Cado Modular Shelving System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s, Denmark
View Similar Items
Cado Modular Shelving System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s, Denmark
About the Item
- Creator:Poul Cadovius (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)Width: 100.01 in (254 cm)Depth: 94.89 in (241 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Brussels, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2265320948822
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.
- Mid-Century Modern Royal Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for CadoBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Royal Modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Suspended Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960sBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Suspended Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Suspended Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius - Denmark 1960sBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Brussels, BEMid-century suspended wooden wall unit by Poul Cadovius - Denmark 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Large Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System , 1950sBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Large Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System , 1950sCategory
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit by Borge Mogensen, Denmark, 1960sBy Børge MogensenLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern wall unit by Borge Mogensen, Denmark, 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, 1960sLocated in Brussels, BEIMid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, 1960sCategory
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
- 1960s Poul Cadovius Modular Teak 3-Bay Danish Royal System Wall Unit ShelvingBy Royal System, Poul CadoviusLocated in Sherborne, DorsetThis highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was originally designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948. This three-bay teak shelving system offers a wide variety of storage and display...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- 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
- Poul Cadovius Cado Royal System Wall Unit Shelving Bookcase 1960s 1970s in TeakBy Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated in Markington, GBA wonderful large 5 Bay mid century Danish vintage PS wall unit in teak, this dates from the 1960s. The condition is excellent for its age, little wear to be seen, the teak has a stu...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsTeak
$12,491 Sale Price30% Off - Shelving System Wall Unit by Poul CadoviusBy Cado, Poul CadoviusLocated in Vienna, ATLarge wall unit, shelving system by Cado Denmark designed by Poul Cadovius in 1958. This shelving systems is made in really height quality hard wood. The system allows arranging mu...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsHardwood, Softwood
- Poul Cadovius Shelving Unit 'Abstracta', Denmark, 1960sBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Antwerpen, BEAbstracta shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. Frame in black lacquered steel pipes and shelves in teak veneer, figured glass and normal glass...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsSteel
- Danish Modern Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Modular Wall Unit ShelvesBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Chesterfield, NJLarge three bay teak Cado wall system designed by Poul Cadovius and made in Denmark. This unit has beautiful color and a nice active grain pattern, and includes three wall panels for...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak