$18,768Sale Price|20% Off
H 106.3 in W 192.92 in D 31.5 in
Poul Cadovius Room Divider Teak Royal Wall System Free standing shelving Unit
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A rare opportunity to acquire an original free-standing room divider with 7 solid teak poles (only
Metal
Unavailable
H 73.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Poul Cadovius 'Abstracta' Free-Standing Shelf in Steel and Glass
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Glendale, AZ
Poul Cadovius’s “Abstracta” bookcases c. 1960’s. A sleek & sophisticated space age staple. Tall
Steel
Poul Cadovius Royal Wall System Free Standing 1958 Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Royal
Located in Den Haag, NL
with a nice interior, and six shelves. This system is free standing, so no drilling in the wall
Teak
Sold
H 78.94 in W 159.06 in D 15.56 in
Large Mid-Century Modern Royal Free Standing Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and extra large Mid-Century Modern Royal modular free standing wall unit. Design by
Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 96.07 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Royal System Modular free standing Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Original freestanding wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, model Royal, in the 1950s for Cado
Metal
Sold
H 78.94 in W 159.45 in L 78.94 in
Large Mid-Century Modern Free Standing Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent extra large Mid-Century Modern teak modular wall unit. Design by Poul Cadovius for
Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 96.07 in D 15.36 in
Poul Cadovius free standing wall unit in rosewood Royal System Denmark 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful large wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, Denmark 1960. This highly
Metal
Danish MCM free standing wall unit
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Free-standing and fully finished on the backside, allowing for use as a room divider. This unit is
Walnut
Sold
H 78.55 in W 33.27 in D 22.05 in
Teak Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit or Room Divider by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Mid-Century Modern free standing Cado room divider. Design by Poul Cadovius for
Metal
Sold
H 70.87 in W 94.49 in D 15.75 in
Free standing modular wall unit 'Royal system' Poul Cadovius, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Poul Cadovius classic modular unit produced by CADO, Denmark, during the 1960s. Rare free standing
Brass
Sold
H 78.75 in W 96.46 in D 20.48 in
Stunning free standing Royal Wall system Poul Cadovius 1950s Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Den Haag, NL
Stunning Poul Cadovius free standing wall system . No drilling in the wall Beautiful warm Teak
Teak
Sold
H 69.3 in W 33.08 in D 12.6 in
1950s Teak Bookcase Shelf System by Poul Cadovius for Gustav Bahus Free Standing
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Extremely beautiful bookcase / shelf system by Poul Cadovius (Denmark) for Gustav Bahus (Norway
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 78.94 in W 127.96 in D 15.56 in
Mid-Century Modern Royal Free Standing Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Royal, Poul Cadovius
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and extra large Mid-Century Modern Royal modular free standing wall unit. Design by
Metal
Midcentury Free Standing Cado Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this a lovely one bay while unit in teak wood by Poul Cadovius. Featuring
Metal
Sold
H 82.5 in W 29.5 in D 17.5 in
Danish Teak Free Standing Wall Shelving Book Case Unit in the Manner of Cado
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Peabody, MA
Danish teal free standing wall unit, consisting of a cabinet piece with locking mechanism and a
Teak
Four Bay Mid-Century Free Standing "Cado" Wall Unit, circa 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Peabody, MA
Large four bay freestanding wall unit, circa 1960s. Various drawers and storage compartments, and a pull-out writing desk surface. Mounted with an overhead Lightolier fixture. Four o...
Cane, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Three Piece Walnut Free Standing Shelving Unit
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall, Poul Cadovius, Milo Baughman
Located in New Windsor, NY
A very smart and stylish set of three free standing walnut shelves. The set of three is comprised
Walnut, Plywood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 125.99 in L 78.75 in
Free Standing Poul Cadovius for Royal System Wall System, Denmark, 1950s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Large free standing wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System in teak. With 5 black metal risers
Metal
Poul Cadovius for Royal System Walnut Free Standing Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in New London, CT
Two column teak Cado wall system that features 8 adjustable teak shelves and two drop down basket-weave cabinets.
Brass
Rare 1950 Cado Teak Free-standing Wall System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Hudson, NY
first one I have seen made by cado that is free standing. The unit has 10 total shelves, i drop
Teak
French Pendant Light Attributed to Mathieu Matégot for Holophane
By Holophane, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century pendant attributed by French designer Mathieu Mategot designed in the late 1940 or early 1950s Perforated metal conical shaped down rod opaline glass shade. The total on ...
Steel
Contemporary Murano Cobalt Blue Glass Mirror, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Contemporary Murano cobalt blue glass framed mirror, in stock Mirror plate surrounded with undulating glass tiles in cobalt blue color held by brass cabochons. Handcrafted by a team...
Brass
1997 Espresso Cups by A.R. Penk
By A.R. Penck (Ralf Winkler)
Located in Weesp, NL
Espresso cups by A.R. Penck, 1997 A beautiful and very rare set of espresso cups designed by A.R. Penck in 1997 for the Illy collection. The set is new old stock and comes in i...
Ceramic
The Original Swing-Out Seat with Unfinished Alder
Located in Oakville, CT
Redolent of the cafeteria tables found in early-20th-century schools and factories, The Get Back Original Swing-Out Seat is our hallmark product—proudly sand cast and made in America...
Iron
$1,192 / item
H 8 in W 8 in D 8 in
Rare Whiskey Glass with Presenter, Includes Presenter and Four Set of Glasses
By Christopher Gentner
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the pleasures of Fine whisky, the rare presenter, by gentner design, elevates the experience through the art of presentation. The suspended tray with a unique handle allo...
Brass
Ivory Brazilian Cowhide Pillow
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Forsyth cowhide pillows are simply the best. The most beautiful cowhides are selected, hand-cut, hand-stitched, and hand stuffed with the finest goose down. Each step is meticulously...
Cotton Canvas, Cowhide
1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Metal
$15,800 / set
H 28.5 in W 96 in D 40 in
Pair of Matching Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Leather Wave Sofas
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Matching Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Leather Wave Sofas
Stainless Steel
Pair of French Walnut Library Ladders
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French (19th Century) walnut library ladders with side railings and steps leading to a top platform (on casters) (attributed to Napoleon III's personal library) (Related item...
Walnut
$1,503 / set
H 16.54 in W 30.71 in D 11.82 in
Box and Wall Unit String Shelf Rack System by Nisse Strinning, 1960s
By String Design AB, Nils Nisse Strinning
Located in Telgte, DE
Box and wall unit string shelf rack system by Nisse Strinning, 1960s Original and rare String System. One box (78 cm W x 30 cm D x 42 cm H), 3 shelves (78 cm W x 30 cm D), 3 white la...
Metal
18th Century Oak Corner Library Cupboard
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This mid-18th century oak corner cupboard originates from the Prebysterie (living quarters of a pastor) of the small Normandy village of Foie, now part of Normanville. It was reputed...
Oak
$29,776 / set
H 31.5 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Giuseppe Scapinelli pair of Ebonized Armchairs 1950s Brazil Pierre Frey Fabric
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Giuseppe Scapinelli Pair of Ebonized Armchairs Pierre Frey Wool, Mohair & Alpaca 1950s
Upholstery, Wood
Mobo Toys Steel Riding Hobby Horse
By Mobo Toys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage, 1940s, painted, pressed steel hobby horse manufactured by Mobo Toys, England with casters on feet and excellent patina.
Steel
Roberto Menghi 'Hall' Sofa for Arflex 1958
By Roberto Menghi
Located in Tilburg, NL
Roberto Menghi 'Hall' Sofa for Arflex, designed in 1958. Italy. New, current production. Price noted is for a sofa upholstered in fabric group T6. We are at the end of the ‘50s: ...
Steel
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.