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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Recognized Seller Listings
Aluminum Domino Shelf by Mock Studio
By Mock Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constructed from heavy-duty 1/4-inch aluminum plates, the Domino bookshelf is both a display shelf for medium-format art books as well as a spatial di...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
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
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
Sofia Shelf in Lacquered MDF by Mock Studio
By Mock Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Sofia bookshelf derives its form via a process of balancing forms that appear to be subtracted from one another, the result being a precariously delicate-looking and sculptural s...
Category
2010s American Modern Shelves
Materials
Lacquer
DeCastelli Monolìte Divider by Tipstudio
By TIPSTUDIO, DeCastelli
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
DeCastelli Airframe by Pio & Tito Toso Design
By DeCastelli, Pio Toso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Airframe bookcase celebrates the art of hammered metal, highlighting the savoir-faire and artisan virtuosity that define De Castelli.
Its aerodynamic shape outlines a fine metal...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
DeCastelli Sinestesia Console by Tipstudio
By TIPSTUDIO, DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A series of curved brass sheets form the base of Sinestesia encapsulating the solidity and expressiveness of metal.
With rounded edges, the leaf-like top of the console rests on the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
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
Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Plastic
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
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
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
Small Suspended Bookcase Molteni&C by Gio Ponti - D.355.2 - made in Italy
By Molteni & C, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
D.355.2 Small Suspended Bookcase by Gio Ponti.
Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C.
As if floating in air, the D.355.2 small suspend...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
DeCastelli Cottage N.1 Landscape in Wood by Filippo Pisan
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In a revisitation of the classic garden shed that emphasizes the characteristics of its materials, underlined by minimalist design, an external corten stee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Modern Daniele Papuli for Dilmos Wall Mounted Shelf Handmade Paper
Located in Milan, IT
Laminated shelf set, angular shape made with strips of paper selected for weight and colour for Dilmos Milano. It can be a supported shelf but also a structu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Paper
Modern Alex Pinna for Dilmos Shelf Suspended Console Patinated Waxed Metal
Located in Milan, IT
Console composed by two pyramid-shaped elements and two figure-like sculptures in patinated waxed metal.
Two thin human figures of severe aspect stand o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Modern Alex Pinna for Dilmos Shelf Suspended Console Patinated Waxed Metal
Located in Milan, IT
Console composed by two pyramid-shaped elements in patinated waxed metal for Dilmos Milano.
A figure with a pensive look crosses one element of the shel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
DeCastelli Talea 185 Bookshelf in Copper with 4 Wooden Shelves by LucidiPevere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thin perpendicular supports fall from the ceiling to be anchored to the wall in delicate curves. Like climbing vines, they create a new kind of suspended architecture. Each branch becomes a support for one or more shelves in a modular composition with clear botanical inspiration. The gaze bounces between the dark hues of the Gabon Ebony...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Copper
DeCastelli Cube104 Container in Steel by R & D De Castelli
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cube is a line of containers with absolute formal sobriety, where the completeness of the cube is combined with different finishes abounding in personality. Rigor and creative impetu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Stainless Steel
ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf C in Walnut by Taidgh O’neill
Located in New York, NY
Sculpture or shelf, storage surface or object – the various models of the Taidgh series created by the Californian designer Taidgh O’Neill move within these poles. Surfaces provide r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Modern Daniele Papuli for Dilmos Bookshelf Storage Handmade Paper
Located in Milan, IT
Totem sculpture of angular shape with support on the ground, made with strips of selected paper for weight and color for Dilmos Milnao. The Totem is equipped with an internal, laminated lamellar structure with three shelves. Metria is a single vertical element which in composition with several elements, it becomes a modular partition wall...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Paper
Opinion Ciatti La Gabbia Shelving Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
La Gabbia, Lapo Ciatti's storage cabinet is a sculptural element of scenic impact made of metal and aluminum, embellished with 24 glossy studs. La Gabbia is a practical organizer equ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Contemporary Bookcase B, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
By SEM, Giacomo Moor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Pivot Contemporary collection, bookcase B, 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 containers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal, Brass
Contemporary Bookcase C, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
By SEM, Giacomo Moor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Pivot collection, bookcase C, 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
Brass, Metal
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
ClassiCon Taidgh Shelf B in Oak 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
Oak
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
Contemporary Bookcase A, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
By SEM, Giacomo Moor
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
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf B in Mirrored Silver 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
ClassiCon Paris 2 Shelves in Light 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
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
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
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf C 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
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf A in Mirrored Silver 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
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf A 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
Rossana Orlandi Aqua Shelf C in Mirrored Silver 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
Open Cabinet by Alberto Vitelio
Located in Milan, IT
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
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
Thalassa Console by Hubert Le Gall
Located in New York, NY
2016
Gold leaf finished aluminium, white marble wall-mounted
Edition of 25
Measures: L 50.4 x D 16.5 inches
(L 128 x D 42 cm).
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Shelves
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
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
Italian Designer, Small Wall Shelves, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of small brass wall consoles designed and produced in Italy, 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Decorative Rosewood Shelf by Englands Robon Day
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Japanese-style rosewood shelf, a petite yet versatile piece that combines traditional design with modern functionality. Crafted from high-quality rose...
Category
20th Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Rosewood
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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