Cado Wall rosewood shelving unit by Poul Cadovious
About the Item
- Creator:Poul Cadovius (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 79.53 in (202 cm)Width: 125.99 in (320 cm)Depth: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Courbevoie, FR
- Reference Number:
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: COURBEVOIE, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Modular shelving system BO71 in teak by Finn JuhlBy Finn JuhlLocated in Courbevoie, FRModular shelving system BO71 in teak by Finn Juhl for Bovirke in the 1960s. Comprising 3 columns, 4 rules, 1 unit with 6 drawers, a writing desk, 13 Oregon pine shelves, and 22 brass...Category
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Mid century modern scandinavian Original Shelf walnut and lacquered steelBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Courbevoie, FRPrototype presented at the Copenhagen Design Weekend 2023 with metal shelves identical to the original. Actually the model with metal shelves is not yet in production. Modern people ...Category
2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Modern Danish vitrine bookcase in mahogany by HW KleinLocated in Courbevoie, FRMid-Century Modern Danish vitrine bookcase in mahogany by HW Klein for BraminCategory
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
- National Geographic BookcaseBy Mats Theselius, KällemoLocated in Courbevoie, FRGlass doors, stained in yellow, brass details. Base of solid natural beech. Suitable for storing The National Geographic Magazine. Each se...Category
2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Standing Desk in Rosewood by Poul NørreklitLocated in Courbevoie, FRRosewood desk with plexiglass structure. The desk has 3 drawers with aluminum fronts and chromed steel handles. Thanks to its acrylic structure, top seems to float. Good condition, l...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Desks
MaterialsRosewood
- Kao Triple BookcaseBy DrugeotLocated in Courbevoie, FRGrafic, sculptural, the Kao Triple bookcase brings to light books and artefacts. An adjustable glass shelf can be added in each unit. 100% solid oak...Category
2010s French Bookcases
MaterialsOak
- Vintage Danish rosewood modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960sBy Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated 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 Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated 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
- Vintage Danish 2-Bay Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.By Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish 2-Bay Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving system model Cado with back panels. This is a original vintage flo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.By Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish Modular Teak 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 by...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- 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 Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated 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