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Modern Shelves

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Nude 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 Shelves

Materials

Resin

Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
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 Shelves

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Metal

Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Azure by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, Azure by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H.55 D.40 W.40 cm Materials: Container on wheels with plinth and “tapparella” sliding shutter in s...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Oak

USM Haller Side Table O118
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With one drop down door. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM H...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Genie Sculptural Hand Carved, Floating Shelf in Ash Wood by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
If you’re looking to conjure up something special for displaying your favourite ornament, Genie will be more than happy to grant you this wish. As if from nowhere a smoke-like wisp a...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Ash

The Front Shelf by Coseincorso
Located in Geneve, CH
The Front Shelf by Coseincorso Limited Edition Of 24 + 1 prototype + 2 A.P. Dimensions: D 8 x W 75 x H 25 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Weight: 1 kg. The Front is inspired by the...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern Etagere w/Black & Charcoal Gray Textured Metal Tube Frame & Glass Shelves
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Modern etagere with black & charcoal gray textured metal tube frame & 5 glass shelves. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will h...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Porada Wooden First Bookcase by G. Carollo
By Gino Carollo
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the Porada First Bookcase, a stunning addition to any luxury home. Crafted with the finest attention to detail, this bookcase features a sleek and modern design, perfect ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Montana Module With Four Large Compartments By Peter J. Lassen For Montana
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey Montana module with four large compartments, designed by Peter J. Lassen. Dimensions: H:70cm W:70cm D:30cm
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" shelves and 9 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adj...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Brooklyn Shelving Unit by Karpenter
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the Brooklyn Shelving Unit by Karpenter, a stunning addition to any modern home. Crafted from high-quality wood, this shelving unit boasts a sleek and minimalist design. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, 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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Paul Evans Cityscape Wall Unit in Chrome & Glass
Located in Greensboro, NC
An exceptional “Cityscape” wall unit by Paul Evans. Four wall mounted supports with attached desk and single drawer & smoked glass shelving. Good vintage condition with some signs...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Baker Furniture Walnut 3 Tier Etagere Book Shelf with Drawers
Located in Countryside, IL
Baker Furniture Walnut 3 Tier Etagere Book Shelf with Drawers This etagere measures: 50 wide x 19 deep x 38 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show a...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

70s White and Stainless Steel System Cabinet by Jacob Jensen for Bang & Olufsen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely rare system cabinet / audio cabinet in white combined with stainless steel stands and details designed by Jacob Jensen for Bang & Olufsen in Denmark Type: 2064 Model: SC50. It's a great system cabinet / audio cabinet to display your vinyl player...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Stainless Steel

Amuneal's Brass + Glass Collector's Shelving - Quick Ship
Located in New York, NY
Our Collector’s Shelving Units have been featured in award-winning residential, hotel, retail, and hospitality projects. Each year we produce hundreds of bespoke units, engineered an...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

2023 Z-Shelf Kit 4 Library Left MO by Ron Arad for Moroso
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Z-shelf (left), originally designed by Ron Arad. These examples were produced by Moroso in Italy circa 2023. The shelves are made completely of black sheet steel. The liste...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Perforated Large Storage Box, Solid Birch Wood Perforated Box by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wooden storage box made in holed solid birch wood. Large holes creates a distinct graphic look and allows light to flow through. The boxes are light and easy to hold. They work both ...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Shelves

Materials

Birch

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Italian modern orange plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s. Set of three shelves with asymmetrical profile in shiny orange plastic. There are two types of sizes: one ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Italian modern black shiny plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s. Set of two shelves in glossy black plastic, one small and one large. It is possible to mount them in ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

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 and flow of life. Through its ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 52" Shelves & 4 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjus...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 84" Shelves & 15 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Maple, Extra Long, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 116" shelves and 16 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This includes 5 84" Shelves & 15 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjust the length on a per ...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, 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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

2023 Ron Arad for Moroso Z Shelf Kit Set of 4 Library Right
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Z-shelf (right), originally designed by Ron Arad. These examples were produced by Moroso in Italy circa 2023. The shelves are made completely of black sheet steel. The list...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

"Grid 2x3" handcrafted shelf from chestnut
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
This elegant shelf is crafted from galician chestnut, finished with oil to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. All joinery is meticulously handcrafted, ensuring durability and pr...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood, Chestnut

Shelving system 'Glifo' by Enzo Mari, 1969
Located in Berlin, DE
Enzo Marni designed this ‘Glifo’ shelving system in 1966, a rare and pioneering piece of furniture. It is a plug-in system made of white plastic elements. Enzo Mari was an Italian mo...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Libra Shelf 120 by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Libra shelf 120 by Colé Italia with Martinelli/Venezia Dimensions: H.42 D.20 W.124 cm Materials: Shaped solid oak wall shelf; black lacquered iron stirru...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

USM Haller Media O2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors and one cable cut out. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine 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 Shelves

Materials

Resin

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Tangerine 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 Shelves

Materials

Resin

Vodo bench, in oak and metal, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces, sculptures that become a bench, a bookcase, a bedside table or a consolle. Elementary forms inspired by architectural shapes...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Sheet Metal

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system. Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category

2010s North American Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Perforated Small Low Storage Box, Birch Wood Perforated Box by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wooden storage box made in holed solid birch wood. Large holes creates a distinct graphic look and allows light to flow through. The boxes are light and easy to hold. They work both ...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Shelves

Materials

Birch

Mid-Century Adjustable Birch, Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String Sweden 12" Deep
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern adjustable wall shelves. Constructed of birch and coated wire. Made by String in Sweden. Measures: 39" tall x 31.5" x 11.75"...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Modern Shelves

Materials

Birch

Amuneal's Brass + Glass Collector's Shelving
Located in New York, NY
Our Collector’s Shelving Units have been featured in award-winning residential, hotel, retail, and hospitality projects. Each year we produce hundreds of bespoke units, engineered an...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Moroso SECRET CUBIC SHELVES by Olafur Eliasson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Moroso presents “Secret Cubic Shelves”, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson. A result of the artist’s intensive, decades-long engagement with geometry, the shelves a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Italian modern black shiny plastic shelf by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelf by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s Glossy black plastic shelf with geometric profile. The shelf is not central to the structure, so it can ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

7 Piece Travertine + Glass Sculptural Shelf, Italy 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous seven piece sculptural shelf likely custom designed by an interior designer for an Italian residence. This 1970s tiered shelf is both maximal and minimal. The cone form, p...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Travertine

AS4 modular wall unit 22" wide bookshelf in solid walnut and blackened steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
The AS4 modular shelving unit is handmade using solid hardwood with dovetail joinery, and solid steel. This single-bay shelving unit can easily be rearranged, expanded upon, and rel...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

AS4 modular wall unit 32" wide bookshelf in solid walnut and blackened steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
The AS4 modular shelving unit is handmade using solid hardwood with dovetail joinery, and solid steel. This single-bay shelving unit can easily be rearranged, expanded upon, and rel...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Buffet & the Library Signed by Gigi Design
Located in Geneve, CH
The Buffet & The Library Signed by Gigi Design Dimensions: H 90 cm x W240 cm x D40 cm Materials: Oak slat – Recycled plastic. Through this creation, we wanted to revisit the traditi...
Category

2010s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic, Oak

Late 20th Century Mahogany Hanging Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th century Mahogany Hanging Wall Shelf in very good Condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Chrome, Brass and Glass Etageres
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a wonderful pair of modern etageres. They're made of chrome with brass accents. They have 4 glass shelves. We also have a matching coffee table as seen in the advertisement. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 157.5 inch wide pink cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Windsor-Style Black and Gold Bordered Desk Top Shelving
Located in New York, NY
Windsor-style (modern) black top of desk shelving unit with three compartments trimmed in gold, nailhead-like dots, and scalloped top and bottom edges. ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Oak 4 Tier Industrial x Frame Freestanding Bookcase Etagere Shelf
Located in Dayton, OH
An open frame industrial style x frame bookcase or room divider from the last quarter of the 20th century. Made from oak with four long shelves. The unit can be broken down folding u...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 80's light blue cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produced i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

TRANSFIX Storage Unit in Glass, by Marc Krusin, Kensaku Oshiro from Glas Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transfix storage unit is shown here in the transparent extralight glass. Display and storage unit and element dividing and screening the spaces, obtained by gluing slabs of laminated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass

Emerald Green Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This absolute show-stopper modular bookcase refinished in gorgeous emerald green cerused oak is by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s and 1980s. You can con...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Pink Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This absolute show-stopper modular bookcase refinished in gorgeous pink cerused oak with contrasting white grain is by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s an...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Gold Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ready to be that statement piece you need in the room, this gold cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is b...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass Shelves #1 (1976) Shelves is shown here in the transparent glass. Bookcase characterised by the extraordinary formal cleanness and the golden proportions, entirely realized in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass

Yusu Shelving and Storage Unit II
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Yusu Shelf and Storage Unit offers a solution where you can easily display and store your products. Yusu, made of durable beech plywood, offers customizable dimensions to suit your l...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Modern shelves for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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 Modern shelves made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves, popular names associated with this style include Marcel Wanders, Moooi, Souda, and Casey Lurie. 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 $11 and tops out at $88,764 while the average work can sell for $3,091.

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