Skip to main content

Modern Bookcases

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

to
86
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
470
171
583
90
14
990
258
217
212
170
162
140
71
51
49
43
42
36
27
24
11
7
90
597
1
22
57
1
1
2
7
5
23
16
7
457
382
128
94
93
520
253
157
157
117
687
168
237
42
22
17
15
13
Style: Modern
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 Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Pink 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 Bookcases

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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 Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Oak Brass Shelving unit
Contemporary Oak Brass Shelving unit
$8,551 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Italian Modern Red Three-Shelf Metal Bookcase, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red three-shelf metal bookcase, 1980s Metal bookcase with three shelves in red painted metal with black rubber details. 1980s Good condition, some signs. Measurement...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

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 Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Desyo Bookcase in Canaletta Walnut
Located in Desio, IT
Bookcase without back. Its peculiarity is the doors that slide horizontally along the entire length of the compartment, closing the compartment that you prefer. The processing of the...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Oak, Walnut

1939 Birch Bookshelf by Eliel Saarinen, J. Robert Swanson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Birch Bookcase, designed by Eliel Saarinen, J. Robert Swanson, and Pipsan Saarinen Swanson for Johnson Furniture Co. in 1939. The sleek plinth base is stained a darker hue ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

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 Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Steel

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 Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Italian Modern Black Wood Convex Shape Wall Bookcase Joe Colombo Style, 1980s
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 Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Italian modern black wood bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s Wall bookcase mod. E22 in wood and metal. It features three metal uprights, seven black lacquered wooden s...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Italian modern wooden bookcase Nuvola Rossa Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wooden bookcase Nuvola Rossa Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s Bookcase mod. Nuvola Rossa entirely made of wood. The structure is composed of four diagonals with a s...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

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 Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Stained Fruitwood Three-Part Revolving Bookshelf
Located in Germantown, MD
A Contemporary Stained Fruitwood Three-Part Revolving Bookshelf Measures 21" in width, 21" in depth and 29.5" in height. Max. Book height is 11.5".
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases

Materials

Fruitwood

Mid Century Milo Baughman for John Stuart Chrome Frame Rosewood Bookcase
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Milo Baughman for John Stuart chrome framed bookcase. Black Lacquer with Rosewood Doors. 2 rosewood doors with chrome handles open to shelved interi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

QUANTUM Large Bookshelf, by Piero Lissoni for Glas Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookcases made of boxes of different sizes in transparent 10 mm extralight tempered glass, glued at 45° and deliberately overlapped in a misaligned and irregular way. Available with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass

Sky-Land Bookcase, Puntello Modulare Modular and Adaptable Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Sky-floor bookcase 'PUNTELLO MODULARE' PUNTELLO MODULARE is a modular and adaptable sky-floor bookcase. Starting from our Prop, we have designed a modular system that allows you to ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Iron

Open Bookshelf / Side Cabinet, Italy 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant open bookshelf produced by Anonima Castelli, Bologna, circa late 1930s–early 1940s. A fine example of Italian rationalist–era furniture, the piece combines functionality and ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Moss Brown Formless Fiberglass Cabinet by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Moss Brown Formless Fiberglass Cabinet by kar Unique Piece Dimensions: W 150 x D 38 x H 110 cm. Materials: Fiberglass. Available in Moss Brown or Jade colors. Please contact us. As...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Bookcases

Materials

Fiberglass

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 Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Mid-century Open Bookcase / Side Cabinet by Anonima Castelli, Italy 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Solid and veneered wood, stained and varnished; ebonized plinth base. Manufacturer’s label “Anonima Castelli Bologna” to the upper rear edge. A refined example of early production b...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Cassina Veliero Bookcase in Ash by Franco Albini
Located in Vancouver, BC
The iconic Veliero bookcase re-invents the concept of balance, becoming the furniture poster child for the visionary work of Franco Albini. Given its ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

NOBRE Contemporary Bookcase in White Lacquered Finish, Modern Bookshelves
Located in Frazão, Porto
Elevate your interior with the NOBRE Bookcase by Casa Magna – a refined shelving unit that blends architectural balance with timeless elegance. Designed to bring sophistication to an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

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 Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood

Italian modern bookcase in black metal with adjustable shelves, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern bookcase in black metal with adjustable shelves, 1980s. Self-standing metal bookcase, with adjustable shelves. Structure entirely painted in black metal with opaque f...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Raphael Raffel Bookcase, France 1950 s
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Raphael bookcase in his signature Béka lacquer finish, a technique he championed that gave the lacquer an ombré appearance; it rests on gilt bronze legs, Signed on a bras...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

Kartell Bookworm in Aluminum
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookworm, the flexible bookcase, is the result of the encounter between the creativity of an artist such as Ron Arad, combined with Kartell's technology, giving life to a revolutiona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet by Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Milo Baughman style lighted display cabinet or bookcase with glass front doors By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection USA, 1980s Burled olive wood, with ash case and...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Ash, Ebony, Burl

Opinion Ciatti Ptolomeo Wall Small Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ptolomeo Wall is the wall version of the Original Ptolomeo and could be defined as the "column of knowledge”. A stack of levitating books or a ground-air column (floor-ceiling) for e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Harris Rubin De Stijl Modern Geometric Wood Steel Bookcase
Located in Milford, NH
A fine modern De Stijl geometric red lacquered wood and brushed steel bookcase with gunmetal base by Harris Rubin, Baltimore, MD based furniture company, founded in 1990. The bookcas...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Bookcase, shelves with wooden legs and MDF shelves
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Lido collection bookcase. 5 oval and rectangular shelves made of scratch-resistant lacquered MDF 19mm (0.07inch) thick, solid walnut wood legs. Measurements H183xW150xD40cm. Availabl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Matassa Large Bookcase in Black Iron Rebar, by Luigi Semeraro
By Luigi Semeraro, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Matassa bookshelf with structure in iron rebar is varnished in white or black, with shelves in flamed oak, Canaletto walnut or lacquered in black or white. Available in two different heights and sizes. Here you are shown the Matassa bookcases in black iron rebar, in the large size. Luigi Semeraro, born in Varese in 1978, product and interior designer, graduated at Design University, Politecnico di Milano. During the training, he enriches his academic and professional experiences in Italy and abroad, ranging from product to graphic design. He begins his career as a designer, realizing with a team the project “Piu YIU”, Chinese temporary restaurant, presented at the Dining Contest of “Salon Satellite” in 2004, in collaboration with Sawaya and Moroni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Ghidini 1961 Plomis Bookcase by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
La libreria Plomis è un simbolo del lusso e dell'eleganza italiana. Ispirato ai fiori, il design giocoso e sorprendente aggiunge raffinatezza a qualsiasi spazio. Versatile, Plomis ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Gae "Short" Bookcase with Leather Top
Located in Desio, IT
Low and double-sided version of the Gae bookcase in Canaletta walnut and leather with metal supports available in bronze-gold, lead and burnished finishes. Equipped with openable boxes...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Leather, Wood

Frame Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
A clean and essential design of strong geometrical value, this striking bookcase will make a bold and stately addition to any contemporary decor. Featuring two vertical supports and ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Frame Bookcase
Frame Bookcase
$19,746 / item
DeCastelli Ripple Cabinet by Marco Pisati
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ripple cabinet is inspired by the fluidity and adaptability of water, and the texture of metal, expertly worked by the company. The result is a sinuous, polymorphous volume in wh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Blue 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 Bookcases

Materials

Resin

Ghidini 1961 Flexor Bookcase by Robert Stadler
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
La struttura in estrusione di alluminio del sistema di scaffalature Flexor consente infinite possibilità di combinazione. I robusti elementi metallici collegano e sostengono i vari...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Randal Tysinger Modern Ebonized China Display Cabinet
Located in North York, ON
This modern display cabinet is designed by Randal Tysinger. Composed of ebonized wood, the cabinet has a top section with two glass doors and three glass shelves inside with drawers ...
Category

2010s American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

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 Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of 4 Strut Shelves from Souda, 84in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Price on this configuration includes 4 84" shelves & 12 brackets. This shelving system is really easy to customize: we offer multiple wood finishes, bracket finishes, and we can adju...
Category

2010s American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Steel

Light Igor Book End
Located in Milan, IT
A bright and unique way of keeping books in place, this book end is a perfect complement to a modern shelf, where it will combine functionality with a bold decorative accent. The sta...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Light Igor Book End
$3,825 / item
Late 20th Century Solid Cherry Pigeon Hole Cube Bookcase
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Solid Cherry Pigeon Hole Cube Bookcase in lacquered finish. Each cube measures 5.6" W x 6.25"D x 6.25"H. Great vintage condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases

Materials

Cherry, Plywood

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 Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

Bespoke Asymmetrical Bookcase of solid walnut by Jonathan Field.
Located in London, GB
Low curved bookcase in English walnut with panelled back, can be used centrally in a room or placed against a wall. Each end of the bookcase is made fr...
Category

2010s English Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

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 Bookcases

Materials

Brass

"ZigZag" Bronze Painted Steel and Oak Veneered High Bookcase by K. Grcic, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"ZigZag" is a high bookcase, designed by Konstantin Grcic and manufactured by Driade, featuring structure in bronze painted steel and oak veneered shelves. Bookends in sheet metal st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Italian Modern Black Metal and Tempered Glass Bookcase, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black metal and tempered glass bookcase, 1990s Floor bookcase composed of 4 rectangular shelves in tempered glass. The accordion structure, on which the glass rests, ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

DeCastelli Yoroi Cabinet in Brassl by Alessandro Masturzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Like the hard metal sheets that identify the armour of a samurai, the scales on the skin of this piece define its appearance. A dynamic shape, taking on the evocative strength of Art Deco furnishings...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern Contemporary Boxes in Orange and Green Mdf by Marc Morro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Olmo are a pair of stackable boxes with 2 different heights. They are made with different layers of MDF and plywood, what creates a light and resistant structure that allow them to s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Bookcases

Materials

Beech

Musa Ivory Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Intersecting elements arranged in impeccable harmony define the airy and dynamic silhouette of this bookcase, a superb design whose prized materials make it a plush accent in professional contexts or living rooms. The rectangular-cut, cylindrical metallic structure is upholstered in ivory leather and equipped with four crystal clear shelves...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Leather

Musa Ivory Bookcase
Musa Ivory Bookcase
$8,025 / item
Mid-Century Modern backlight wall modular system by Acerbis. Italy 1970s
Located in Catania, CT
Very good vintage condition with normal trace of age and use for this modular bookcase designed by Roberto Monsani for Acerbis. Produced in Italy during the 70s and made from lacquer...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Bookcase with Cast Brass Structure Glass Shelves
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This bookcase stands as a graceful memento of branches springing from a quiet river bank. Designed to be filled with ideas, it’s structure is made of tree branches molded in cast bra...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

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 Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Envelope Bookcase
Located in Milan, IT
Bold and sophisticated this bookcase will be a striking addition to a contemporary home. Either against a wall, or used as superb room divider, this piece of functional decor will ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Envelope Bookcase
Envelope Bookcase
$33,985 / item
Contemporary Cioccolata Bookshelf in Aluminium by Altreforme
By Aziz Sariyer
Located in Calolziocorte (Lecco) Italy, IT
Cioccolata is a bookcase whose taste is refined, sweet and incredibly unique. It envelopes in its symmetric folds the magic pages of a good book, the scent of the most beautiful flow...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

Jacques Lucite and Brass Étagère
Located in New York, NY
Clearly cool. Our Jacques collection is the perfect blend of simplicity and glamour, modern and traditional. Shown in crystal clear Lucite with brushed brass. Also available in moody...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Italian modern black steel bookcase by Philippe Starck for Baleri, 1984
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black steel bookcase by Philippe Starck for Baleri, 1984 Wall bookcase entirely in black painted sheet steel. The five rectangular shelves with rounded edges on the fr...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

DeCastelli Existence Five-Tier Bookcase in Brass by Michele De Lucchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Why should bookcases always be straight, long, vertical, right-angle planes to keep nothing but books perfectly straight and composed? [...] And don’t we like to keep a few small ob...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Legs Bookshelves in Crystal and Polished Brass By Paolo Rizzato
Located in Milan, IT
This sophisticated bookshelf is part of the Legs collection, featuring precious object of functional decor made in brass and crystal and creating elegant silhouette to enrich a conte...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass

Modern bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern bookcases 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 bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include DeCastelli, Kartell, Souda, and Danese Milano. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $120 and tops out at $96,530 while the average work can sell for $3,910.