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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Returnable Items Only
Pair of Modern Gray Bookcase Cabinets
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern grey bookcase cabinets. New, made in the USA and custom finished by the Carrocel artisans. Minimalist design featuring 3 glass shelves and...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Polished Stainless Steel Library/ Room Divider by Willy Rizzo, Signed
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Library/ Room Divider, designed by Willy Rizzo. France, Willy Rizzo, 2012.
A large contemporary bookcase/ room divider made of polished stainless steel construction with smoked glas...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Stainless Steel
Italian Modern Black Wood Convex Shape Wall Bookcase Joe Colombo Style, 1980s
By Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood convex shape wall bookcase in the style of Joe Colombo 1980s.
Bookcase in black wood, composed of 3 long vertical shelves a...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcase, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern herringbone parquetry bookcase in our light oak Dusk finish with three veneered shelves and a herringbone parquetry design on the bottom drawer. It sits on tapered legs with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Contemporary Modular Bookcase limited edition signed by Raoul Gilioli
Located in Torino, IT
the library was designed by the artist-designer Raoul Gilioli inspired by modernist architecture. The light changes the perception of spaces and volumes allowing you to emphasize the...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Iron
Italian Modern Black Metal and Tempered Glass Bookcase, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black metal and tempered glass bookcase, 1990s
Floor bookcase composed of 4 rectangular shelves in tempered glass. The accordion structure, on which the glass rests, ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Baleri Italia Mac Gee Bookshelf in Metallic Silver Steel by Philippe Starck
Located in Milano, Lombardia
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
One of a Kind Custom Emmett Moore Limed Oak Bookcase, USA, 2014
Located in Miami, FL
One of a kind bookcase rendered in limed oak with undulating oak shelves and six adjustable glass shelves, numerous uniquely shaped compartments make this piece multifunctional for c...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Oak
Modern Rustic Oak Etagere - Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern rustic-style dark oak etagere with five oak-crafted display shelves firmly supported by a crossed "X" stretcher at its back. It is secured with a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Mirrored Pair Contemporary Shelving "Paso" in Walnut by Casey Lurie
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
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
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Modern Rustic Oak Etagere, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern rustic-style light oak etagere with five oak-crafted display shelves firmly supported by a crossed "X" stretcher at its back. It is secured with a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Spanish Bookshop 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Spanish bookshop 20th century
perfect condition
158cm x 84cm x 34cm
wood and iron.
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Bookcases
Materials
Iron
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a contemporary design to create a refined piece of wooden furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
White Lacquered Modern Double Bass or Cello Form Three Shelf Cabinet or Bookcase
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful modern double base or cello form white lacquered cabinet which slides open from the center to reveal three hidden interior shelves, supported by...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Chrome
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Cabinets by František Jirák for Tatra Nábytok Pravenec
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Vintage cabinets by František Jirák for Tatra nábytok Pravenec.
Closet 75 x 107 x 40
Wardrobe 169 x 110 x 48
Bookcase 158 x 110x 44.
Category
1960s Slovak Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Collector's Bookshelf with glass and wooden doors in French oak, France
Located in Landivy, FR
SIENNA Collection
This bookcase is part of the contemporary collection SIENNA designed by Christophe Lecomte in Vendée. SIENNA is characterized by taut lines slightly softened by curved handles or drawers.
The oak, a noble species from the French forests is, with SIENNA, highlighted with finishes using a trendy, slightly bleached natural color in contrast with matte black or a chestnut color in harmony with a more "charm" interior.
For a practical and maximum access to the storage niche, the opening of the upper glass flap door is from down to up and the opening of the lower glass flap door is from up to down with a cable opening system.
1 adjustable wooden shelf is avaialble and adjustable between the 2 wooden swing...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak, Glass, Wood
Bookcase, partially closed cabinet, separator cabinet for environments, storage
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.
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
Pair of Modern Stainless Steel and Brass Bookshelf Stands Italy, 1970's
By Romeo Rega
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Modern stainless steel and brass bookshelf stands Italy 1970's. In the style of Romeo Rega. All original in good condition, wear consistent wit...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter.”
William L. Hamilton, The wall street journal
The primo shelving system is composed of notched solid wood planks...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Modern Black Lage Bookcase, Brass Walnut, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lage Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal point in a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass
Contemporary Bookcase Lacquered, Veneer Oak/Walnut
Located in New York, NY
Modular bookcase that is available in various sizes. It consists of shelves, back panels and fronts in the shape of a cross. The back panels and the shelves can be either wood veneer...
Category
2010s European Modern Bookcases
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
Modern Bookcase with Shelves in Walnut Wood and Brushed Brass
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The "Bookcase ExCentric 2.0" listed here is made in walnut wood and brushed brass. However, we can also produce this in customized options:
Structure: Stainless steel (polished or b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel, Cut Steel
Amorph Flux modern shelf Black Lacquer Wall Mounted
By Amorph Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Flux shelf is a sculptural art furniture piece designed by Amorph. Flux could be fitted in modern office or home as a featured contemporary piece...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Modern Zebra Wood Chrome Glass Jewelry Closet Display Counter Case with Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Modern zebra wood chrome glass jewelry closet display counter case with drawer. Item features chrome base, glass top, display surface, beautiful wood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Zebra Wood
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 a Showroom Sample made in walnut wood and brushed brass.
It's also available an Executive Desk from the same collection, with the same ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Cut Steel, Metal, Brass
Contemporary Shelve Unit by Johan Viladrich, Collectible Design, 2020, Rotterdam
Located in Antwerp, BE
Collectible design; Contemporary; Johan Viladrich; Functional Art; Polyethylene; Sabine Marcelis; Everyday Gallery; French design; Art; Bookcase; Office furniture; Store furniture...
Category
2010s French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plastic
Contemporary Shelving Room Divider "Paso" in Walnut by Casey Lurie USA
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 sections which are ideal for displaying favorite books and objects. This understated design lends itself to any space, and can be produced in mirrored pairs for added spatial symmetry. Entirely made by hand in ecologically sourced American black walnut using...
Category
2010s North American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Half Moon Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
A contemporary-style half-moon etagere with a light and airy design. The tall frame has been given a high polished gold finish and surrounds each of the six...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Leather Double Bookcase Scala, Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Double bookcase by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara.
The object presented in the image has following finish: F82 Rust Nappa Leat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Wood
Corner Cupboard Shelf Coffee Table Storage Cabinet Bookcase 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
Simply Modern Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern open bookcase with a lacquered interior, leather-wrapped drawers and our Cardamon finish frame and handles, with brushed brass f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Wood
Large Dassi Mahogany Wall Unit Bookcase, 4 doors, Part of Unique Living Room 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Important wall unit bookcase and bar, cabinet, 1940.
Executed by Dassi and attributed to Ico Parisi
Unique living room
Stunning details "grissinato mahogany wood"
Part of unique living room designed to commission
Mahogany, maple wood, brass details
this wall unit consist in two units
Measures: H 168cm, 295 x 39 cm.
top unit: shelves, two large doors...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Elegant Tall Brass and White Laquer Etagere with 2 Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A sleek stylish modern tall etagere bookcase having a sexy mix of brass, white lacquer and 4 smoky glass shelves. There are two roomy drawers on the botto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Leather Bookcase Scala by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara
Located in Warsaw, PL
Leather bookcase by Stephane Parmentier for Giobagnara.
The object presented in the image has following finish: F09 Brown Nappa Le...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Wood
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
Nendo Small Drop Bookcase in Matte Lacquered Laser-Cut Sheet Metal by Cappellini
By Nendo, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
An ingenious challenge against the force of gravity, the Drop, by Nendo, is a two-sided column bookshelf offered in 3 different heights. The Drop bookshelves are made of Matte lacque...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Cloud Two-Sided Bookcase for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The cloud bookshelf by Ronan & Bouroullec, with hollow compartments, is an extravagant furnishing element with a pop flair and an absolutely unforgetta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plastic
Solid Stained Oak Verticale Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid stained red oak verticale shelving unit by Design Frères. Comes in 3 easy to transport and assemble elements.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Lensvelt Job Cabinet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Cabinet
Lensvelt Job cabinet red, an archetype of the Classic storage cabinet designed by Studio Job, with a special twist. The case has a gigantic gold-colored key that gives the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Amorph Flux bookcase, shelves, Lacquered Red Facing Left and Right
By Amorph Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Flux shelf is a sculptural art furniture piece designed by Amorph. Flux could be fitted in modern office or home as a featured contemporary piece...
Category
2010s American Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Mondrian Mid-Century Modern Bookcase, Unique Piece
Located in Miami, FL
Mondrian Mid-Century Modern bookcase, unique piece. In the taste of Mondrian, 1940.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Oak
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
Modern Hobart Bookcase, Walnut Veneer, 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Four Shelves 'Verticale' Polished Oak Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four shelves 'Verticale' polished oak shelving unit.
Highest quality solid oak construction.
Comes in 2 parts connected with dowels, for easy ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Modern Bookcase 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
Six Shelves 'Verticale' Polished Oak Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six shelves 'Verticale' polished oak shelving unit.
Highest quality solid oak construction.
Comes in 3 parts connected with dowels, for easy shipping, installation and moving.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Baleri Italia Mac Gee Bookshelf in White Steel by Philippe Starck
Located in Milano, Lombardia
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
Steel Room Divider, Minimal Metal Shelving - Customisable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
Modern freestanding shelf unit for books, objects, and plants. The shelves are designed to look delicate and airy but strong. The straight-back design sits neatly against a wall or can be free-standing to create a room division. The clean lines look great against period details as well as in modern spaces and the compact proportions compliment modern living. The shelves can stand together to create larger shelving...
Category
2010s British Modern Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Four Shelves 'Verticale' Polished Oak Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four shelves 'Verticale' polished oak shelving unit.
Highest quality solid oak construction.
Comes in 2 parts connected with dowels, for easy ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Steel 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
Into the Woods Bookcase, Walnut and Brass, 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.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Nendo Medium Drop Bookcase Matte Mud Lacquered Metal Structure for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Nendo
Located in New York, NY
An ingenious challenge against the force of gravity, the drop, by Nendo, is a two-sided column bookshelf offered in 3 different heights. The drop bookshelves are made of matte lacque...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal
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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