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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
78
to
10
44
32
78
78
78
939
184
87
81
78
52
30
23
21
20
10
9
8
6
4
2
1
78
693
1
19
50
1
5
4
3
25
8
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
43
34
25
14
12
44
25
20
19
8
2
2
2
2
2
Style: Modern
Period: 20th Century
Important Wall Unit, Large Curved Sofa and walnut Shelfs by Dassi, 1940
Located in Rome, IT
Important wall unit, a large curved "conversation" sofa by Dassi executed in 1940 attributed to Ico Parisi.
Part of a unique living room designed to commission, L-shaped.
Mahogany, maple wood, brass, white cotton. original key
Measures: H 84 cm, 330 x 150 cm.
Brass plinth base H. 15 cm.
unique room
very large and curved sofa, removable; an hanging shelf, asymmetrical door
fine and elegant details in "grissinato" wood.
Please note this item is sold as single piece but belongs to a complete dining room...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Shelve Cabinet by Dutch Modernist H. Wouda, 1924
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist yellow, black and red shelve unit, Hendrik Wouda, H. Pander & Zonen, Netherlands 1924
Painted pine
The Interbellum, the period between the two World Wars, was a time when...
Category
1920s Dutch Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Room Divider Shelf by Olaf von Bohr for Kartell, Italy, 1970s
Located in Greding, DE
Large room divider shelf in white designed by Olaf von Bohr for Kartell. Discolored in places. Embossed stamp on the bottom.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Plywood
Casamania Sean Yoo étagères Opus Incertum
Located in PARIS, FR
Sean Yoo est un designer américain d'origine coréenne dont le talent et la créativité ont marqué l'univers du design contemporain. Diplômé de l'École de design de l'Université de Har...
Category
1990s Modern Shelves
Materials
Other
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
Obelisk Form Etagere, C 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Sculptural and functional wrought iron etagere with three glass shelves in a charming obelisk form. Made of quality wrought iron with a metal ball finial topped with a brass fastener...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wrought Iron
French modern smoked glass metal lacquered wood bookcase by Alain Delon, 1980s
By Alain Delon
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
Baker and Co. Three Shelf Display Cases, Pair
Located in Pasadena, CA
Three shelf brass and glass baker and company display case. beautiful edges on all corners. The brass does show some signs of use with minor scratching to the surface. The glass is ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Brass Bistro with Glass Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage French Bistro Shelf sourced in the South of France. The unlacquered brass frame has adjustable shelves, curved brass shelf supports and l...
Category
20th Century French Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Italian modern travertine and smoked glass consolle, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern travertine and smoked glass consolle, 1970s
Console with lateral structures in travertine, with any grooves present on all sides, with two shelves of different depths ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Travertine
Modern Glass Cube Display Case
Located in New York, NY
Modern Glass Cube Display Case with 12 shelves and chrome connectors, apparently unmarked. Provenance: Eva Bouzard-Hui artist estate.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Glass
Mid-century Elm Blond Shelf by Roland Haeusler, Maison Regain
Located in Brussels , BE
Modern Elm Blond Shelf, by Roland Haeusler, Maison Regain in elm 1980s
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Elm
Architectural Italian Wall-Mounted Shelving System
Located in East Hampton, NY
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
Jean Nouvel "Less Library Shelf" for Unifor Sp.A., Italy, 1994
By Jean Nouvel, Unifor
Located in Skokie, IL
Jean Nouvel "Less Library Shelf" for Unifor Sp.A., Italy, 1994. Minimal pultruded and welded steel. Designed to represent the archetypal shelf, the Less Library is an exercise in pur...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Hans Eichenberger Galvanised Steel Amor Pillar Box Cupboard for Wogg Switzerland
Located in London, GB
Hans Eichenberger (1926 – present) is a prominent Swiss designer whose work is represented at MoMA in New York, Vitra Design Museum and the Museum of Design in Zurich. His ingenuity ...
Category
1990s Swiss Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Gun Metal, Stainless, Glass Etagere Shelves or Room Divider
Located in Miami, FL
Gun Metal, Stainless, Glass Etagere Shelves or Room Divider
Offered for sale is a fine-quality gun metal, stainless steel, and glass etagere shelving unit that can be used as a room...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Tall Brass & Glass Lighted Display Cabinet. Beautiful Condition.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Vertical Display / Storage cabinet in brass with four adjustable glass shelves and mirrored inside back (this making it difficult to photograph!). It is even better in person. Supe...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
70s White and Stainless Steel System Cabinet by Jacob Jensen for Bang & Olufsen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely rare system cabinet / audio cabinet in white combined with stainless steel stands and details designed by Jacob Jensen for Bang & Olufsen in Denmark Type: 2064 Model: SC50.
It's a great system cabinet / audio cabinet to display your vinyl player...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Vintage Oak 4 Tier Industrial x Frame Freestanding Bookcase Etagere Shelf
Located in Dayton, OH
An open frame industrial style x frame bookcase or room divider from the last quarter of the 20th century. Made from oak with four long shelves. The unit can be broken down folding u...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
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
alvar aalto 111 shelf
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
1940' alvar aalto design 111 shelf.
This is made in Hedemora for export to abroad aalto furnitures during WW2.
Category
1940s Finnish Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
Art Deco Style Geometric Metal & Glass Triangular Corner Shelf Etagere Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
An art deco style triangular geometric corner shelf. Features tempered glass shelves. Brackets along the top allow it to be mounted to the wall. Measures: 63".
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Lucite Etagere
Located in west palm beach, FL
A stunning vintage Boho etagere. A full lucite frame with a clean and modern shape. Inset glass shelves. Chrome hardware. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Shelves
Materials
Lucite
Late 20th Century Mahogany Hanging Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th century Mahogany Hanging Wall Shelf in very good Condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Shelves
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Modern Brick System Bookcase by DDL Studio for Collezioni Longato 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern modular plastic Brick System bookcase by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi for Collezioni Longato Padova, 1970s.
Brick System modular bookcase, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Luca Meda Shelving Unit, Molteni, Italy, c1970
By Luca Meda, Molteni & C
Located in London, GB
Luca Meda grew up and studied in Milan, graduating from the renowned Art School of Brera in the heart of the city. He continued his studies in Germany, at the Hochschule für Gestaltu...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Rare 1980s ALU Manfrotto Modular Bookcase Shelf System Wall Unit or Display
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Rare 1980s ALU Manfrotto Modular Bookcase Shelf System Wall Unit or Display
An amazing one-off 1980s modular shelf system / wall unit / retail display, by ALU, Italy, consisting of ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
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
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
P&P 900 Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Line Roset
Located in San Diego, CA
P&P 900 modular wall mounted storage system by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, circa 2000s. This modular wall system uses anodized aluminum beams as...
Category
20th Century French Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Karl Springer Modern Chrome & Brass Etagere
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer (German/American, 1931-1991) Modern chrome and brass etagere with thick glass shelving.
Dimensions: 82" H x 63" W x 14" D.
Dealer: S138XX.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Steel Shelves
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A pair of steel and glass bookcases with a very distinctive design. With inspiration from 1930s functionalist aesthetics this object is supposed to come out of the 60s or 70s. Perfec...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
DePadova Wall Shelves
By DePadova 1
Located in Milano, Lombardia
De Padova is an Italian furniture company known for its high-quality, minimalist designs and innovative use of materials. Their bookshelves are no exception, and are characterized by...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
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
Sarreid Wall Shelf, Carved Wood, Gargoyle, Lion, Made in Spain
By Sarreid Ltd.
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
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
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 ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Pair of Cherry Wood and Brass Bookcases, 1980s
Located in Florence, IT
Pair of Cherry wood bookcases with brass profiles and 5 shelves with brass edges. The Italian manufacture is functional and high quality pieces of furniture captured the innovative s...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
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
Pair of Italian Modern Brass and Chrome Etageres
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Modern etageres.
Brass and chrome frames with clear glass shelves.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Cupboard in massive pine wood, designed by Gianfranco Fini, 1972
Located in Berlin, DE
Gianfranco Fini designed this beautiful cupboard in 1972. It convinces with its puristic, beautiful proportion and consists of two pieces. The bottom part differs from the upper part...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood, Pine
Modern Peter Protzman for Herman Miller Zebra Wood and Chrome Tubular Wall Unit
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern Peter Protzman for Herman Miller zebra wood and chrome wall /shelf unit. Part of the Tubular Collection circa 1970-1971. Tw...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Chrome
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
Gustave Gautier Shelve
By Gustave Gautier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Shelve by Gustave Gautier (1911-1980) base in metal lacquered black the top is heavy glass ( probably saint gobain glass).
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Iron
Mondrian Mid-Century Modern Bookcase, Unique Piece
Located in Miami, FL
Mondrian Mid-Century Modern bookcase, unique piece. In the taste of Mondrian, 1940.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Pair of Bookshelves, Probably Italy, Late 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of steel bookcases with dish-shaped shelves of light blue glass.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Steel
Componibile Shelf by Giulio Polvara for Kartell, 1975
By Giulio Polvara, Kartell
Located in Barcelona, ES
Componibile shelf model 4760-4765 designed in 1975 by Giulio Polvara for Kartell. Include three storage cubes model 4770 designed by Centrokappa in 1975. Plastic elements that can be...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
Italian Modern Black Wood Convex Shape Wall Bookcase Joe Colombo Style, 1980s
By Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood convex shape wall bookcase in the style of Joe Colombo 1980s.
Bookcase in black wood, composed of 3 long vertical shelves a...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Adjustable Birch & Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String Sweden
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern adjustable wall shelves. Constructed of birch and coated wire. Made by String in Sweden. Measures: 39" tall x 31.5" x 11.75"...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
Pair of Modern Stainless Steel and Brass Bookshelf Stands Italy, 1970's
By Romeo Rega
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Modern stainless steel and brass bookshelf stands Italy 1970's. In the style of Romeo Rega. All original in good condition, wear consistent wit...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
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
Lucite / Bamboo / Glass Etagere in the Style of Karl Springer
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted Etagere with clear Lucite posts straddled by hardened bamboo pieces woven to each corner making for nice detailed construction . Five glass shelves that include t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Shelves
Materials
Bamboo, Glass, Lucite
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
Midcentury Adjustable Birch and Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String, Sweden
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern adjustable birch and coated wire ladder wall shelves made in Sweden, circa 1960s. Size: 39" tall x 31.5 wide x 8" deep.
Category
1960s European Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Birch
Hanging Wall Unit Behr International, 1970s
By Behr Wendlinger
Located in Den Haag, NL
Hanging wall panel. Hidden screws manufactured by behr international Germany 1970s laminated wood panel, comes with 5 shelves, in different sizes
The shelves are very easy to move i...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Laminate
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
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Storage Desk Shelving
Modern Glass Chrome Shelf
Danish Shelving Unit
Dutch Design Shelves
Metal Shelving System
Wood Shelving System
Mid Century Room Divider With Shelves Storage
Floating Shelf Mid Century
Black Shelving Unit
String Shelf
Modular Desk
Modular Desks
Mid Century Modern Desk System
Midcentury Floating Shelf
Mid Century Hanging Shelves
Rosewood System
Retro Modular Shelving
Vintage Industrial Storage Units