$1,195 / set
H 21.66 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Side Tables “Abstracta” system designed by Poul Cadovius 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
other Abstracta modules. The Abstracta line is among Cadovius' most progressive and recognizable designs
Chrome
$2,250
H 27.75 in W 79.5 in D 20.5 in
1960s Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' Shelving System with Glass & Mirror
By Poul Cadovius, Abstracta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and unique modular shelving unit, this Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' system features a chrome
Chrome
Poul Cadovius Abstracta shelving unit teak Denmark 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Introducing the elegant 'Abstracta' free standing shelving system, a stunning example of
Metal
$4,200
H 58.27 in W 63.78 in D 25.2 in
Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' Metal, Teak, Glass Modular Display Unit, Denmark 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
bolts – the System Abstracta This unit is an early production model from the 1960's and features teak
Metal
$6,908
H 51.19 in W 59.06 in D 31.5 in
Danish Modern Teak & Glass Shelving System Abstracta by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Odense, DK
Ingenious minimalist shelving or display unit SYSTEM ABSTRACTA designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark
Metal
$1,800 / set
H 50.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Abstracta Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius for Royal System Smoked Glass - 2 Pcs
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Abstracta Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius for Royal System with Smoked Glass - 2 Pc Set. Item
Chrome
$3,826
H 70.08 in W 48.04 in D 14.18 in
Mid century modern scandinavian Original Shelf walnut and lacquered steel
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Courbevoie, FR
unique, visionary and award-winning Abstracta® System, which was launched back in 1962. That conviction
Steel
POUL CADOVIUS Abstracta room divider
By Poul Cadovius
Located in LA Arnhem, NL
POUL CADOVIUS Abstracta room divider. The abstracta system designed by Poul Cadovius for the Royal
Chrome
Sold
H 88.59 in W 23.63 in D 16.54 in
Modular Chrome Display Shelf Abstracta System Designed, Cadovius, 1960s, Denmark
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerp, BE
This modular display shelf model "Abstracta" system with a timeless design was designed by Poul
Metal, Chrome
Abstracta Shelving by Poul Cadovius Royal System, Denmark, 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
used as a very nice display unit, bookcase, storage unit, room divider and so on. The abstracta system
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 16.25 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
1960's Poul Cadovius Abstracta Style Stacking Shelving Unit or Room Divider
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
' 'Abstracta' system. Ten rearrangeable and stackable black enameled metal frames with glass tops. Elegant and
Metal
Abstracta Shelving Unit Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice modern shaped 'Abstracta' shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius and manufactured by
Metal
Vintage Danish Abstracta Bookcase by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
shelving unit system Abstracta, Denmark designed in 1962 by Danish architect Poul Cadovius. He was also
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 61.03 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Vintage Danish Abstracta Corner Bookcase by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
minimalistic shelving unit system Abstracta, Denmark designed in 1962 by Danish architect Poul Cadovius. He was
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Danish Abstracta Low Bookcase by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
shelving unit system Abstracta, Denmark designed in 1962 by Danish architect Poul Cadovius. He was also
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 53.15 in W 32.29 in D 16.93 in
Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' vintage Modular Display Unit, Denmark 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimal Danish modular display shelving by Poul Cadovius — Abstracta System, 1960s. A beautiful
Metal
Sold
H 42.92 in W 64.18 in D 16.93 in
Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' vintage Modular Display Unit, Denmark 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimal Danish modular display shelving by Poul Cadovius — Abstracta System, 1960s. A beautiful
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Shelving System, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Norwalk, CT
Very nice modern shaped 'Abstracta' shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius produced by Royal
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Poul Cadovius Abstracta shelving system
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Poul Cadovius Abstracta shelving system Beautiful Abstracta wall unit Designed in the 1950s
Chrome
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Modular Shelving System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalist shelving unit designed by and produced by Royal System, Denmark, circa 1960. This
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Modular Shelving System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalist shelving unit designed by and produced by Royal System, Denmark, circa 1960. This
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Modular Shelving System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalist shelving unit designed by and produced by Royal System, Denmark, circa 1960. This
Metal
Sold
H 72.05 in W 53.15 in D 14.18 in
Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' Metal, Teak, Glass Modular Display Unit, Denmark, 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
bolts – the System Abstracta This unit is an early production model from the 1960s and features teak
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Wall System Cado in Teak
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Courbevoie, FR
. RP15821. Bibliography: System abstracta catalog, The Danish Museum of Art & Design Composed of : - 4
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Wall System Cado in Teak
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Courbevoie, FR
. RP15821. Bibliography: System Abstracta catalog, The Danish Museum of Art & Design Composed of: Four
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Wall System Cado in Rio Rosewood
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Courbevoie, FR
. RP15821. References: System Abstracta catalog, The Danish Museum of Art and Design. Composed of
Sold
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Wall System Cado in Teak by Poul Cadovious
Located in Courbevoie, FR
under No. RP15821. Bibliography: System Abstracta catalog, Danish Museum of Art & Design. Composed of
Teak
Abstracta Shelving System Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice modern shaped 'Abstracta' shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius produced by Royal
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Shelving System, Denmark, 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice modern shaped 'Abstracta' shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius produced by Royal
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Shelving Unit Denmark, 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
, bookcase, storage unit, room divider and so on. The Abstracta system was designed for multiple uses but
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Shelving Unit, Denmark, 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice minimalistic shaped and so called ‘Abstracta’ shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Storage System by Royal System, 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice storage/shelving system designed by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, Denmark, 1960. This
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Wall System Cado in Rio Rosewood
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Courbevoie, FR
No. RP15821. References: System Abstracta catalog, The Danish Museum of Art & Design Composed of
Rosewood
Sold
H 99.61 in W 122.05 in D 14.18 in
Large Abstracta System Cabinet by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1950
By Abstracta, Poul Cadovius
Located in Wilnis, UT
Amazing large Abstracta system cabinet designed by Poul Cadovius in Denmark, circa 1950. This
Metal
Poul Cadovius Vintage Industrial Glass and Metal Side Table
By Abstracta, Poul Cadovius
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Designed by Poul Cadovius for Abstracta System, glass and chrome steel structure, 1960s.. This
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 57.88 in W 45.67 in D 14.18 in
Minimalistic Black Metal and Glass Abstracta Storage by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in 's Heer Arendskerke, NL
The Abstracta system was designed by Poul Cadovius in 1952 for Royal System. The tubes made of
Metal
Poul Cadovius Abstracta Shelving System, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Abstracta shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. This unit
Metal
Sold
H 51.19 in W 96.07 in D 14.18 in
Poul Cadovius 3-Piece Shelving System 'Abstracta', Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
3-Piece Abstracta shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. This
Steel
Sold
H 61.03 in W 32.29 in D 14.18 in
Poul Cadovius 1-Piece Abstracta Shelving System, Danish Design, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Abstracta shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. This unit
Steel
Sold
H 51.19 in W 95.67 in D 11.42 in
Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' 3-Piece Shelving System, Denmark, 1960’s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
3-Piece Abstracta shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. This
Metal
Sold
H 67.72 in W 95.67 in D 27.56 in
Poul Cadovius 3-Piece XL Abstracta Shelving System, Denmark, 1960’s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Antwerpen, BE
3-Piece Abstracta shelving unit designed by P. Cadovius and produced in Denmark around 1960. This
Metal, Steel
Abstracta Modular Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in 's Heer Arendskerke, NL
The Abstracta system was designed by Poul Cadovius in 1952 for Royal System. The tubes made of
Minimalist Chrome and Glass Side Table by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Abstracta
Located in Noorderwijk, BE
Vintage, 1960s side table, designed by Poul Cadovius for Abstracta System. Square, chromed tubular
Metal, Chrome
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
Picasso Marble Cone Side Table
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introduce monumental elegance and a grounded detail to your interior with the stunning Picasso marble CONE side table. The sculptural geometric shape of this contemporary design piec...
Marble
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$2,560 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 21.66 in
Mustard Mohair Velvet Round Ottoman with Oak Feet, Modern UK Design
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Round Ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in a mustar...
Oak, Mohair, Velvet
Murano Sputnik Spherical Green Glass and Brass Chandelier
Located in Roma, Lazio
A fantastic emerald green sputnik, with a surprising design and for its very low height, which allows it to fit in both high and low ceilings. Very elegant, it will furnish and decor...
Brass
$5,068 / item
H 56.11 in W 25.6 in D 19.1 in
Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Il settimanale Arcate fa parte di una collezione esclusiva che include comodini e comò, ideata dal rinomato studio milanese Accardi Buccheri per il brand MEDULUM. La scocca, realizza...
Walnut
$13,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 164 in D 86 in
Wonderful Milo Baughman Circular Sofa Sectional Plinth
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin circular 2 piece sofa. Of course this will need to be reupholstered but who wants 60 year old fabric anyway! We imagine this done in an ul...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,778Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 81.5 in W 42.13 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Wall Units by William Watting for Scanflex, 1960s
By ScanFlex, William Watting
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern modular two-tone wall units or shelving units. Design by William Watting for ScanFlex Holland. Striking Danish/Dutch design from the 1960s. Both wall units...
Beech, Teak
$6,336 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Tangerine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play...
Resin
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
"Perf" Sideboard in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
By Diesel Creative Team 1, Moroso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Perf" is a credenza, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, blac...
Steel
Unavailable|$4,950
H 31.5 in W 125.6 in D 43.31 in
Italian Sectional Sofa in Red Orange Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sectional sofa, fabric, beech, Italy, 1970s. This Italian modular sofa is designed in the seventies and contains six elements. Therefore, the sofa becomes very versatile as it allow...
Fabric, Beech
$21,282
H 102.37 in W 94.49 in D 188.98 in
Kiosk K67 Double Yugokiosk by Saša Müchtig for Imgrad, 1988
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
K67 is a kiosk design created in 1966 by the Slovenian architect and designer Saša J. Mächtig. Very good contition, preserved in its original form. 2 original canopies included. Weig...
Fiberglass
Gian Franco Frattini Albero book mill pre Poltrona Frau
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Weesp, NL
Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry wood, Albero mid century modern book mill designed by Gian franco Frattini, pre Poltrona Frau. This unique Brazilian Cherry wood version has been made in th...
Brass
Italian Wall Unit, 1960s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit with 3 shelves, 2 boxes with two sliding glass doors containing one shelf, 1 boxes with a folding door containing one shelf and 1 boxes with 4 drawers and a door c...
Metal, Brass
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.
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.