Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

to
25
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
271
247
499
61
15
997
159
89
81
80
69
47
36
32
28
22
19
9
8
7
6
1
61
514
16
39
2
4
4
21
3
4
356
299
141
128
106
369
139
133
116
64
575
127
220
61
61
42
12
12
Style: Modern
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

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

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

Architectural Italian Wall-Mounted Shelving System
Located in North Miami, FL
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

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 Shelves

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Legs Bookshelves in Crystal and Brass by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Bookshelves in crystal and brass. The designer imagines a turning point in the use of such a precious finishes such as polished brass: from the idea of almost a unique object in its...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Crystal

Into the Woods Bookcase, Walnut and Brass, 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. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Metal

Bloopy Doopy Shelf, Small, 2
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 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 Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

1970s Chrome Glass Geometric Étagère Bookshelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish Mid-Century Modern chrome and glass étagère from the 1970s. Featuring a bold geometric chrome frame with five glass shelves, this piece combines sleek design with practical d...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Adjustable Birch, Coated Wire Wall Shelves by String Sweden 12" Deep
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

Centina Totem Shelves by Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Centina totem shelves by Oeuffice Edition: 8 + 2AP 2011 Dimensions: 86 x 86 x 205 cm Materials: Solid handcrafted stained oak The Centina totem re...
Category

2010s English Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Contemporary Bookcase B, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
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

Siam Bookshelf with Celadon Plant Not Include , Monkey Pod Wood
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

Karl Springer styled Lucite / Bamboo / Glass Etagere
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

Set of 3 Strut Shelves from Souda, 52in, Black and Walnut, Made to Order
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

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

Modern Six Tier Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Six Tier Etagere, built from hardwood solids with beveled, ebonized, posts and rails. The shelves feature flat-cut paldao with a light transparent ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

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 Shelves

Materials

Glass, Wood

Modern Hobart Bookcase, American Oak, 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 life through its ingenious geometr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

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

Console Table Iron in Wood and Polished Brass Feet
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

Contemporary Gingko Bookshelf System in Metal and Hardwood
Located in Agrate Brianza (MB), Lombardy
This exhibitor design pays honor to Ginko Biloba, an elegant, ancient, regal, exceptional tree with magnificent fan-shaped leaves. The matte black painted iron structure is floor-to-ceiling tensioned with an Expansion system. The carved wood shelves...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Iron

Contemporary Bookcase A, Etched Brass, Pivoting Doors and Stone Elm Shelves
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

Mirth Shelveing/Room Divider in Polished Concrete by Neal Aronowitz
Located in Portland, OR
The extraordinary and playful Mirth Shelving/Room Divider is a harmonious blend of functionality and artistic expression. Crafted from concrete, finished to an impeccably high smooth...
Category

2010s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Cement

Gaetano Pesce Luigi (o mi amate voi?) 902 Shelf in Lacquered Wood by Bernini 80s
Located in Cascina, Pisa
The Luigi 902 (O mi amate voi?) shelf, with a lacquered wood frame and a metal base, was designed by Gaetano Pesce and produced by Bernini in 1981. The Luigi 902 is a free-standing shelf with a double frame in wood and metal and two tilting shelves that can be blocked in a horizontal position through a screws system placed directly on the frame. When the shelves are down the bookcase functions like a screen or a divider The base of the wooden structure has a metal reinforcement to ensure balance and stability. Gaetano Pesce is a prominent contemporary Italian designer and architect known for his bold experimentation with materials and color. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with some of Italy's leading design companies, including Artemide, Vitra, Cassina, and B&B Italia. Born in 1939 in La Spezia, near Genoa, Pesce enrolled at the University of Venice in 1959 to study architecture and graduated in 1965. During the final years of his studies, he also participated in courses at the Venice College of Industrial Design, where he was influenced by distinguished faculty members like Ernesto Nathan Rogers and Mario Bellini. Encouraged by their teachings to embrace innovation in modern design, Pesce became involved with an avant-garde architectural collective called “Gruppo N,” which drew inspiration from the streamlined aesthetics of the Bauhaus. These diverse inspirations equipped Pesce to embrace contemporary materials and explore the forms they enabled. His designs range from small decorative objects to large architectural spaces and reflect deep contemplation of the modern era. Notable works include his iconic La Mamma chair...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Sapphire Blue Lacquered Beech
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

Perforated Large 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

Patinated Steel Étagère Shelving with Solid Walnut Drawn Faces and Concrete Base
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

Pair of Modern Stainless Steel and Brass Bookshelf Stands Italy, 1970 s
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

Elemen Shelving Solid Walnut Shelving System, Custom Arrangements Possible
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elemen shelving system features solid walnut shelving with a gem cut edge, joined with single vertical members to produce a striking and dynamic visual statement. The concealed w...
Category

2010s American 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

shelve by Marcel Gascoin edited by Arhec
Located in PARIS, FR
This oak shelve from 1949 is an emblematic piece of Marcel Gascoin's work and of the housing Reconstruction period. Marcel Gascoin, born August 24, 1907 in Le Havre and died October ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Light Pink Lacquered Beech
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

Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Curry Lacquered Beech
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

Yusu Shelving and Storage Unit IV
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Yusu Shelf and Storage Unit offers a solution where you can easily display and store your products. Yusu, made of durable beech plywood, offers customizable dimensions to suit your l...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Copernico Bookshelf in Oak
Located in San Pedro Garza García, N.L.
Part of the Cosmos Series, this bookshelf features ingenious joinery and finely crafted radial shelves made from solid wood. Its sculptural design offers the perfect space to house b...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Shelves

Materials

Hardwood

Capanna Solid Wood Library, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Capanna is a wall bookcase equipped with shelves and support floors and made of precious canaletto walnut finished with acrylic. The Italian artisan tradition is reinterpreted in a c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Walnut

Moooi Oblique Small Cupboard / Wall Shelf in Yellow Orange Lacquered Beech
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

Moooi Oblique Big Cupboard/Wall Shelf in Ruby Red Lacquered Beech
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

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

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

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

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

Thin Shelf Double in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Clear Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The thin shelf is the newest addition to the thin series, a collection exploring the potential of rigid yet pliant steel plates. The blackened steel arch of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Modern Herringbone Oak Bookcase, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern herringbone parquetry bookcase in our light 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

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

e15 Customizable Arie Shelf by Arik Levy
Located in New York, NY
With its striking concept, shelf Arie is an ideal storage solution. A multitude of seamless combinations are possible without apparent visual repetitions. In- and outside corners can...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

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

Contemporary Half Moon Etagere
Located in Westwood, NJ
A contemporary-style half-moon etagere with a light and airy design. The tall frame has been given a high polished gold finish and surrounds each of the six...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Black Steel "Etagere No.1" by Alex Drew No One, 2016
Located in Detroit, MI
"Etagere No.1" is from the new 2016 collection of Alex Drew & No One. Inspired by traditional craftsmanship while incorporating a modern edge, AD&NO's work plays on light, textures, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal, Steel

Dovetail Audio Rack Deep
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

Large Shelf in Lacquered Metal, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large shelf in lacquered metal, circa 1970. Rack and pinion system, fully adjustable and dismantable. Dual sided.
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Shelves

Italian modern black shiny plastic shelf by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelf by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s Glossy black plastic shelf with geometric profile. The shelf is not central to the structure, so it can ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Pedestal Table by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pedestal table by Kristina Dam Studio Materials: Black powder-coated steel. Also available in different colors. Dimensions: 28 x 28 x H 102cm. ...
Category

2010s Danish 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

Tapparelle Sideboard, Mustard Yellow by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tapparelle sideboard, mustard yellow 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....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Oak

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.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed