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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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.
Style: Modern
Color: Black
Modern Black Oak Ladder, Medium
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Our Black Bloak Ladders are made of solid white oak finished with ink to blacken them while still letting the natural beauty of the wood grain come through. We use them to display blankets, towels or scarves. Great at the beach house for bathing suits and towels, as a drying rack for lavender or herb or in a guest room...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Opinion Ciatti Henry II Triangular Corner Wall Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
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
USM Haller Media O3 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L.
With two drop down doors elevated. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated steel tubes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome, Steel
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
Opinion Ciatti Henry III Triangular Wall Shelf Right
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Opinion Ciatti Henry III Triangular Wall Shelf Left
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Modern Black Bookcases in Solid Wood
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern black bookcases in solid wood. Finished in a satin black finish with sleek modern styling. Sold in a pair, 4 total available.
P...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
USM Haller Pedestal M Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L.
With one 6" drawer and one 14" filing drawer and casters. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Marble "Duo Shelf" Shelf, Ilaria Bianchi
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble "Duo Shelf" shelf - Ilaria Bianchi
Dimensions: 80 x 24 x 35cm
Materials: Marble
In the collection of shelves “Duo”, marble off cuts are combined with expanded polystyren...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble
Alea Contemporary Minimal Telescopic Shelf Display Black Metal Limited Edition
By Jacobsroom
Located in Roma, IT
Alea is a minimal and contemporary telescopic display shelf with 5 individually shaped trays that can be arranged at any height and position.
Alea is part of the BLACK RHYTHMS limited collection designed by Jacobsroom Studio, Rome. This telescopic decor and display has a distinct visual style with its minimalist, abstract geometric shelves...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Sheet Metal, 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 Shelves
Materials
Wood
Componibile Shelf by Giulio Polvara for Kartell, 1975
By Giulio Polvara, Kartell
Located in Barcelona, ES
Componibile shelf model 4760-4765 designed in 1975 by Giulio Polvara for Kartell. Include three storage cubes model 4770 designed by Centrokappa in 1975. Plastic elements that can be...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
USM Haller Shelving H2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM Haller system is built to last for generation...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Tall 'Horizontale' Black Steel and Oak Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall 'Horizontale' black steel and oak shelving unit / bookcase by Design Frères.
Polished and sealed white oak shelves interspaced with black ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Inori Glass Bookcase by Setsu & Shinobu Ito for Fiam Italia
By FIAM
Located in Chicago, IL
The Inori modular bookcase, designed for Fiam by Setsu & Shinobu Ito, is the first system in the furniture industry entirely made of glass, and composed of modular elements.
Showr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass
TIVOLI Bookcase with Ceramic Back
Located in Frazão, Porto
Emphasized with a geometric design of the shelves and beautifully accented with ceramic panels, this bookcase includes led lighting to give the illusion of more depth and space, highlighting the ceramic plate.
TIVOLI is crafted with timeless and sleek lines to be able to complement any interior.
Use a pair to create a stunning scenery or a single bookcase to enhance a special spot in your room.
Available in a large collection of finishes to suit any design needs.
Primary image: shown matte lacquered structure in CM10 color, with Orobicco Dark ceramic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Lacquer, Ceramic
Thin Shelf Double in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Clear Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The thin shelf is the newest addition to the thin series, a collection exploring the potential of rigid yet pliant steel plates. The blackened steel arch of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Black Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Wall Mounted Console, Black Ash Wood & Bronze Ribbon Hardware by Debra Folz
By Debra Folz
Located in Pawtucket, RI
An interest in the translation of textile languages and soft surfaces through furniture forms has led to the development of a unique hardware and storage collection. Inspired by ribb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Bronze
e15 Profil Shelf by Jörg Schellmann
By e15, Jörg Schellmann
Located in New York, NY
Evoking associations with minimal art, the wall-mounted shelf profil by Jörg Schellmann bears a distinct sculptural appeal. The aluminum shelf is produ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
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 Shelves
Materials
Steel
Opinion Ciatti La Gabbia Shelving Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
La Gabbia, Lapo Ciatti's storage cabinet is a sculptural element of scenic impact made of metal and aluminum, embellished with 24 glossy studs. La Gabbia is a practical organizer equ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Moooi Sofa So Good Demi Double Shelf Black Stained Oak with Aluminum Feet
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Sofa So Good Shelf is part of the modular Sofa So Good to store and display your favourite accessories and doubles as a coffee table. It is a practical piece that adds a finishin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Wall-Mounted Tidal Shelf in Black Powder-Coated Aluminum by Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The wall-mounted, tidal shelf is formed out of 1/4 inch thick, powder-coated aluminum. Each shelf has a welded U-channel to the reverse of the shelf and ea...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Contemporary Minimal Sculptural Metal Black Corner Shelf, USA, in Stock
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural single metal minimal corner shelf is perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom.
In stock: These Minimalist shelves, whether insta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Moooi Sofa So Good Demi Shelf Black Stained Oak with Aluminum Feet
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Sofa So Good Shelf is part of the modular Sofa So Good to store and display your favourite accessories and doubles as a coffee table. It is a practical piece that adds a finishin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Round Shelf with Blue Matte Finish, Colored Glass, by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Round shelf with matte Nextel coating. A centered lacquered glass shelf with a brown hand blown glass piece thats included in the shelf. The core is made i...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Cement
Black Lacquered and Faux Horn Étagère
Located in Westwood, NJ
A black lacquered and faux Horn painted Etagere, with four glass inset tiers with brass-edged corners.
Dimensions: 32" W x 15" D x 80.25" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Black Stained Oak
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Black Stained Oak
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
One Series Shelves Contemporary Shelve in Steel
Located in London, GB
Limited resources like materials and methods sometimes stimulate designer's imagination. One series uses a single sheet of metal without waste so that it creates novel aesthetic and ...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Clay Bookshelves by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant Bookshelves are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created through Baas’s individual ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Jet Black Lacquered Beech
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
Moooi Sofa So Good Shelf Black Stained Oak with Aluminum Feet
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Sofa So Good Shelf is part of the modular Sofa So Good to store and display your favourite accessories and doubles as a coffee table. It is a practical piece that adds a finishin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Jet Black Lacquered Beech
By MARCEL WANDERS, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oblique is a cupboard slash a wall shelf. Make this the mood board of your lifestyle. Display all your favorite publications, company magazines, booklets, guides or photos in the chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
ClassiCon Paris 3 Shelves in Black by E. Barber & J. Osgerby
Located in New York, NY
Furnishing is a creative game of possibilities. The shelving unit Paris by the London design team of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby offers plenty of Scope to indulge the urge to play....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Modern Alex Pinna for Dilmos Shelf Suspended Console Patinated Waxed Metal
Located in Milan, IT
Console composed by two pyramid-shaped elements and two figure-like sculptures in patinated waxed metal.
Two thin human figures of severe aspect stand o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Modern Alex Pinna for Dilmos Shelf Suspended Console Patinated Waxed Metal
Located in Milan, IT
Console composed by two pyramid-shaped elements in patinated waxed metal for Dilmos Milano.
A figure with a pensive look crosses one element of the shel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Tall 'Horizontale' Black Steel and Oak Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall 'Horizontale' black steel and oak shelving unit / bookcase by Design Frères.
Polished and sealed white oak shelves interspaced with black ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Large Twin Rock Contemporary Shelves
Located in London, GB
A series of one-off displays sculpted from anthracite and casted in aluminum.
This collection explores a desire to imitate nature by presenting a series of small Dual displays. Scul...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Thin Shelf Single in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Starphire Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thin shelf single, blackened steel, and Starphire glass the Thin shelf is the newest addition to the Thin series - a collection exploring the potential...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Danese Milano Sarmiento Large Shelf in Anthracite Metal by Francisco Gomez Paz
Located in Hicksville, NY
Sarmiento is a practical, disassemblable and single-material shelf characterized by an inclined shelf, simply expressing an innovative, technological and conceptual content. It is made of bent sheet metal.
Francisco Gomez Paz is an Argentinian designer. Born in 1975 he lives and works between Salta and Milan. His experimental approach to design is fed by an insatiable curiosity and vast knowledge of materials and techniques. He is constantly researching new ways of making objects and his work, much of it self-produced, has been awarded important international recognition. He shares Danese Milano...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Medium Twin Rock Contemporary Shelves
Located in London, GB
A series of one-off displays sculpted from anthracite and casted in Aluminum.
This collection explores a desire to imitate nature by presenting a series of small dual displays. Scul...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Contemporary Minimal Sculptural Metal Black and Copper Corner Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural set of four metal minimal corner shelves are perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom.
These Minimalist shelves, whether installed...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Copper, Steel
Two Square Black Marble and Wood Plinth Pedestals with Marble Tops, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of two wood display pedestals with marble tops. Each pedestal is square with a black overlay. One very tall one, and the other shorter. Removable stone tops in white give them a ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Marble
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf USA
Located in Chicago, IL
The contemporary modern Black Steel Ahn etagere is a study in positive and negative space. With its five different asymmetrical and organic surfaces, Ahn is a minimal sculpture in its own right, playing with balance and tension between the shelves while serving as an etagere, bookcase, or storage shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf C in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
21st Century Psyco Bookcase in Black Chrome Finishing by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A new chrome-plated London smoke grey for the Psycho bookcase was presented for the first time at the Salone del Mobile, in 2018. The original orient...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf A in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina
The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Emeco Run Shelf in Black Powder-Coat and Walnut by Sam Hecht & Kim Colin
Located in Hanover, PA
Run is a collection of tables, benches and shelves by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, designers of the simple and no-nonsense. Run effortlessly finds balance in both indoor and outdoor land...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Black Steel "Etagere No.1" by Alex Drew & No One, 2016
Located in Detroit, MI
"Etagere No.1" is from the new 2016 collection of Alex Drew & No One. Inspired by traditional craftsmanship while incorporating a modern edge, AD&NO's work plays on light, textures, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
Contemporary Shelf in 3D printed Silica Sand, Amorphous Solids, by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Amorphous Solids is shapeless and without order.
The project is an exploration of the physical and digital and between production and craft.
Amorphous Solids are direct translations of hand-drawn motifs.
Organic and immediate, the extruded structures are intersected with straight lines to create cell-like chambers.
Each chamber suggests a place for something, but for what is unclear. The amorphous forms can be developed into endless new structures.
3D printed in silica and phenol resin, the granular surface texture is a result of a process typically used in casting mold...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
Contemporary Modern Minimal Black Zigzag Modular Bookcase Room Divider, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Conceived as a minimal and contemporary bookcase to breakup the plane of the wall, this modular system, is versatile as a modern room divider as well as a backdrop in any space, be i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Meridian Modular Credenza, Trio, Vertical Steel Bookcase, by Force/Collide
Located in Seattle, WA
The most versatile piece of furniture in Force/Collide's portfolio, the Meridian Modular Credenza is an all-steel, sturdy and modern construction cons...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf Pair, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
This set includes two modern Etagere bookcases Storage Shelves which are contemporary and sculptural.
The functional modern yet minimal sculptural Ah...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
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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