$18,446Sale 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 Royal System, Poul Cadovius
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 Royal, Poul Cadovius
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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
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 Poul Cadovius, Royal System
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Royal System, Poul Cadovius
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 Poul Cadovius, Royal
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Milo Baughman, Poul Cadovius
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 Royal System, Poul Cadovius
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 Royal System, Poul Cadovius
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
$13,794 / item
H 33.08 in W 115.36 in D 61.82 in
1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Velvet, Walnut
$19,986 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Giovannetti, 1970s Anfibio Foldable Sofa in Cream Colored Fabric Project, Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Wool, Cotton
$2,990
H 3.5 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
“Liggend (Reclining)” by Kyle Smith, Bronze Nude with Ponytail, Edition 2 of 9
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
“Liggend (Reclining)” by Kyle Smith, Bronze Nude with Ponytail, Edition 2 of 9, 1999 Signed, Dated, and Numbered Dimensions: 7” W × 3.5” D × 3.5” H Patina: Dark Engraved Verdigris ...
Bronze
$37,200 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage...
Plastic, Velvet
Mid-Century Teak Sofa Bed with Storage Headboard, 1960s Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A versatile and functional example of Mid-Century design, this teak sofa bed offers both comfortable seating and convenient storage. Complete with a matching, detached headboard feat...
Teak, Upholstery
$3,500
H 29.5 in W 34 in D 18.5 in
Expertly Restored -George Nelson Multi-Color Lacquered Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Steel
Monumental Pine Bookcase Sectional Wall Library 15 ft.
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke bookcase cabinet library consisting of several sections crafted on monumental scale from pine. The entire unit as shown measures over 15 feet wide and has 6 shelving units ea...
Pine
$2,756Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 63.78 in W 33.86 in D 11.42 in
Antique Globe Wernicke Four Section Glazed Stacking Barrister's Bookcase
By Globe Wernicke
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Antique Globe Wernicke Four Section Iron Banded Glazed Stacking Barrister's Bookcase 1920s & 1940's as noted by both logos Comes apart in sections for easy transportation. Se...
Brass
William Hinn Attribution, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and blue fabric sofa attributed to William Hinn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair condition Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.5"H x 8...
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed
Located in Marbella, ES
This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...
Gold Leaf
$21,284
H 29.14 in Dm 25.99 in
20th Century Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Dilly Dally Vanitiy Dressing Table
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Turin, Turin
Dressing table model Dilly Dally designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1960s. The dressing table is composed of two pieces, one round armchair (which alone measures 74 x 66 ...
Metal
$10,000
H 72.5 in W 54 in D 17 in
Broyhill Brasilia Model 6140-72/73 Room Divider Base & Deck Walnut Wall Unit
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Broyhill Brasilia line is extensive, spanning multiple rooms across more than 30 models. Throughout our multi-decade experience in this industry, we have seen and handled nearly ...
Walnut
$55,407Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 112 in W 170 in D 13.77 in
"Tecnica Library" Modular Shelving Bookcase by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'
By Jaime Tresserra, Dessie Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tecnica Library" is a shelving bookcase unit, designed by Jaume Tresserra and manufactured by Dessie', featuring six modules with antique nickel finished metallic parts provided wit...
Metal, Nickel
$13,953 / item
H 65.75 in W 87.01 in D 1.19 in
Charlotte Perriand Paravent Ambassade Screen for Cassina, Italy - new
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the material. Available in American walnut, black stained oak or natural oak. Paravent Ambassade indoors screen designed by Cassina in collaboration with G...
Wood
$6,100 / set
H 39 in W 85 in D 65 in
Deeble Classic Modern Bed & Nightstand Set, Midcentury Walnut Minimalist Queen
By Pete Deeble
Located in Long Beach, CA
This Queen bed and night stands set is designed and hand-crafted by yours truly in Long Beach, California. The furniture pictured is built from solid walnut, but I can use other wood...
Walnut
$7,686
H 73.43 in W 94.49 in D 13.98 in
Large Bookcase in Teak and Chromed Steel by Nils Strinning, 1960's
By Nils Nisse Strinning
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large Bookcase in Teak and Chromed Steel by Nils Strinning, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Teak and chromed steel Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Large bookcase model Str...
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.