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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Karl Springer "Round Leg Etagere" in Solid Lucite and Steel 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Round Leg Etagere" in solid lucite and brushed and polished steel with 5 customized glass shelves by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship of this ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

HUI series - Set of 3 Shelfs
Located in Miami Beach, FL
WKND Lab, a duo designer studio founded by Eunji Jun and Halin Lee. WKND Lab’s work field varies from material research, object, to furniture design. All with material-driven narrati...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Shelves

Materials

Natural Fiber, Plastic, Acrylic, Paper

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

Pair of Modern Black Bookcases in Solid Wood
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern black bookcases in solid wood. Finished in a satin black finish with sleek modern styling. Sold in a pair, 4 total available. P...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black Brackets and Shelves, In Stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is a for a custom solid black iteration of our Strut Shelving. It has 3 black shelves and 6 black brackets. It was used in our office as a display piece for a little whi...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Sarreid Wall Shelf, Carved Wood, Gargoyle, Lion, Made in Spain
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Sarreid carved wood shelves. Can be used with glass top as seen in pictures or without. Made in Spain. Measures: Glass top is 108 (length)...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Wood

Proportions of Stone Shelf 01 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of stone shelf 01 by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 110 x D 35 x H 150 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone Each piece is made to order a...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Shelves

Materials

Stone, Steel

Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj
Located in Geneve, CH
Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj Dimensions: D 62 x W 40 x H 100 cm Materials: Metal Unique Piece This collection aims to offer completely unique pieces. Each is di...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Red Sculptural "Rocky" Credenza, Charles Kalpakian
Located in Geneve, CH
Red sculptural "Rocky" credenza - Charles Kalpakian Dimensions: W 140 x D 36 x H 95 cm Materials: steel Different colors are available Rocky is a sculptural piece. It can be used as a console or a credenza, but will also accommodate books and objects to become the most graphic display or bookshelf. Designer Charles Kalpakian plays with our perception of space and volume with an object that reveals itself and changes according to the observer’s point of view. Charles Kalpakian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982. After collaborating with prestigious agencies including the Ora Ito...
Category

2010s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

7 Piece Travertine + Glass Sculptural Shelf, Italy 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous seven piece sculptural shelf likely custom designed by an interior designer for an Italian residence. This 1970s tiered shelf is both maximal and minimal. The cone form, p...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Travertine

Filing Tree Mobile Storage Unit, Designed by Laurie Beckerman in 2007
Located in New York, NY
This is a unique and highly functional mobile storage unit. It's an ideal place for files and papers that need to be easily accessed from work areas. Designed in 2007. Made-to-ord...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

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

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Italian Modern Chromed Steel and Smoked Glass Self Supporting Bookcase, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed steel and smoked glass self supporting bookcase, 1970s. Self-supporting bookcase with structure entirely in chromed steel, w...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Bronze Glass Light Up Shelf Étagère with Smoked Acrylic Accents
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage Disco era glass light-up etagere with bronze wash frame and smoked acrylic accents. The shelf features a unique light-up base and a large spotlight...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black, Extra Long, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 116" shelves and 20 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

Large Modern Shelving Unit
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our La Scalia shelving unit is a large custom built bookshelf with four pillars supporting floating shelves. Each pillar is wrapped in a textured vinyl that comes in five different color ways: Platinum, Silver, Rose Gold, Old Bronze and Iron. Each shelf shown is lacquered in white dove with a glossy finish. Customers choose color, finish and size. The unit is a functional modern design perfect for storing books and home decor accents...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj
Located in Geneve, CH
Floral Shelf with Three Plates by Chanel Kapitanj Dimensions: D 62 x W 40 x H 100 cm Materials: Metal Unique Piece This collection aims to offer completely unique pieces. Each is di...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

2023 Ron Arad for Moroso Z Shelf Kit Set of 4 Library Right
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Z-shelf (right), originally designed by Ron Arad. These examples were produced by Moroso in Italy circa 2023. The shelves are made completely of black sheet steel. The list...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Opinion Ciatti Henry III Triangular Wall Shelf Right
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Italian Modern Colored Solid Wood Self-Supporting Bookcase, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern colored solid wood self-supporting bookcase, 1980s. Self-supporting bookcase with structure entirely in solid wood composed of two v...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Small Bookshelf by Neri & Hu
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Bookshelf by Neri&Hu Dimensions: W 201.8 x D 55 x H 123 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

Contemporary Shelf in 3D printed Silica Sand, Amorphous Solids, by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Amorphous Solids is shapeless and without order. The project is an exploration of the physical and digital and between production and craft. Amorphous Solids are direct translations of hand-drawn motifs. Organic and immediate, the extruded structures are intersected with straight lines to create cell-like chambers. Each chamber suggests a place for something, but for what is unclear. The amorphous forms can be developed into endless new structures. 3D printed in silica and phenol resin, the granular surface texture is a result of a process typically used in casting mold...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Shelves

Materials

Other

Modern Red Fiberglass Vintage Shelf The Guzzini Stone Enzo Calabrese 1980s Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage shelf for compact discs from red lacquered plastic, fits for 65 pieces of compact discs, 1980s Italy. The wall shelf was designed by Enzo C...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Fiberglass

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

2010s Spanish Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Fillet Walnut Shelf by Table Borgi Bastormagi
Located in Geneve, CH
Fillet walnut shelf by Table Borgi Bastormagi Dimensions: W 125 x D 70 x H 180 cm Material: Steel, walnut wood Other materials are available. Fillet...
Category

2010s Lebanese Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf B in Mirrored Gold by Francesco Messina for Cypraea
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Francesco Maria Messina The collection is characterized by the use of two materials and two textures that are brought together to create a dialogue, mirroring the rela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mauritian Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Custom Made Versace Hardwood & Brass Console Bookcase Display Sideboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this truly stunning custom made to order Versace mahogany and brass console bookcase A very high end commission, this was ordered around 12 years ago by the then richest lady in England, apparently it cost £47,000 new, this was installed in her home in Chelsea which was an extremely grand estate set up solely for visiting guests and family, the property was used sparsely during that period, as such it was recently sold The piece is solid mahogany with a brass gallery around the base shelf which has the Versace mask...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

A Shelf — Modern Wall Shelf in Solid Beech and Steel by Studio Yann Gandon
Located in København S, DK
The A Shelf by Studio Yann Gandon is a modern wall-mounted shelving unit that combines function, clarity, and understated elegance. Designed and handcrafted in Denmark, the piece pai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Stellar Large Table Lamp by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Stella large table lamp by Egg Designs Dimensions: 30 L x 30 D x 80 H cm Materials: Handmade Cermic, Brass Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg and Roche Dry - Egg ...
Category

2010s South African Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

French modern smoked glass metal lacquered wood bookcase by Alain Delon, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern smoked glass, metal and lacquered wood Bookcase by Alain Delon, 1980s Self-supporting floor bookcase with a rectangular base in cream yellow lacquered wood and brass de...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

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

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Leather, Walnut

2023 Z-Shelf Kit 4 Library Left MO by Ron Arad for Moroso
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Z-shelf (left), originally designed by Ron Arad. These examples were produced by Moroso in Italy circa 2023. The shelves are made completely of black sheet steel. The liste...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

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

Contemporary Five Level Stainless Steel Shelf with Natural Stones 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

Division Shelving by Phase Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Division Shelving by Phase Design Dimensions: D 38,1 x W 91,4 x H 112,4 cm. Materials: Powder-coated solid steel. Solid steel sheet available in a flat black or white powder coat f...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Contemporary Clay Bookshelves by Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant Bookshelves are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created through Baas’s individual ha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Solid Dark Stainless Steel Wall Object with Natural Stones by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Wall Object by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 60 x D 60 x H 26 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone. Each piece is made to order and uses natural stones, so pl...
Category

2010s South Korean Modern Shelves

Materials

Stone, Stainless Steel

Small Rose Steel Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small rose steel contemporary shelf Dimensions: L 39 x W 23 x H 23 cm Materials: Steel with powder coating. Available in colors: Black, bordeaux, fore...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

White Briccola-ge Shelf by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
White 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

Contemporary Wooden Two Eyes Bookcase by Rejo Studio
Located in Riyadh, SA
This Artistic bookcase has unique two windows for your books, inspired by the Architecture of Ancient Oriental Houses. Dimension. W 50 x D 40 x H 160 cm Material. Oak wood Year...
Category

2010s Saudi Arabian Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Dovetail Audio Rack
Located in Nyack, NY
The dovetail audio rack is the perfect pairing to the dovetail vinyl storage cabinet. The audio rack system includes five shelves to display an entire s...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Dovetail Audio Rack
Dovetail Audio Rack
$4,295 / item
Butterfly Wall Shelf by Rejo Studio
Located in Riyadh, SA
A unique wall storage unit, featuring curves on the both sides to accommodate all your items on every side. Dimension. W 76 x D 30 x H 60 cm Mate...
Category

2010s Saudi Arabian Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

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

Grid Cabinet by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Grid cabinet by Kristina Dam Studio. Materials: Beige outdoor powder-coated steel Dimensions: 76 x 45 x 131 cm Dimensions cannot be customized...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Riley 5 Shelf Unit by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Riley 5 shelf unit by Dare Studio, 2018 Dimensions: H 164.5 cm, D 40 cm, W 180 cm Materials: European white oak with black stain, powder coated frame in blac...
Category

2010s British Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

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

Contemporary Three Level Stainless Steel Shelf with Natural Stones 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

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
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

Perforated Medium 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

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

2010s Chinese Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Bosco Bookshelf by Mentemano
Located in Geneve, CH
Bosco bookshelf by Mentemano Dimensions: 116 x 42 x H 190.5 cm Materials: Natural CDF Mentemano is a design concept brand leading to a precise matter: is the “mente” (mind) lead...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Other

ClassiCon Paris 3 Shelves in Black 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

Italian modern orange plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s. Set of three shelves with asymmetrical profile in shiny orange plastic. There are two types of sizes: one ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Fossil N.2 by The Whole Elements
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil N.2 by The Whole Elements 2017 Unique Piece Dimensions: H 78 x W 52 x D 26 cm Materials: Hand carved, oak Fossils are objects that require...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Librero Duna 2 by Eliana Portilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Librero Duna 2 by Eliana Portilla Dimensions: D 35 x W 140 x H 105 cm. Materials: Steel with brass coat. This shelf is made of eight modular pieces. Please contact us. Eliana Porti...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Steel

Small Walnut and Steel Minimalist Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small walnut and steel minimalist shelf Dimensions: L 50 x W 18 x H 12 cm Materials: Steel W. Powder Coating, Brass Plating & Walnut MDF. Also available in Black Ash and in size...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

White Grid Wall Shelf by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Grid wall shelf by Kristina Dam Studio Materials: White Powder-Coated Steel. Also available in different colors. Dimensions: 25 x 75 x h 25cm. The Modernist furniture co...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Aspis Shelves by Imperfettolab
Located in Geneve, CH
Aspis shelves by Imperfettolab Dimensions: 103 x 30 x H 194 Materials: Fiberglass Imperfetto Lab Who we are ? We are a family. Verter Turroni, Emanuela Ravelli and our childre...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Fiberglass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Black Walnut and Maple Saddle Shoe Shelf with Glass
Located in Hobart, NY
Saddle shoe shelf - maple and black walnut with 1/2" star fire glass shelves.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Shelves

Materials

Glass, Maple, 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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