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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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 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, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Vitulus Sculptural, Hand Carved, Floating Shelf in Maple Wood by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
The elegant balletic movement of a seal (vitulus in Latin), darting through the waves was the initial spark for this sculptural floating shelf. I was looking to make a piece that mar...
Category
2010s European Modern Shelves
Materials
Maple
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
Amuneal’s Collector’s Wine Unit with Bar Cabinet
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This single bay collector’s shelving unit highlights our carved oak wine shelves as a perfect way to store and display your favorite bottles. Our precisio...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Amuneal’s Collector’s 4 Bay Office Unit
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Four bays of our collector’s shelving system are used to create this modular office configuration with desk, adjustable display shelving, drawers and la...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
21st Century Matteo Zorzenoni Bookcase Wood Bones Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Bones bookcase, Colorama Collection
Design by Matteo Zorzenoni for Scapin Collezioni
Soft lines and visual lightness are the key traits that dist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Ash
Blue 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
Modern Rustic Oak Etagere, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern rustic-style light 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
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
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
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
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 contemporary design to create a refined piece of wooden furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
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
ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf C in Walnut by Taidgh O’neill
Located in New York, NY
Sculpture or shelf, storage surface or object – the various models of the Taidgh series created by the Californian designer Taidgh O’Neill move within these poles. Surfaces provide r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Modern Hobart Bookcase, Walnut Veneer, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Hobart modern bookcase was born to mimic the natural ebb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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
Contemporary Bookcase Floor to Ceiling Storage Unit Brass Marble Bookshelf
Located in Milan, IT
Bookcase 01
Floor to ceiling bookcase featuring 3 back-painted glass doors colored in cold tones, marble or onyx top, lacquered wooden interior and brass shelving. Each of the three...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
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
Contemporary Bookcase Onyx Top Floor to Ceiling Storage Unit Brass Bookshelf
Located in Milan, IT
Bookcase 01
Floor to ceiling bookcase featuring 3 back-painted glass doors colored in red tones, onyx or marble top, lacquered wooden interior and brass shelving. Each of the three ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Onyx, Brass
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
Perforated Small Low Storage Box, Birch Wood Perforated Box by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wooden storage box made in holed solid birch wood. Large holes creates a distinct graphic look and allows light to flow through. The boxes are light and easy to hold. They work both ...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
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
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Vermilion Lacquered Beech
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
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 Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Light Pink 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 Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Grass Green Lacquered Beech
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
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
Solid Stained Oak Verticale Shelving Unit by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid stained red oak verticale shelving unit by Design Frères. Comes in 3 easy to transport and assemble elements.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
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
Contemporary Bookcase Floor to Ceiling Storage Unit Brass Marble Bookshelf
Located in Milan, IT
Bookcase 01
Floor to ceiling bookcase featuring 3 back-painted glass doors colored in neutral tones, marble or onyx top, lacquered wooden interior and brass shelving. Each of the th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Ruby Red 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, g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Oyster White Lacquered Beech
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
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 Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Vermilion 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
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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