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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: Gray
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
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in white lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
TRANSFIX Storage Unit in Glass, by Marc Krusin, Kensaku Oshiro from Glas Italia
Located in Macherio, IT
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
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
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in Hague blue lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
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
Mirth Shelves/Divider
Located in Portland, OR
The extraordinary Mirth Shelving/Room Divider is a harmonious blend of functionality and artistic expression. Crafted from concrete, finished to an impeccably high smooth polish, its...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Cement
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Lucite Etagere
Located in west palm beach, FL
A stunning vintage Boho etagere. A full lucite frame with a clean and modern shape. Inset glass shelves. Chrome hardware. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Shelves
Materials
Lucite
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Smoke 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 Crystal 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
Fragmented Minimalist Bookshelf in Stainless Steel
By Objects With Narratives
Located in London, GB
A window is historically understood as a condition to observe the world. Today computers and smartphones are our new windows to perceive society. These screens try to idealize everyt...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Modern Chrome & Brass Etagere
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer (German/American, 1931-1991) Modern chrome and brass etagere with thick glass shelving.
Dimensions: 82" H x 63" W x 14" D.
Dealer: S138XX.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Romeo Rega Style Chrome & Glass Shelves
By Romeo Rega
Located in New York, NY
Romeo Rega style modern chrome and glass shelves. In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Acquired from a Manhattan estate.
Dimensions: 78" H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Wall mounted aluminium shelving, minamilist custom design (1 Unit : 15CM/1 M )
Located in Barcelona, ES
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional designs. With depths of 15cm or 26cm, its ideal for kitchens, offices, foyers and ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Yuma Kano Rust Harvest Mirror Acrylic Art
By Yuma Kano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shelf designed by Yuma Kano.
Front and left side are mirrors. Base is steel.Brown and green mosaics are acrylics. These acrylic are what rust has been transformed. Artist calls it "...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Shelves
Materials
Mirror
Long Modern Wall Mounted Minimalist Shelves in Aluminum (1 Unit : 15CM/1.5 M )
Located in Barcelona, ES
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional designs. With depths of 15cm or 26cm, its ideal for kitchens, offices, foyers and ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Column Shelving, High by WL Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Column shelving, High by WL CERAMICS
Design: David Derksen
Materials: Porcelain with blue dripping glaze, corten steel
Dimensions: 110 x 25 (ceramic ), 150 x 40 x 110 cm
Also A...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
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
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
Jacques Lucite and Brass Étagère
Located in New York, NY
Clearly cool. Our Jacques collection is the perfect blend of simplicity and glamour, modern and traditional. Shown in crystal clear Lucite with brushed brass. Also available in moody...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Calico Totem Shelves by Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Calico totem shelves by Oeuffice
Edition: 8 + 2AP
2011
Materials: Hand poured hi-grade methacrylate resin
Finishe: Mist Opal/ White
Dimensions: 205...
Category
2010s English Modern Shelves
Materials
Resin
Long Modern Wall Mounted Minimalist Shelves in Aluminum (1 Unit : 15CM /2M )
Located in Barcelona, ES
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional designs. With depths of 15cm or 26cm, its ideal for kitchens, offices, foyers and ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Angle Shelf in Waxed Aluminium by Johan Viladrich
Located in Rotterdam, NL
The Angle Shelf is designed and produced by Johan Viladrich in his atelier in the South of France. Both functional and sculptural, the piece uses the walls to create a unique display...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Long Modern Wall Mounted Minimalist Shelves in Aluminum (1 Unit :26CM /1 M)
Located in Barcelona, ES
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional designs. With depths of 15cm or 26cm, its ideal for kitchens, offices, foyers and ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
Located in Macherio, IT
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
Long Modern Wall Mounted Minimalist Shelves in Aluminum (1 Unit 26CM /1.5 M )
Located in Barcelona, ES
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional designs. With depths of 15cm or 26cm, its ideal for kitchens, offices, foyers and ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Stack Shelf in Brushed Aluminium by Johan Viladrich
Located in Rotterdam, NL
The Stack shelf is an absolute object. Functional and sculptural, its form directly emerges from the systems of mass production. The design is based on ...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Long Modern Wall Mounted Minimalist Shelves in Aluminum ( Unit 26CM /2 M )
Located in Barcelona, ES
Having been in our catalogue for nearly 50 years, the Cornisa shelving is one our most functional designs. With depths of 15cm or 26cm, its ideal for kitchens, offices, foyers and ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Kartell Sundial Modular Bookcase in Crystal and White by Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sundial is the bookcase whose dividing elements, placed in different directions, create a game of unexpected and original proportions.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Resin
Gustave Gautier Shelve
By Gustave Gautier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Shelve by Gustave Gautier (1911-1980) base in metal lacquered black the top is heavy glass ( probably saint gobain glass).
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Iron
Polished Stainless Steel Library/ Room Divider by Willy Rizzo, Signed
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Library/ Room Divider, designed by Willy Rizzo. France, Willy Rizzo, 2012.
A large contemporary bookcase/ room divider made of polished stainless steel construction with smoked glas...
Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Invisible Contemporary Bookshelf
Located in London, GB
Invisible began with a concept of ‘what if a furniture is invisible?’. To make the furniture be considered as if it
doesn’t exist though it actually exists, a space has been made wi...
Category
2010s Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
White 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
Contemporary Shelve Unit by Johan Viladrich, Collectible Design, 2020, Rotterdam
Located in Antwerp, BE
Collectible design; Contemporary; Johan Viladrich; Functional Art; Polyethylene; Sabine Marcelis; Everyday Gallery; French design; Art; Bookcase; Office furniture; Store furniture...
Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Bookshelves, Probably Italy, Late 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of steel bookcases with dish-shaped shelves of light blue glass.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
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
Pair of Modern Stainless Steel and Brass Bookshelf Stands Italy, 1970's
By Romeo Rega
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Modern stainless steel and brass bookshelf stands Italy 1970's. In the style of Romeo Rega. All original in good condition, wear consistent wit...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
ClassiCon Paris 3 Shelves in White and Grey 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
Knots and Tubes Shelve in Marble
Located in London, GB
'Knots and Tubes' celebrates construction and functions like a scaffolding system for the living room or the office. It makes all its connections visible to create a visual depth. Each piece can be extended in all direction to fit any need. It is easily mountable and survives every move to be reassembled in the next place.
Sideboard P...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Steel
Danese Milano Sarmiento Small Shelf in White 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 ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Contemporary 3-Tier Laminate Stainless and Glass Display
Located in Countryside, IL
Contemporary 3-tier laminate stainless and glass display
This display shelf measures: 58 wide x 22 deep x 30 inches high
This piece came from Barney's Chicago Retail Store and is i...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
Lucite / Bamboo / Glass Etagere in the Style of Karl Springer
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted Etagere with clear Lucite posts straddled by hardened bamboo pieces woven to each corner making for nice detailed construction . Five glass shelves that include t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Bamboo, Glass, Lucite
Modern Chrome and Glass Seven Shelf Étagère
Located in Toledo, OH
Modern chrome and 1/4" glass shelf étagère. 7 Shelves. 79" tall x 42" wide x 16" deep.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Glass Étagère attributed to Leon Rosen for Pace Collection
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Polished aluminum and glass display case attributed to Leon Rosen for Pace Collection. Shelves measures 30.25" wide, 15" deep and 75.5" high. Each piece of glass is 3/4" thick. Dista...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Danese Milano Sarmiento Large Shelf in White 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 ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Amuneal’s Collector's Hanging 2 Bay Unit
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This two bay hanging shelving unit is part of Amuneal’s Collector’s Shelving System and features our precision machined brass fittings and tubes in ...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Thin Shelf Single in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Steel Inset Shelves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thin shelf single, blackened steel and stainless steel inset shelves is the newest addition to the Thin series, a collection exploring the potential of rigi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Column '3 lev' Contemporary Shelf in Porcelain and Corten Steel
Located in London, GB
Porcelain cylinders and corten steel plates form the basic elements of this series, with which it is possible to create shelving, side tables, low tables and stools. The porcelain pa...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Into The Woods Bookcase, White and Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
A long walk through a Swedish forest beneath intertwined branches of huge trees, was the inspiration of the dazzling Into the Woods bookcase.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Cosette Contemporary Book Shelf in Metal and Marble
Located in London, GB
The geometric pattern becomes substance in space through the metal wire; an off-scale plot that is revealed in the relationship between Cosette and the observer according to his posi...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Metal
Bisagra Shelve in Steel
Located in London, GB
Bisagra is an polymorphic device for domestic and work environments, a galvanized steel structure composed by 5 frames of 50x190x10cm.
Thought as an alternative to partitions walls...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
DeCastelli Talea 185 Bookshelf in Copper with 4 Wooden Shelves by LucidiPevere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thin perpendicular supports fall from the ceiling to be anchored to the wall in delicate curves. Like climbing vines, they create a new kind of suspended architecture. Each branch becomes a support for one or more shelves in a modular composition with clear botanical inspiration. The gaze bounces between the dark hues of the Gabon Ebony...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Copper
ClassiCon Paris 2 Shelves in Light Grey 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
Ghidini 1961 Legs Bookshelves in Crystal and Brass by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Bookshelves in crystal and brass.
The designer imagines a turning point in the use of such a precious finishes such as polished brass: from the idea of almost a unique object in its...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Crystal
21st Century Fitzroy Bookcase in Travertino Marble by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
The Fitzroy line, consisting of a bookcase, console and coffee tables, epitomizes the industrial style which runs throughout the collection. These pieces, with a 1970s feel, are made of travertine, brass and smoked glass.
Fitzroy bookcase with structure in open-pore Travertino marble. Structural bars in matt brass. Coupled glass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Acrylic Shelf with Gold Elements and 4 Columns
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality acrylic shelf with 4 columns with gold elements.
Made in Italy.
Slight used, otherwise good condition.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Acrylic
21st Century Matrix Bookcase in Brushed Bronze finish by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Between art and design, Matrix bookcase, with its captivating style, becomes the protagonist of the setting with a contemporary allure. Like a stunning sculptural element, it’s the r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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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