CADO Poul Cadovius wall system for bookcases, shelves and storage units
About the Item
- Creator:Poul Cadovius (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 74.02 in (188 cm)Width: 157.49 in (400 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 5
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7577239317592
Poul Cadovius
While Poul Cadovius is most famous for his modular floating shelving system, his career in design didn’t actually start with wall units.
Born just outside of Copenhagen in 1911, Cadovius began manufacturing window treatments in the 1940s with his partner, Hother Brønner. He soon turned his focus from Venetian blinds to furniture, finding success designing svelte pieces in teak, a richly colored hardwood favored by the Danish mid-century modernists.
In 1945, Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System with his designs, including the 1948 Royal System shelving unit, a space-saving solution that underscored Cadovius’s penchant for problem-solving in a multifunctional way. Rather than balance shelves on wooden or metal legs, it held them to the wall with brackets.
Cadovius followed the Royal System shelving unit with the System Ultra in 1957, the System Cado in 1960 and the System Abstracta, which was installed throughout the exhibition halls of the 1962 Cologne Furniture Fair. All expanded on his idea of wall-mounted shelving that saved space while offering functionality, allowing for limitless combinations of storage, shelves, work surfaces and other units. The Royal System proved to be especially popular and is still produced by Danish furniture brand dk3 today, with early models continuing to be in demand.
Along with the shelving systems, Cadovius designed everything from lounge chairs to mushroom-shaped bus shelters, and he held over 400 patents. In addition to being a designer, he was also an entrepreneur with an eye for opportunity, such as purchasing Danish manufacturer France & Søn in the mid-1960s and folded it into Cado, a company he founded years earlier. He used this as an occasion to experiment with his designs, conceiving such unusual pieces as an aluminum-based dining table topped with rosewood and hand-painted by artist Susan Fjedldoe Mygge.
Cadovius’s innovations in shelving continued throughout his career, with examples like the sculptural Butterfly shelf and vertical pieces mixing shelving and storage. In 2018, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal System, dk3 reissued the celebrated shelving system as well as a more compact version reimagined for 21st-century homes.
Find a collection of vintage Poul Cadovius storage cabinets, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Couple of Chairs Designed by Pierre Guariche for MeuropBy Pierre GuaricheLocated in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FRPair of chairs, design by Pierre Guariche, published by Meurop in the 60s, from the series called "Robert". Frame in black lacquered metal tubing, refurbished to new condition, seats...Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Danish Glass Vase by Per Lutken for Holmegaard in 1960sBy Per Lutken for HolmegaardLocated in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FRGlass vase (H:25cm), design by Per Lutken (1916-1998), published by the famous Danish glassworks Holmegaard. The bluish tone, the thickness of the glass visible at the top is an integral part of the design of this vase, dated and signed underneath. Per Lutken was a famous Danish glassmaker who joined Holmegaard in 1942 and worked there until his death. He contributed to the revival of the glass industry, which was running out of steam at the time, by bringing his pure and timeless style, which has become a classic of Scandinavian design and can be found in many Danish and Swedish homes. He was very productive and for decades created numerous models that made the glassware industry successful in Denmark and around the world. The Holmegaard factory was founded in 1823 in Næstved, southwest of Copenhagen, and started its activity by manufacturing green and brown bottles, and later turned to art glass. Count Christian Conrad Danneskiold-Samsøe bought the Holmegaard estate and realised that the local peat could be used as fuel. He asked the Danish king...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- French version of the poster for Woody Allen's 1971 film "Bananas".Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FRFrench version of the poster for Woody Allen's 1971 film Bananas. Third film by the American actor-director, who is pictured in the centre. The poster is folded and in good condition...Category
Vintage 1970s French Modern Posters
MaterialsPaper
- Vintage Danish Blue Glass Drop Vase by Per Lutken for HolmegaardBy Per Lutken for HolmegaardLocated in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FRLarge vase by Per Lutken for the Danish glass company Holmegaard in the 1960s. H: 25cm 15x20cm Per Lutken was a famous Danish glassmaker who joined Holmegaard in 1942 and worked the...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- "Magic" Table by a.Ducrot Forming Coffee Table and Dinning Table as WellBy Albert Ducrot, Albert DucrotLocated in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FRRevelation" or "magic" low and high table designed by Albert Ducrot (1900-1964) for the Ducal company in 1950. Teak wood veneer, three tops on metal frame and solid teak wood base. T...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsIron
- Scandinavian vintage teak extensible table, round and ovalLocated in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FRScandinavian dining table from the 1960s, in teak veneer. The round top can be extended into an oval shape. As always, the extension leaf is a different colour because it has not bee...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood, Teak
- Danish Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960sBy Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish teak wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 4 bay shelving system model Royal. This is a original vintage floating bookcase designed in 1948...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1950sBy Cado, Poul CadoviusLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish teak wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s. Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving system model Royal. This is a original vintage floating bookcase designed in 1948 by Danish architect Poul Cadovius. Cadovius had the revolutionary idea to design a floating, modular shelving system that would maximize floor space and signify the end of conformity in shelving. The Royal System shelving unit...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Poul Cadovius for Royal System Wall System Book Shelves in Teak, Denmark, 1950sBy Royal System, Poul CadoviusLocated in Amsterdam, NLLarge freestanding wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal system. With 4 black metal risers and teak veneer cabinets and shelves. 1x cabinet with sliding doors 42.5 x 37,5 x 160 cm ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Danish rosewood modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960sBy Cado, Poul CadoviusLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish rosewood modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s Mid-Century Modern 4 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating bookcase designed ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960sBy Cado, Poul CadoviusLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish rosewood modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s Mid-Century Modern 3 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating bookcase designed ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s.By Cado, Poul CadoviusLocated in Asaa, DKDanish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s. Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating bookcase desi...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak