The Penguin Donkey bookcase is a true masterwork of modern furniture design. Created by Egon Riss in 1939 for Isokon, this wooden shelf features beautiful, sweeping curves crafted from molded plywood. Its endearing shape earned its original name because the twin side shelves and four slender legs resemble a donkey carrying panniers.
The piece was later renamed the Penguin Donkey once it became clear that British Penguin paperbacks fit perfectly inside its side racks. Isokon remains one of the most celebrated names in British modernism, and this shelf is one of its most iconic pieces, a striking example of curved plywood design paired with everyday practicality.
Functionality meets mid-century charm in every detail of this new, unused piece. It offers storage on both sides, built-in shelf dividers, and a small removable top tray for extra flexibility. Whether filled with favorite paperbacks or displayed as a standalone accent, it brings timeless style to any room.
The Penguin Donkey Bookcase, an iconic Isokon storage rack designed by Egon Riss in 1939. Originally named Donkey because its side shelves and four legs resemble a donkey carrying panniers, it was later renamed Penguin Donkey for its ideal fit for Penguin paperbacks.
Made of molded plywood with distinctive curved forms, this double-sided storage unit features divided shelves and a removable small top surface. Its practical design supports a variety of storage uses.
