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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 84" shelves and 6 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
ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf D 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
$2,690 / item
Incrocio Gold Bookshelves By Andrea Branzi
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant frame can be used to display photos, small pots and books and other little objects. It is created by Andrea Branzi and features a structure of parallel and perpendicular...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
$21,241 / item
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
$2,421 / item
Lolah Bar Cabinet by Kenneth Cobonpue
Located in Geneve, CH
Lolah bar cabinet by Kenneth Cobonpue
Materials: Rattan, nylon twine, steel, maple.
Dimensions: 50cm x 120cm x H 194.5cm
Created using construction techniques similar to boat-bu...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$7,300 / item
Moroso SECRET CUBIC SHELVES by Olafur Eliasson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Moroso presents “Secret Cubic Shelves”, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.
A result of the artist’s intensive, decades-long engagement with geometry, the shelves a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$16,192 / item
One of a Kind Custom Emmett Moore Limed Oak Bookcase, USA, 2014
By Emmett Moore 1
Located in Miami, FL
One of a kind bookcase rendered in limed oak with undulating oak shelves and six adjustable glass shelves, numerous uniquely shaped compartments make this piece multifunctional for c...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass, Oak
Sial Marble Shelve Italian Travertine Marble Glass Luxury Bookshelf Meddel Spain
By Joaquín Moll, Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Sial Marble Shelve Italian Travertine Marble Glass Luxury Bookshelf Meddel Spain
A perfect balance of geometry, symmetry, and material purity, the Sial Shelf by Joaquín Moll embodies...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Shelves
Materials
Crystal, Travertine, Marble
Bonham Walnut and Roasted Ash Shelf
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Bonham shelf features a stunning combination of rich walnut and roasted ash, handcrafted to create a luxurious storage solution that effortlessly...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Shelves
Materials
Ash, Walnut
$3,300 / item
Siam Bookshelf with Celadon 'Plant Not Include', Monkey Pod Wood
By Moonler
Located in Chiangmai, TH
A collaborative work of two renowned local brands from Chiang Mai, Moonler and Siam Celadon. The Siam bookshelf fuses celadon, the highly praised local ceramic, with Chamchuri wood, ...
Category
2010s Thai Modern Shelves
Materials
Celadon, Wood
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
$11,120 / item
Contemporary Sculptural Black Steel Etagere Bookcase Storage Shelf USA
Located in Chicago, IL
The contemporary modern Black Steel Ahn etagere is a study in positive and negative space. With its five different asymmetrical and organic surfaces, Ahn is a minimal sculpture in its own right, playing with balance and tension between the shelves while serving as an etagere, bookcase, or storage shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Vintage Midcentury Custom Oak Gilt Steel Metal Shelf Etagere Display Case
Located in Wilton, CT
Large, vintage, custom gilt steel and oak etagere, circa 1960s-1970s, with four heavy 1/2" chamfered glass shelves. Measures: 78" high, 35" wide, 19" deep. Excellent vintage conditio...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$1,950 Sale Price
20% Off
Thin Shelf Single in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Starphire Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thin shelf single, blackened steel, and Starphire glass the Thin shelf is the newest addition to the Thin series - a collection exploring the potential...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Modern Minimal Black Zigzag Modular Bookcase Room Divider, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Conceived as a minimal and contemporary bookcase to breakup the plane of the wall, this modular system, is versatile as a modern room divider as well as a backdrop in any space, be i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Signed Lucite and Chrome Étagère by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous clear acrylic and polish chrome with glass shelves étagère design in 1973 by renowned American design Charles Hollis Jones for Paul Laszlo. The étagère is in original con...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Small Silver Contemporary Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Small silver Contemporary shelf
Dimensions: L 40.4 x W 25.3 x H 12 cm
Materials: Steel.
Also available in black and gold.
It is not always ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$470 / item
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves in Hague blue lacquer and powder coated steel
Located in Newburgh, NY
More than just a shelving system, the AS6 wall unit is a design tool for creating wall mounted furniture distilled to the essentials of line, plane and form. We encourage the unconst...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Pórtico Bookshelf
Located in San Pedro Garza García, N.L.
Pórtico Bookshelf takes its name from classical architectural spaces, covered walkways defined by arcades and columns attached to the facades of ancient buildings. This bookshelf fro...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Shelves
Materials
Hardwood
$3,645 / item
AS6 wall unit 24" wide shelves & drawer cabinet in Hague blue lacquer
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
Bronze, Steel
Rare pair of cabinets by Emiel Veranneman
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare paire de cabinets par Emiel Verranemen en collaboration avec Victor Vasarely.
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$68,505 / set
Modern Chrome and Glass Seven Shelf Étagère
Located in Toledo, OH
Modern chrome and 1/4" glass shelf étagère. 7 Shelves. 79" tall x 42" wide x 16" deep.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Console Table Iron in Wood and Lacquered Metal
Located in Lisbon, PT
Iron console is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in natural walnut veneer and lacquered metal feet. The console is divided by one shelf and in two drawers and...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
$4,477 / item
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Medium, 2
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco
Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
Lucite and Brass Etagere by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1960’s clear lucite and polish brass with glass shelves etagere by American renowned designer to the starts Charles Hollis Jones.
Part of the ‘Metric Line’ designed for H...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Traffic Yellow 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
Midcentury Adjustable Birch and Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String, Sweden, 8" D
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern adjustable birch and coated wire ladder wall shelves made in Sweden by String Design, circa 1960s. Size: 39" tall x 31.5 wide x 8" deep.
Category
1960s European Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
Polished Brass Floating Shelves Signed by Chanel Kapitanj, Small
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
AERO shelf, Charcoal Black Monkey Pod Wood
By Moonler
Located in Chiangmai, TH
AERO shelf
-
Moonler’s products are mainly made of Chamchuri Wood (known as Acacia or Monkey Pod) which are solid wood and solid wood is a living material. It may move according to different weather conditions and environment humidity. It is normal for wood to increase and decrease its own dimensions according to the climate. Variations of 1-2% on solid wood table tops...
Category
2010s Thai Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
$6,896 / item
Large Walnut and Steel Minimalist Shelf
Located in Geneve, CH
Large walnut and steel minimalist shelf
Dimensions: L 80 x W 18 x H 12 cm
Materials: Steel W. powder coating, brass plating & walnut MDF.
Also available in black ash MDF and siz...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
$549 / item
Middle/Bottom Part, Stack Floor Shelf by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Middle/bottom - Stack floor shelf by Kristina Dam Studio.
Materials: Solid oak & walnut with oil treatment.
Dimensions: 25 x 100 x H 46cm.
Add extra s...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Traffic 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
Contemporary Bookcase A, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
By Giacomo Moor, SEM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sem Pivot collection, Bookcase A, simple and sculptural. The supporting structure is a rigid system of metal tubes to which are added shelves in beautiful stone elm wood combined with various lacquered...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass
Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 1
By Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
By Margot DeMarco
Materials: Pinewood with oil/wax finish. Each contour is hand shaped and rounded over following the unique grain pattern of the wood.
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
Modern Hobart Bookcase, Beige Gold 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 lif...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Moooi Oblique Big 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, g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Shelves
Materials
Beech
Siam Bookshelf 910 with Celadon 'Plant Not Include', Monkey Pod Wood
By Moonler
Located in Chiangmai, TH
A collaborative work of two renowned local brands from Chiang Mai, Moonler and Siam Celadon. The Siam bookshelf fuses celadon, the highly praised local ceramic, with Chamchuri wood, ...
Category
2010s Thai Modern Shelves
Materials
Celadon, Wood
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s.
Set of two shelves in glossy black plastic, one small and one large. It is possible to mount them in ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, Bronze, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
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
Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Jet Black 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
Buredo Moku II Shelving and Storage Unit
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
- LED illuminated back panel
- Natural oak veneer shelves
- Natural oak veneer removable storage cases
- Robust metal frame
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
$4,160 / item
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
$2,985 / item
Tapparelle Wheels Cabinet, Sand White by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle wheels cabinet, sand white 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
$4,840 / item
Shape N.4 by The Whole Elements
Located in Geneve, CH
Shape N.4 by The Whole Elements
Open edition, each piece is unique
Dimensions: H 54 x W 40 x D 40 cm
Materials: hand carved, pine wood
Launched b...
Category
2010s Polish Modern Shelves
Materials
Pine
$4,866 / item
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
$3,585 / item
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Natural Oil Stained Oak
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
Oak
Red Metal Shelf attributed to Mathieu Mategot, France, c. 1940
Located in New York City, NY
Painted, patinated red metal shelf with unique hole pattern, attributed to Mathieu Mategot
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Into the Woods Bookcase, Walnut (in stock), Insidherland by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
A long walk through a Swedish forest beneath intertwined branches of huge trees, was the inspiration of the dazzling Into the Woods bookcase.
The woods are captured by the elegant sh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Metal
Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Mahogany Brown 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
Patinated Steel Étagère Shelving with Solid Walnut Drawn Faces and Concrete Base
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
The E-1 is a dynamic étagère constructed from Walnut wood with a flame treated and patinated steel exterior. Three compartments, two doors and one drawer, feature Walnut wood faces with abstract line drawing etched into the wood. All hardware is Blum push-to-open. The case rests on two cast-concrete...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves
Materials
Concrete, Steel
Open Cabinet by Alberto Vitelio
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Open cabinet by Alberto Vitelio, Chile, 2019. Nilufar edition. Wood, automotive paint. 100 x 65 x H 190 cm, 39.3 x 25.5 x H 74.8 in. Alberto Vitelio comes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chilean Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Paint
Set of 5 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 5 52" shelves & 10 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
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 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 3 84" Shelves & 9 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
Two Square Black Marble and Wood Plinth Pedestals with Marble Tops, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of two wood display pedestals with marble tops. Each pedestal is square with a black overlay. One very tall one, and the other shorter. Removable stone tops in white give them a ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Shelves
Materials
Stone, Marble
$640 Sale Price / set
74% Off
Buredo Moku I Shelving and Storage Unit
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
- LED illuminated back panel
- Natural oak veneer shelves
- Natural oak veneer removable storage cases
- Robust metal frame
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
$2,300 / item
Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, 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
Set of 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, White, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 84" 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
Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, 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 2 Strut Shelves from Souda, 116in, White and Maple, Made to Order
By Souda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 2 116" Shelves & 8 Brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Steel
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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