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Mid-Century Modern Shelves

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Italian Wood Bar Cabinet with Mirrored Interior, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1960s Italian modern bar cabinet, defined by clean lines and thoughtful craftsmanship. The rich-toned solid wood features channeled grooves along the front and sides, lending a sen...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Italian Wooden Wall Unit, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wooden Wall Unit, 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

metal Brass Etagere Wall Board "rigituelle" Mathieu Mategot attrib., France 1950
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall board Design: Mathieu Matégot attrib. Origin: France Age: 1950s This original vintage wall board was produced in the 1950s in France. It is made of soli...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

étagère Charlotte Perriand 1954
Located in Perpignan, FR
Tres belle étagère Charlotte Perriand datant de 1954. Provenance immeuble Courboulay - Le Mans Ensemble monté sur caisson par ébéniste
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Eames Original 1st Generation ESU 200-N Storage Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original first-generation ESU 200-N storage unit, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This iconic piece embodies the Eames' innovative approach to modular design, fe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Rattan and Bamboo Shelf, Italy 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice, decorative rattan/bamboo stool in very good condition, Italy, 1950s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Bamboo

Vintage Modern Circular Étagère Display Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Mid-Century Modern shelf unit includes smoked glass shelves in an x-style frame, ideal for shop or home display. Vintage display étagère...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Lane Furniture Oil Drop Lacquer Four Shelf Bookcase / Etagere
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century four-shelf etagere / bookshelf with an oil drop lacquer finish. (LANE FURNITURE)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pin Modular Shelf System Red 90 cm by Hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
Offering a stylish appearance with vertical supports and horizontal surfaces, these shelves by hermhaus have a modular structure with two different length options and allow you to cr...
Category

2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Bernhardt & Vella 'Alba' Freestanding Ceiling Fixed Bookcase 2 Sections Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Ellen Bernhardt and Paola Vella for Arflex, 'Alba' Sectional Freestanding Ceiling Fixed Bookcase. This is a wonderful and very versatile freestanding bookcase with many possibilitie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Country Arts & Crafts Style c1960s Red Cedar wall Shelves on Dowels Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Decorative Country Arts & Crafts Style c1960s Red Cedar wall Shelves on Dowels Bookcase Nice Varnished Finish & Patina
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Cedar

Midcentury Modern Danish Design Rosewood Bookcase, 1960s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Bookcase Danish design midcentury moder bookcase in beautiful rosewood veneer. Unfortunately, we were unable to identify the designer and maker of the quality cabinet. But that does ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Rosewood

Large Rectangular Floating Shelf and One Large Sculptural Wooden Pebble, Sereno
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Large Rectangular Floating Shelf with One Sculptural Wooden Pebble Accent, Sereno by Joel Escalona — What happens when the practical becomes art? What happens when ornamentation ga...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Oak

Early Pierre Chapo 'B17C' Bibliothèque in Solid Elm 284 cm / 111.81 in.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, 'Bibliothèque' wall unit bookshelf, largest version, model 'B17C', solid elm, France, design circa 1967 This wall unit, known as model ‘B17’, is an early edition desig...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Elm

Mid-Century Nisse Strinning string design teak wall unit , 1960s
Located in Delft, NL
Mid-Century Nisse Strinning string design teak wall unit , 1960s
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving Unit designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise Charlotte Perria...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Tall Custom Brass Etagere with Glass Shelves by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall custom brass etagere with seven glass shelves. Handmade in solid brass in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Can be made in custom size and finish. Pr...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

1960's Art Wall Unit or Room Divider with Sculpture by Jelínek
Located in Praha, CZ
Unique mid-century artistic wall unit or room divider made of metal with two wooden benches and sculpture by Jelínek (signed).
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Copper

Stepped Four Tier Iron and Glass Display Shelf
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century architectural display stand constructed of an angle iron frame with glass shelves. The frame is stepped in a classic skyscrape...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Iron

50 Piece Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 50 pieces of this amazing Barzilay walnut wall unit with aluminum accents. Please contact us for custom pricing and visit our L...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Milo Baughman Style Henredon Scene Two Burl Wood Three Cabinet TV Wall Unit
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning three-piece set of Henredon scene two wall units. Set includes three olive wood burl wood wall units with one tall four drawer TV cabinet ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Burl

Rare Midcentury Bookcase in Rosewood by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Low bookcase roseoowd. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Rosewood

Lovely Corner Bamboo and Wicker Shelf, Italy, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice Italian corner shelf made of bamboo and wickerwork. Three identical shelves in total. Very good condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Pine

1960s Sculptural Pair Étagère Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1960s Mid Century Sculptural Étagères Set of 2 by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Indiana 79.25, 79x 20.25 x 20.25 One Étagère is .5 inch...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
IMid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Laminate & Lacquered Wood Shelf, 1960s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Equipped wall in laminate and lacquered wood sides. 2 Central metal legs with adjustable brass feet. Good condition can be easily disassembled and assembled Italy 1950/60. Packaging...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Laminate, Wood, Paint

Milo Baughman Style Chrome and Glass Étagère
Located in Stamford, CT
A five-glass shelved chrome étagère in the style of Milo Baughman boasts clean linear lines.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Étagère Shelves, Italy, circa 1960
Located in London, GB
A Mid Century bamboo and rattan three-tier Italian étagère (shelves) dating from the 1960s. In excellent condition commensurate of age.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

1960s Wall shelf, Poul Cadovius
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in oak. The system consists of seven shelves, one container with drawers, one container w...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Artist's work: Large oak shelf/bookcase circa 1960, selected wood, key assembly
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Artist's work: Large oak shelf/bookcase circa 1960, selected wood, key assembly, no screws.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern French Modular System Shelve, Wood and Metal
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern French shelve. By unknown manufacturer from France, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful pati...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Mid 20th Century Rustic Wood Wall Shelve Unit
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid 20th century Spanish wall shelve unit. Made by unknown manufacturer from France, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Poul Cadovious für Royal System „Abstracta“ Regal Chrom Glas 1960s
Located in Reutlingen, DE
Minimalistisches, filigranes und sehr seltenes, freistehendes Steck Regal aus verchromten Stahlelementen und Glas von Poul Cadovious für Royal System, Dänemark 1960er Jahre. Dieses ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Wall Shelf from Maison Regain, France 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Mid Century modular wall shelfs made by Maison Regain in the 80s They are made from blond elm, Stamped
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Elm

Mid-Century Modern Circular Étagère
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern étagère features a heavy circular chrome frame with three round glass shelves. Stylish design with four supports running all the way from bottom to top ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Italian Designer, Pair of Wall-Mounted Consoles, Bamboo, Rattan, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of bamboo and rattan wall-mounted consoles designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving Unit midel Nuage designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Guillerme et Chambron, Solid Oak storage unit, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron, solid oak storage unit, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Wood Three Shelves Open Bookcase Library
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian walnut, carved, three shelves, open bookcase, with great details and frames shaped in Victorian, Napoleon III, Louis XV style with beautiful burl wood pattern dec...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Shelving unit model Nuage designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-56. Relaunched by Cassina in 2012. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Authenticity and avant-garde characterise Char...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Triangular Bamboo and Rattan Italian Corner Bookcase, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful mid-century triangular corner bookshelf made in bamboo, rattan and wicker. This lovely French Riviera style bookshelf was produced in Italy during the 1970s. This charming bookshelf features four triangular shelves...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan

Danish Modern Bookcase With Drop Front Bar Cabinet
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1950s Materials: Rosewood Measurements: 39.5″ wide x 17.5″ deep (30" deep when opened) x 67.75″ tall
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Rosewood

Iron and Marble Shelf with Adjustable Shelves Att. to Weinberg
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and rare mid century shelf unit having an iron frame, with marble, and metal mesh shelves. The marble shelves fit into iron frames, w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Marble, Wrought Iron

Pierre Vandel Black Glass and Brass Etagère, France, circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
A Pierre Vandel black lacquered aluminum étagère with brass detailing and three black glass shelves. Labelled: Pierre Vandel Paris, circa 1970 Th...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Square Diamond Étagère
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant vintage modern geometric shelving unit with four glass shelves for storage and display. A sleek bookcase with a metal frame that offers t...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Pierre Sala style "Pencil" Shelf, circa 1980
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Pierre Sala style small "pencil" shelf, circa 1980 wear and stains.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Mid century italian free standing wall unit, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Exclusive mid century wall unit made from wood and black metal legs. It consists of a lowboard with 4 drawers, 2 doors and on top of that we have a bar compartment and another two d...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Freestanding Black Metal with Primair Colors Desk Folding Book System
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very typical rare eighties Italian designed book shelf with five shelves which one shelve can also move to pull forward to use as desktop, the othe...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Italian wall unit in teak - 1960s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Superb Italian wall unit designed in the 1960s. It is made entirely of teak. It consists of six compartments of different sizes, allowing you to have a large amount of storage space....
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Teak

1960s Paul McCobb Planner Group Bookcase
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Paul McCobb for Winchendon, Planner Group bookcase, USA, 1950s, maple, wrought iron.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Glass & Brass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with brass clad patchwork design. Includes two L shaped wa...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Pair of Shaws of London Flamed Hardwood Dwarf Open Library Bookcases Small Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning matching pair of Shaws of London dwarf open library bookcases in flamed mahogany which are part of a suite I have two matching pairs of the...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of DIA Chrome and Glass Étagères
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful together, banking a fireplace, and entry or use as a room divider. A pair of high style chrome and glass étagère by DIA.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Nisse Strinning string design teak wall unit , 1960s
Located in Delft, NL
Mid-Century Nisse Strinning string design teak wall unit , 1960s
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Bamboo Rattan Decorative Shelf Etagere
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bamboo Rattan decorative shelf Etagere.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed

Louise Nevelson Style Wall Sculpture Book Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Bookshelf, in the manner of Louise Nevelson, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. This wall mounted shelf has space to store books or displ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Vintage Teak Modular Wall System by Tomado for Musterring, 1960s.
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
This large rare wall unit is a co-production of Tomado Netherlands and the German company Musterring International. It features 4 teak cabinets, 3 teak shelves. and 8 metal racks....
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Iron

Stainless Steel Pace Wall Unit with Lacquered Burl Wood Cabinets
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pace collection wall mounted shelf unit . Two white lacquered cabinets with blonde burl wood doors anchor nine 12" deep glass shelves .Larger deeper glass shelf sits between cabinets...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 25 D x 174 W x 220 H cm ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

Mid-century Modern shelves for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern shelves 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 shelves created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, wall decorations, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern shelves made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Poul Cadovius, and Mathieu Matégot. 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 shelves differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $120,000 while the average work can sell for $2,886.

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