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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Cheba bookcase, in lacquered metal snd plywood, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Tables on one or more levels, furnish ironically without remaining unnoticed. Ideal companions for public and private environments and contexts. The structure is a curved metal roun...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Architectural Italian Wall-Mounted Shelving System
Located in North Miami, FL
Rare Industrial Italian wall-mounted library or shelving system that is completely customize-able to your design needs. A long shelving unit fitted with seven powder coated metal posts...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

Contemporary Book Shelf Stand in Brazilian Hardwood by Leo Strauss
Located in Atibaia, BR
The book shelf column is a piece of unique construction and design. Its geometric shapes, straight angles and simple lines, significant characteristics of the modernist movement in B...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves & cabinet in solid walnut 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

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

Modern Chrome & Glass Arched Etagere Display Shelving Unit, Mid-20th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Figural Nude Putti giltwood Candelabra Lamp. Height to the top of the base is 20 inches. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Gold Period: Early 20th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Modern Free-Standing Glass Shelf
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tempered Glass Shelf. 4 glass shelves fit into the curved column cut-outs. Very solid design that sits very well! Columns can be adjusted a bit as to where they sit. 2 Lower shel...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass

DeCastelli Monolìte Divider by Tipstudio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monolìte is an architectonic partition that, like a solid body smoothed by nature’s erosive elements, evokes geological formations along its surface. This partition is a vertical el...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Grey Wall Mounted Hypótila Shelving with Silver Aluminium Finish EX4
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Materials: Aluminium Dimensions: D 26 cm x W 400 cm x H 210 cm The Hypostila shelving was designed in 1979 by Lluis Clotet and Oscar Tusquets to support important amounts o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

AS4 modular wall unit 22" wide bookshelf in solid walnut and blackened steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
The AS4 modular shelving unit is handmade using solid hardwood with dovetail joinery, and solid steel. This single-bay shelving unit can easily be rearranged, expanded upon, and rel...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

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

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

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This includes 5 84" Shelves & 15 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adjust the length on a per ...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Hanging Cabinet by George Nakashima
Located in San Francisco, CA
This rare and unique walnut hanging cabinet by George Nakashima is a beautiful and functional piece of modern furniture with sliding doors. The cabinet features an overhang top with one free edge above two doors that conceal one adjustable shelf. Crafted from high-quality American black walnut wood, this cabinet has been fully restored at the Nakashima workshop...
Category

1950s American Vintage 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

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

California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 80's light blue cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produced i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Contemporary Bookcase Lacquered, Veneer Oak/Walnut
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Modular bookcase that is available in various sizes. It consists of shelves, back panels and fronts in the shape of a cross. The back panels and the shelves can be either wood veneer...
Category

2010s European Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Manhattan Italian Travertine Marble Shelve Design Contemporary Collectible Spain
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Manhattan Italian Travertine Marble Shelve Design Contemporary Collectible Spain The Manhattan Bookshelf is more than a shelving unit—it is a collectible design piece, a functional s...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Crystal, Travertine, Marble

Pair of Chrome, Brass and Glass Etageres
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a wonderful pair of modern etageres. They're made of chrome with brass accents. They have 4 glass shelves. We also have a matching coffee table as seen in the advertisement. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Collector’s Textured Brass and Oak Wine Unit with Bar Cabinet By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Collector’s Wine Unit with Bar Cabinet highlights our carved oak wine shelves as a perfect way to store and display your favorite bottles. Our p...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Oak and Brass Bookcase Shelving with Credenza by Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Oak and Brass Bookcase Shelving with Credenza is the single bay version of Amuneal’s collector’s shelving unit featuring solid machined brass fitti...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Customizable ClassiCon Paris 4 Shelves in Walnut 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

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

Mirrored Pair Contemporary Shelving "Paso" in Walnut 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

Large Dassi Mahogany Wall Unit Bookcase, 4 doors, Part of Unique Living Room 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Important wall unit bookcase and bar, cabinet, 1940. Executed by Dassi and attributed to Ico Parisi Unique living room Stunning details "grissinato mahogany wood" Part of unique living room designed to commission Mahogany, maple wood, brass details this wall unit consist in two units Measures: H 168cm, 295 x 39 cm. top unit: shelves, two large doors...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Amuneal’s Collector’s 4 Bay Office Unit
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

Grey Wall Mounted Hypótila Shelving with Silver Aluminium Finish Ex.6
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Materials: Aluminium Dimensions: D 26 cm x W 300 cm x H 75 cm The Hypostila shelving was designed in 1979 by Lluis Clotet and Oscar Tusquets to support important amounts of weigh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Cross Bookcase by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Cross Bookcase by Alva Design Materials: MDF veneered in natural wood, Tempered glass 12mm Dimensions: w 141 x h 182 x d 41,2 cm Finishing: Cristal glass Wood (availa...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Polished Aluminum Obelisk Etageres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful pair of highly polished Aluminum Obelisk with five shelves. The bottom shelf is mirror and the others are clear glass.
Category

20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Large Bookshelf by Neri & Hu
Located in Geneve, CH
Large bookshelf by Neri & Hu Dimensions: W 201 x D 55 x H 200 cm Materials: Canaletto walnut veneer wood Doors: Dark green, prune, warm white lacquered mdf Founded in 2004 by p...
Category

2010s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Other

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

AS6 wall unit 48" wide shelves in solid walnut 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

Unison Vinyl Record Storage Cabinet in Natural Ash
Located in Nyack, NY
The Unison vinyl storage cabinet is a perfect stand alone solution for vinyl record storage or it also makes a great companion to any Unison Record Rack a...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Ash

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 Minimal Sculptural Metal Copper Corner Shelves, USA, in Stock
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural single copper metal minimal corner shelf is perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom. In stock: These Minimalist copper shelves,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Copper

shelve by Marcel Gascoin edited by Arhec
Located in PARIS, FR
This oak shelve from 1949 is an emblematic piece of Marcel Gascoin's work and of the housing Reconstruction period. Marcel Gascoin, born August 24, 1907 in Le Havre and died October ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Mobili Sintetici bench, in veneered plywood, by Cara\Davide for Medulum
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

Room Collection Shelf, Pine Wood Storage Blocks by Erik Olovsson & Kyuhyung Cho
Located in Stockholm, SE
Room Collection is a shelving system, various geometric voids inspired by architecture and the objects they can hold. When all the elements of ROOM are combined it forms either a long shelf...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Shelves

Materials

Pine

Elemen Shelving Solid Walnut Shelving System, Custom Arrangements Possible
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elemen shelving system features solid walnut shelving with a gem cut edge, joined with single vertical members to produce a striking and dynamic visual statement. The concealed w...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Black Primitive Bookshelf by Studio Nucleo, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Primitive bookshelf was one of the strongest and most iconic products designed by Studio Nucleo. Initially made as a limited-edition product, t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Maple, Extra Long, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 116" shelves and 16 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can a...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Gold Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ready to be that statement piece you need in the room, this gold cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is b...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 M" 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

Contemporary Inori Glass Bookcase by Setsu & Shinobu Ito for Fiam Italia
By FIAM
Located in Chicago, IL
The Inori modular bookcase, designed for Fiam by Setsu & Shinobu Ito, is the first system in the furniture industry entirely made of glass, and composed of modular elements. Showr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Gingko Bookshelf System in Metal and Hardwood
Located in Agrate Brianza (MB), Lombardy
This exhibitor design pays honor to Ginko Biloba, an elegant, ancient, regal, exceptional tree with magnificent fan-shaped leaves. The matte black painted iron structure is floor-to-ceiling tensioned with an Expansion system. The carved wood shelves...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Iron

AS4 modular wall unit 32" wide bookshelf in solid walnut and blackened steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
The AS4 modular shelving unit is handmade using solid hardwood with dovetail joinery, and solid steel. This single-bay shelving unit can easily be rearranged, expanded upon, and rel...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Step Bookcase, in wood and brass, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Step is a modular bookcase with brass structure, consisting of welded metal plate and tubes. Three different heights of the columns allow to create a variety of compositions. The shelves are assembled through simple joints. Brass uprights, like tape attached to the wall, support thick, apparently suspended shelves...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Red Painted Wooden Shelves by Walter Wirz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s , Set of 2
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of German manufacturing shelves produced by Wilhelm Renz in the 1960s on Walter Wirz project. Structure in red painted wood. Good general conditions, small signs and short comin...
Category

1960s German Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Amuneal's Collector's 2 Bay Shelving Unit
Located in New York, NY
This two bay version of Amuneal’s collector’s shelving unit features solid machined brass fittings and posts in a warm brass finish. The unit mounts...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

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

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, Modern Wood Wall Shelf, Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price includes 5 84" long white shelves with 15 white brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, brack...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

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 bookcase was designed to be the focal point o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hobart Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Hobart bookcase captures the natural ebb and flow of life through its ingenious geometr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Oak Brass Shelving unit
Located in Riga, LV
Crafted with utmost attention to detail, this shelving unit is a unique piece of functional decor. A magnificent addition to a modern home, where it will be eye-catching and function...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Oak Brass Shelving unit
Contemporary Oak Brass Shelving unit
$8,563 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Vodo bookcase, in oak and metal, by Accardi 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 ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Sheet Metal

AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in solid walnut 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

Vodo bench, in oak and metal, by Accardi 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

Wall Unit in Matt Lacquer & Wood by David Lopez Quincoces for Lema
Located in Chicago, IL
LT 40 wall unit by David Lopez Quincoces for Lema Modular system with versatile aesthetics and function LT40 is a fully customisable modular system of containers and wall elements available in four configurations: floor, sideboard, wall-mounted and panelling. Ideal in any room of the house, the four configurations can be liberally combined and supplemented with a series of additional elements: double side containers, benches and storage solutions for multimedia equipment, tops in marble and stone, box containers in wood or glass and an integrated LED lighting system. Also available with the push and pull opening further enhancing the pureness of its essential lines. Another unique feature of the LT40 system is the wooden LT_FRAME containers, which can be attached to the wall and have a strong graphic impact, bringing colour to any space. They are available in two sizes and six predefined configurations featuring closed and open sections, while a LED lighting system adds definition to the profile. The compositions are finished with 10 mm side and top panels, which are cut to fit as snugly as a bespoke suit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Poul Cadovius, Shelf Unit, 1968
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Shelf unit - Poul Cadovius - Circa 1968 Midnight blue teak and melamine 3 shelves Measures: H 190 x L 84 x P 44.
Category

1960s European Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Teak

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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