4 Modules Office & Residential Mail Box Stainless Steel Polished
Materials:
Satinless steel
Dimensions:
D 32 cm x W 32 cm x H 40 cm
The letterbox 3-4-5 has been in BD’s ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
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
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.