What Is A Barrister Bookcase And How Does It Work?

Do you have a beloved book collection you want to display in your home? Bookcases are a great way to add extra storage space and a personal touch of character. As with any furniture item, there are so many different options to choose from.

What to pick depends on your budget, interior design style, and space limitations. Looking for a classic piece of furniture that offers more elegance and protection for your books? A barrister bookcase might be just the thing.

A barrister bookcase consists of several shelf units that stack together to form a cabinet. Each shelf becomes a separate carrying-case for books, with up-and-over glass door mechanisms. Antique barrister bookcases were designed to make books portable within the individual units. Their solid wood and glass frontages are attractive and protect the contents from direct sunlight and dust.

Barrister bookcases are modular cabinet-style bookcases. This means they do not come in a large, fixed unit like traditional bookcases. Instead, they consist of individual shelves that can stack on top of one another. Sometimes each shelf of a vintage barrister bookcase has a handle, transforming it into a durable carrying case for the contents.

Antique barrister bookcases are elegantly built from hardwood and glass doors with up-and-over mechanisms. Modern barrister bookcases are more industrial and are often made with engineered wood or metal. They don’t always have glass doors or carrying handles on each unit. Contemporary versions have many looks, from horizontal units to tall and slender styles.

First decide on whether you want a vintage or modern barrister bookcase. Antiques will cost more, but are more robust, authentic, and elegant. Many are up for auction on eBay, Craigslist, and Live Auctioneers. Look for authentic manufacturers like Globe-Wernicke, Gunn Furniture Company, or Amish barrister bookcases.

Modern barrister bookcases are far more affordable and contemporary. These are a great option for new homeowners on a budget looking for a customizable design.

You can purchase a variety of stacks, dimensions, and materials on Amazon, IKEA, or Hale Legacy. A three-stack bookcase at Hale Legacy will cost you $1,400. A mixed materials version will cost $220 on Amazon.

Barrister bookcases are gorgeous, classic, and customizable storage pieces. But they have their downsides. Because of their unique design, it can be hard to identify authentic barrister bookcases when purchasing. It is necessary to sift through auction and retailer sites to find a true barrister bookcase.

Vintage barrister bookcases are expensive due to their quality construction. Their shallow depth at around 12 inches makes it tough to fit larger objects. The shelves usually cannot be adjusted for height. Barrister bookcases have glass doors that are easy to break and get dirty.

Do you have a precious collection of books to beautifully display and protect? A barrister bookcase is a no-brainer. Like a piece of art in a glass box, barrister bookcases practically and elegantly exhibit your collection.

But barrister bookcases can do more than just house your library. Their modular design allows for a wide variety of uses in any room in your home. These individual units stack vertically or horizontally, so why not customize them to your liking?

From living rooms to entertainment centers, barrister bookcases are interior design chameleons! Stack them high, spread them out, or only use one. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Related Questions

How can you tell if a barrister bookcase is antique?

Antique barrister bookcases date back to the 1800s. It is common to find a Globe-Wernicke manufacturing label somewhere on these. They characteristically have separate shelving units that stack. They are made of fully solid wood. Many are fitted with folding carrying handles on each unit.Leaded glass frontages with up-and-over mechanisms are installed on each shelf. Most antiques only have a depth of about 12 inches, and the shelf height is not adjustable.

How do you assemble a barrister bookcase?

Antique barrister bookcases should require little to no assembly. If you purchase a modern barrister bookcase from IKEA or Amazon, some assembly is required.Many buyers indicate an assembly time of 1.5-3 hours. Instructions are usually easy to comprehend. The process involves screwing together the units, and hammering the back of the bookcase in place.

How do you remove barrister bookcase doors?

The glass doors on a barrister bookcase can be removed or replaced. This is useful if the glass breaks or you want to make modifications to the hardware. While hardware varies, most have rollers and pins for the up-and-over door mechanisms.Using a screwdriver, unscrew the rollers on both sides. Next, close the door so it’s parallel to the back of the bookshelf.Then push one end of the door into the cabinet until the pin is cleared of the notches at the upper corners of the shelf. The door will come free. You can reinstall it by doing these steps in reverse.

Barrister bookcases are modular shelving units that stack to form a cabinet. These individual units are durable, portable carrying cases for books. They were originally designed for lawyers to safely transport their materials.

Barrister bookcases are traditionally made from solid wood. They have up-and-over glass door mechanisms. These glass doors are elegant and protect the contents from direct sunlight, moisture, and dust.

Vintage 19th-century barrister bookcases are expensive, but attractive and high-quality. Modern barrister bookcases are more affordable, lighter weight, and customizable.

Barrister bookcases are a great option for individuals who want a modular piece. Their individual units can stack vertically or horizontally for any room type. They are also perfect for displaying valuable collections such as wine, fine China, books, and other media.