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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Color:  Brown
Bench Sitting AccardiBuccheri Medulum Oak Sheet Metal
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

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

Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel

Porthole Shelving System, Handcrafted Modern Solid Wood Shelving System
Located in Stevenson, WA
The Porthole Shelving System was originally designed for an audio lover's records, but it’s not just for vinyl records: it fits art books and whatever ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood

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

Contemporary Crafted Bookcase, shelves, shelf sideboard wood Medulum Cabinet
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. Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum 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 Shelves

Materials

Wood, Walnut

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

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 Shelves

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Vitra, Planophore, Bookshelf + Roomdivider Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, 2014
Located in Munster, NRW
Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have designed Planophore 2014 for Vitra as a dual-purpose - room divider and bookshelf. Its open sides create a horizontal emphasis underscored by the solid shelves with rounded bottom edges, which are reminiscent of aircraft wings and appear to float on the vertical panels. This also explains the name of the shelf: the original Planophore made its debut in 1871 as the first stable model aeroplane...
Category

2010s German Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Bronze and Walnut Interval Bookshelf by Ahser Israelow
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Asher Israelow designs work for the urban explorer. All the materials are ethically and locally sourced, building upon the importance of origins. Each piece narrates the story...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Shelves

Materials

Bronze

Onda Hand Carved, Sculptural, Floating Shelf in Cherry Wood by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Onda, is a gently flowing wave-like creation, designed to bring sensual curves into your living environment. This sculptural, wooden piece can be used purely as wall decoration or, w...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Walnut

Pair of Late 20th Century Mahogany Hanging Wall Shelves
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Late 20th Century Mahogany Hanging Wall Shelves in very good Condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Mahogany

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 L" 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

Bedside Table Stool Little AccardiBuccheri Medulum Wood Sheet Metal
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 and crafted drink cabinet, sideboards, shelves, bookcase in walnut
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Carabottino is a collection made of a clever play of textures and transparencies, that makes these objects the centerpiece of any environment. A storage unit, a mirror or a table that establishes a dialogue between inside and outside. A wooden grating in a two-dimensional form traditionally made with wooden slats, carabottino is considered to be an accessory element of relative importance, similar to window and door...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Amuneal's Collector's 1 Bay Shelving Unit
Located in New York, NY
This single bay version of Amuneal’s Collector’s shelving unit features solid machined brass fittings and posts in a warm brass finish. The unit mou...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

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

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

Mies Shelving Unit 5PC
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Shelving Unit. Polished Stainless Steel combined with Cerused Oak Panels, featuring clear 2" thick acrylic shelves. Hand-crated in the US. Custom Sizes available upon request
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Onda Strata, Sculptural, Floating Shelf in Cherry Wood by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Onda Strata progresses from the original Onda concept through the introduction of five additional layers creating a greater sense of movement. The inspiration for this piece, which i...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

Peristylo 2 Shelves by Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
Peristylo 3 Shelves by Oscar Tusquets Dimensions: D 40 x W 92 x H 141 cm. Materials: Solid ash wood and stained black wood. Shelving and base in solid ash wood and turned vertical supports in stained black wood. Available with or without baseboard. Also available with 4 shelves, 2 shelves and 1 shelf. Please contact us. Classical principles of architecture inform this simple unit of shelves, bringing together horizontal and vertical elements in perfect harmony. Columnata took its name from its underlying inspiration and a frequent reference in Tusquets’ work, the column. Within this vertical structure, the horizontal shelves can be arranged in various formations— symmetrical and asymmetrical, wall-hung or free-standing. The final units are functional and refined, ideal for book-lovers and anyone who enjoys such compositional harmony. Oscar Tusquets describes himself as an architect by training, a designer by adaptation, a painter by vocation, and a writer through the desire to make friends. Graduating from Barcelona’s Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura in 1965, Tusquets became a member of Studi Per. Together, they founded BD in 1972, and he set about designing furniture and objects, soon recognised by the Spanish National Design Award. BD Barcelona In 1972, a group of young architects and designers from Barcelona started BD. Our aim was to produce and market furniture...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Ash

Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Pylon" Shelving System in Ash
Located in Chicago, IL
The “Pylon” profile comprises overhanging, interleaved shelves grounded by stacked, conical spacers. These solid elements add visual weight and totemic structure to the shelf system’...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel

Gravità Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
The Gravità solid wood bookcase is a simple and linear composition that conveys a feeling of suspension. It uses magnetic vertical elements to hide...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

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

Ledoux Shelving, a Custom, Architectiural, Modular Shelving System by Piscina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The modular design of our Ledoux Shelving system allows for it to be uniquely imagined and effortlessly reconfigured. Introduced just this year, Piscina won Best new Designer and Bes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Ash, Mahogany, Maple, Oak

Contemporary Asymmetrical Bookcase with Teak Wall Panel and Aluminum Shelving
Located in Chicago, IL
Bookcase unit to be horizontally or vertically positioned. Shelves in aluminium varnished folded sheet metal. Back panel in teak wood. Designed by Giuseppe Vigano for Tisettanta ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Six Tier Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Six Tier Etagere, built from hardwood solids with beveled, ebonized, posts and rails. The shelves feature flat-cut paldao with a light transparent ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Large Lighted Walnut and Glass Display Cabinet with Glass Shelves & Brass Detail
Located in Kansas City, MO
Walnut and glass lighted display / storage cabinet with five adjustable glass shelves (only three are shown in the photos). All parts are original. Access to the interior is through ...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
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 Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Noviembre XVIII Large Wall Shelf in Burned Oak Wood, by Joel Escalona
Located in Estado de Mexico CP, Estado de Mexico
Noviembre XVIII Large Wall Shelf in Burned Oak Wood, by Joel Escalona The Noviembre collection is inspired by the creative values of Constantin Branc...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak, Wood, Hardwood

Bench in metal and wood - by Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a collection made up of folded sheet metal structures and solid wood shelves fixed by a joint. Whether it is our bench, stool, console or bookcase, Vodo will be perfect for any environment thanks to its clean line and lightness. Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Sheet Metal

e15 Arie Shelf by Arik Levy
Located in New York, NY
With its striking concept, shelf Arie is an ideal storage solution. A multitude of seamless combinations are possible without apparent visual repetitions. In- and outside corners can...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

e15 Mate Shelf by Florian Asche
By e15, Florian Asche
Located in New York, NY
The distinct solid wood shelf unit Mate is leant against the wall and thus expresses casual spontaneity. The shelves are fastened to the backboard by means of a classic dovetail join...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Wall Hanging Shelving Unit in Solid Oak by Elliott Marks
Located in Glendale, CA
Solid white oak wall hanging shelves. Thin shelves and rounded faces add visual lightness. Meticulous precise joinery creates a sturdy surface. Hardware h...
Category

2010s Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood

System P4 Shelves by Part Studio Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
System P4 shelves by Part Studio Atelier Dimensions: H148 x W200 x D26 cm Materials: wood chestnut Also available in sonian wood beech. Images by: Valentina Stellino System P4...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Shelves

Materials

Chestnut

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

Wall Mounted Sit/Stand Desk "Muro" in Oak and Stainless Steel by Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall anchored stainless steel rails support three wood shelves of varying depths. Each shelf serves a different function: shallow for small objects and pictures, medium for books and larger objects...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Glimpse Wall Mounted Shelf with Mirror & Coat Rack
Located in London, GB
Most at home by your front door or entryway, the Glimpse Wall Mounted Shelf offers a minimal and practical solution to storing essentials items you need daily. A convenient place to leave your keys, meaning you’ll never misplace them again, and a spot to hang your coat or even your dog’s leash. Its addition of a mirror allows you a quick glimpse of yourself before you head out the door and adds a subtle stream of light...
Category

2010s Asian Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Contemporary Cossyra Brown Concrete Bookcase by Angelica Lorenzi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handmade unique bookcase combines a wooden skeleton with a brown pigmented cement coat. The irregularity of the texture unique to this piece give ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Concrete

Manhattan Bookcase by Marmi Serafini
Located in Geneve, CH
Manhattan bookcase by Marmi Serafini Materials: Oak Grey marble, wood, brass, metal. Dimensions: D 50 x W 102 x H 175 cm Available in other marbles. As the famous New York skyline, ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Column Shelving, Low by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column shelving, low by WL Ceramics. Design: David Derksen Materials: porcelain, dark brown effect glaze, corten steel Dimensions: (70 x 25 ceramic), 150 x 40 x 70 Also availab...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Wave Shelve by Hamilton Holmes
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Shelve by Hamilton Holmes Oxalino Collection 2020 Dimensions: H 203.2, W 101.6, D 35.6 cm Materials: White oak and brass screw This is a freestanding shelving system made from tubular parts and flat shelves...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Magazine Rack by Sofia Alvarado
Located in Geneve, CH
Magazine Rack by Sofia Alvarado 1 of 3 limited edition Materials: Metal Dimensions: 86cm (H) x 32cm (W) x 32cm (D) FI is an ornamental artist who embodies the creative revelation of...
Category

2010s Panamanian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Centina Totem Shelves by Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Centina totem shelves by Oeuffice Edition: 8 + 2AP 2011 Dimensions: 86 x 86 x 205 cm Materials: Solid handcrafted stained oak The Centina totem re...
Category

2010s English Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Medium, 2
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Pine

Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Medium, 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco Materials: Pinewood with oil / wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Pine

Shelve "Gridlock" kaidan dansu
Located in Carnota, A Coruña, Galicia
The design of this shelf from black walnut with an oil finish is based on the traditional Japanese furniture piece called Hako Kaidan or...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Customizable White Oak Minimal Bookshelf by SinCa Design
Located in Tolland, CT
This bookshelf is handmade with traditional joinery and high level of craftsmanship. Thanks to its clean design and minimal elements it is easy to customize. It work well by it own or you can cover...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Comet, Hand Carved, Sculptural Floating Shelf in Ash Wood by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Comet catches the movement of light across the sky, in this angular, twisting floating shelf, which along with Corona, features in the Celestial Series. Its tapering form creates a s...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Ash

Bench Sitting Cara\Davide Medulum Pre-Composite Veneered Plywood
Located in Meolo, Venezia
The basics of carpentry involve the mechanical and manual processing of wood, commonly in board-format where the most simple and fundamental processes are straight and inclined s...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Plywood

Butterfly Wall Shelf by Rejo Studio
Located in Riyadh, SA
A unique wall storage unit, featuring curves on the both sides to accommodate all your items on every side. Dimension. W 76 x D 30 x H 60 cm Mate...
Category

2010s Saudi Arabian Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Room Divider Shelf by Olaf von Bohr for Kartell, Italy, 1970s
Located in Greding, DE
Large room divider shelf in white designed by Olaf von Bohr for Kartell. Discolored in places. Embossed stamp on the bottom.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plywood

Mid-Century Modern Adjustable Birch & Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String Sweden
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

Contemporary Shelving Room Divider "Paso" in Walnut by Casey Lurie USA
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 Shelves

Materials

Wood

Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "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

Metal, Brass, Stainless 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 ship...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Pair of Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcases
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern herringbone parquetry bookcase in our dark 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 Shelves

Materials

Oak

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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