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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Style: Modern
Customizable Items Only
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 05 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 05 by Lee Sisan
Dimensions: W 64 x D 59 x H 110 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone
Each piece is made to order ...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Steel
Tapparelle Sideboard, Mustard Yellow by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, mustard yellow by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.75 D.50 W.160 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Blue / Grey by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, blue / grey by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.55 D.40 W.40 cm
Materials: container on wheels with plinth and “tapparella” sliding shutte...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Oak
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparellelarge cabinet, cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.135, D.46, W.78 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Libra Shelf 60 by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Libra Shelf 60 by Colé Italia with Martinelli/Venezia
Dimensions: H.42 D.20 W.55 cm
Materials: Shaped solid oak wall shelf; black lacquered iron stirrups
...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 03 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 03 by Lee Sisan
Dimensions: W 54 x D 54 x H 65 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone
Each piece is made to order a...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Steel
Tapparelle Sideboard, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.75 D.50 W.160 cm.
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak. Ma...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Black Briccola-Ge Shelf by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Briccola-ge Shelf by Colé Italia with Miki Astori
Dimensions: H.25; D.47 W.100
Materials: wall angular hanged writing desk; wall lacquered supports in wood pulp. 2 solid oak ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Ceramic, Oak
Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Black by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, black 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
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, Azure by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Medium cabinet, Azure by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.115 D.42 W.42 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak.
Mat...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.55 D.40 W.40 cm
Materials: Container on wheels with plinth and “tapparella” sliding shutter...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Oak
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.115 D.42 W.42 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid o...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Proportions of Stone Shelf Level 07 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of stone shelf level 07 by Lee Sisan
Dimensions: W 76 x D 76 x H 160 cm
Materials: stainless steel, natural stone
Each piece is made to or...
Category
2010s South Korean Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Steel
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Blue / Gray by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle large cabinet, blue / gray by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.135, D.46, W.78 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Red Briccola-Ge Shelf by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Briccola-ge Shelf by Colé Italia with Miki Astori
Dimensions: H.25; D.47 W.100
Materials: wall angular hanged writing desk; wall lacquered supports in wood pulp. 2 Solid oak sh...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Ceramic, Oak
Black Bronze Marble T-Square Shelf by Michael Anastassiades
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble T-square shelf by Michael Anastassiades
Materials: Top in natural Arabescato white marble. Triangular tray support in black nickel-plated bronze o...
Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Metal
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Azure by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Lacquered in Azure by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.60, D.60, W.22 cm
Materials: Container with “tapparella” sl...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Large Polished Brass Floating Shelve Signed by Chanel Kapitanj
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished brass floating shelves signed by Chanel Kapitanj
A Minimalist shelving system. Like floating objects on the wall. These thin and aesth...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Sand White by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Lacquered in Sand White by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.60, D.60, W.22 cm
Materials: Container with “tapparell...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Black by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle hanging unit, Lacquered in black by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.60, D.60, W.22 cm
Materials: Container with “tapparella” ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Sideboard, Sand White by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, sand white by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.75 D.50 W.160 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak. Mat...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Hialina Shelfs by Lluís Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
Hialina shelfs by Lluís Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Dimensions:
D 24 x W 250 x H 9 cm (for each shelf.)
Materials: Support in anodized matt silver aluminum hung to the wall. Transparent...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, Mustard Yellow by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle medium cabinet, mustard yellow by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.115 D.42 W.42 cm.
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in soli...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Black by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Large Cabinet, Black by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.135, D.46, W.78 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak.
Ma...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Sideboard, Blue / Grey by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, blue / grey by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina.
Dimensions: H.75 D.50 W.160 cm.
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Set of 2, Libra Shelves 120 by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Libra Shelves 120 by Colé Italia with Martinelli/Venezia
Dimensions: H.42 D.20 W.124 cm
Materials: Shaped solid oak wall shelf; black lacquered iron stirrups
Also avai...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Slice Etagère by Cedric Breisacher
Located in Geneve, CH
Slice Etagère by Cedric Breisacher
Dimension: W 60 x D 40 x H 130 cm
Materials: Sycamore, Indigo Dye, Oil
Designer-sculptor, Cedric Breisacher has an atypical path. Self-taught man...
Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
Gravità Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
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
Tapparelle Sideboard, Black by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, Black by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.75 D.50 W.160 cm
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid oak. Matt lac...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Cherry Red by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Hanging unit, Lacquered in cherry red by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.60, D.60, W.22 cm
Materials: Container with “tappare...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Mustard Yellow by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, mustard yellow by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.55 D.40 W.40 cm
Materials: Container on wheels with plinth and “tapparella” sliding shu...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak, Glass
Modern Lage Bookcase Set/2, Brass Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Lage Bookcases, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Blue / Gray by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle Hanging Unit, Lacquered in Blue / Gray by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.60, D.60, W.22 cm
Materials: Container with “tapparel...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Set of 2, Libra Shelves 60 by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Libra shelves 60 by Colé Italia with Martinelli/Venezia
Dimensions: H.42 D.20 W.55 cm
Materials: Shaped solid oak wall shelf; black lacquered iron stirrups
Also availa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Tapparelle Medium Cabinet, Blue / Gray by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle medium cabinet, blue / gray by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina
Dimensions: H.115 D.42 W.42 cm.
Materials: Container with legs and “tapparella” sliding shutter in solid o...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Onda Strata, Sculptural, Floating Shelf in Cherry Wood by David Tragen
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
Wall Mounted Console w/ Doors, Ivory 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
Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Pylon" Shelving System in Ash
By Casey Lurie
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
Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 L" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
By Casey Lurie
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
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
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
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 116" Shelves & 12 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
Pair of Transitional Mahogany Étagères
Located in Westwood, NJ
Transitional mahogany Étagère, a wonderful large wooden bookcase or room divider fitting in perfectly with any modern or traditional decor.
With a traditional molded cornice top, f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
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
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, White and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
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 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, White and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 52" Shelves & 6 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
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Pure Orange 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
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
Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcase - Dark
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
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
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
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 Herringbone Oak Bookcase, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern herringbone parquetry bookcase in our light 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
Pink 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
Fabric, Wood
Wall Mounted Sit/Stand Desk "Muro" in Oak and Stainless Steel by Casey Lurie
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
Modern Rustic Oak Etagere - Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern rustic-style dark oak etagere with five oak-crafted display shelves firmly supported by a crossed "X" stretcher at its back. It is secured with a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Mirrored Pair Contemporary Shelving "Paso" in Walnut by Casey Lurie
By Casey Lurie
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 secti...
Category
2010s North American Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Comet, Hand Carved, Sculptural Floating Shelf in Ash Wood by David Tragen
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
Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
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
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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