A barrister is also a style of bookcase, one that has remained almost unchanged since the 1890s. Barristers are modular bookcases, each section self-contained, with a door on the front. The door, usually a wood frame with a glass pane, sometimes solid wood, is designed in such a way that it can be lifted open so that it is horizontal, then pushed back into the case, allowing access to the books containted within. Barristers are favored by attorneys (hence the name) and book collectors for their beauty and durability. They are designed to be stacked floor to ceiling, and are available in a few different sizes for books of various heights.
A barrister typically looks something like this, when viewed from the front. Each shelf is a separate section.
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A diagram showing how the case of a barrister opens, as seem from the side.
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closed
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opening the door
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door is open all the way
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door is then slid backwards into case, allowing access to books