$3,533
H 94.49 in W 34.65 in D 14.97 in
Danish teak room divider modular vintage library bookcase shelf-system , 1960s
By Mid Century Antiques
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish teak room divider vintage library bookcase Modular shelf-system , 1960s Dimensions
Metal
$5,300
H 77.96 in W 37.01 in D 18.9 in
Large, mobile and modular shelf, Danish teak by H. Brockmann Petersen, 1960s.
By H. Brockmann-Petersen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Stunning Scandinavian shelf or bookcase. Six shelves (four of which are adjustable), plus a seventh
Brass
$7,682
H 78.75 in W 125.99 in D 19.3 in
Poul Cadovius Oak Modular Shelf Royal System Wall Unit Denmark ca. 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Geneva, CH
Royal System Oak modular shelving system by Poul Cadovius produced by his own company CADO in
Oak
$6,200
H 72 in W 95 in D 20 in
Poul Cadovius "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit Denmark 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit designed by Poul Cadovius ,made in
Rosewood
Danish Modular Desk/ Shelf System
By Arne Vodder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Danish Modern Modular Desk and Shelf System. Can be used in multiple ways, with or without the Desk
Brass
Danish Modular Shelf System in Teak 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Freestanding Danish modular shelving system in teak. All in original condition. Denmark, 1960s
Teak
Danish modular shelf in Rosewood by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 2 shelves 22 cm deep
Rosewood
Large Danish Teak Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/bookcase composed of (each element is 80 cm wide): - 6 shelves 22 cm deep - 1
Teak
Large Danish modular teak shelf by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 6 shelves 22 cm deep
Teak
Large Danish Rosewood Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/bookcase composed of (each element is 80 cm wide): - 9 shelves 22 cm deep - 3
Rosewood
Large Danish Teak Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/bookcase composed of (each element is 80 cm wide): - 5 shelves 22 cm deep - 2
Teak
Large Danish Teak Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/bookcase composed of (each element is 80 cm wide): - 4 shelves 22 cm deep - A
Teak
Large Danish modular teak shelf by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 3 shelves 22 cm deep
Teak
Large Danish modular teak shelf by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 3 shelves 22 cm deep
Teak
Poul Cadovius Modular Teak Wall Unit, Danish Modern Shelf System
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Poul Cadovius Modular Teak Wall Unit, Danish Modern Shelf System Mid-century teak wall unit
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
Large Danish modular shelf in Rosewood by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 7 shelves 22 cm deep
Rosewood
Large Danish modular shelf in Rosewood by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 7 shelves 22 cm deep
Rosewood
Large Danish modular shelf in Rosewood by Poul Cadovius 1960.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): - 13 shelves 22 cm deep
Rosewood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 129.93 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius Teak & Brass Wall Mounted Modular Shelf, Denmark, ca. 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Geneva, CH
Beautiful wall mounted shelf in teak and brass brackets, with 2 cabinets with "braiding" teak
Brass
Sold
H 51.5 in W 23.75 in D 16 in
Pair of Small Midcentury Danish Modern Rosewood Modular Bookcase Chest Shelf
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of small midcentury Danish modern rosewood modular bookcase chest display shelves. Item
Rosewood, Acrylic
A Danish modular teak shelf by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
shelf, 30 cm deep and 65 cm high. - A removable Cadovius light (working). - Three 200 cm high wall
Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
Large Danish Modular Shelf in Rio Rosewood by Poul Cadovius, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/bookcase composed of (each element is 80 cm wide): - 3 shelves 22 cm deep - 3
Rosewood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 94.49 in D 44.49 in
Danish modular shelf in Rosewood with integrated extendable desk, Poul Cadovius.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelf/library composed of (each element measures 80 cm wide): • 3 shelves 22 cm deep
Brass
Sold
H 109.06 in W 125.99 in D 14.97 in
Scandinavian modular wall shelf in rosewood, Poul Cadovius, 60s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful wall-mounted modular bookshelf by the famous Danish architect, Poul Cadovius, in rosewood
Rosewood
Sold
H 86.62 in W 129.93 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius Royal System Teak Floating Modular Shelf, Cado, Denmark circa 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Geneva, CH
Royal system teak modular floating shelf by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, circa 1960s Very good
Teak
Sold
H 68.9 in W 95.67 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Modular Floating Shelf Wall System in Teak, Denmark, 1950's
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful modular floating shelving system, by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. Cabinet 80 x
Metal
Vintage Bookshelf "Cado" by Paul Cadovius, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage bookshelf "cado" is an original design item realized by Paul Cadovius, Denmark, in 1960s. Wall unit in teak structure. Five different cabintes with drawers, sliding doors a...
Wood
$3,721Sale 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
$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
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.
Wood
$13,545 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
$22,000
H 100.4 in W 231.5 in D 19.3 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Modular Wall Unit in Walnut & Aluminum
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson for Herman Miller, modular wall unit model 'CSS', walnut, aluminium, glass, United States, 1959 Herman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (...
Aluminum
$10,600
H 96 in W 96 in D 2.25 in
Custom Mid-Century Style Geometric Wood Room Divider by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century geometric wood room divider. Made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Custom sizing and pricing available upon request.
Mahogany
$14,000Sale Price|60% Off
H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The ...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, Wood, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit, Wood, 1950s
Wood
1970, Rare Important Space Age Sideboard
By Verner Panton
Located in Perpignan, FR
Element decoration - sideboard for music TV Show. removable. Big size 400 x 120x 120 cm Fiberglass and metal.
Fiberglass
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 76 in W 59.5 in D 19 in
Mid Century Paul McCobb Calvin Irwin Collection Shelf Bookshelf Room Divider
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Rare Mid Century sideboard, shelf unit, room divider, designed by Paul McCobb as part of the sought after Irwin Collection series for Calvin, circa 1950’s. This example features ble...
Brass
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookshelf, bar, media cabinet, vitrine, or wall cabinet. It consists...
Glass, Wood, Teak
Mid-Century modular wooden bookcase, Italy, 1960s
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Modular Mid-Century bookcase with wooden structure and gilded brass details. This elegant piece offers versatile storage with four shelves, a central cabinet, four drawers, and two f...
Wood
$52,000
H 121.66 in W 149.81 in D 14.18 in
Mogens Koch for Rud Radmussen Substantial Modular Library in Pine
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, modular bookcase or library, pine, Denmark, design 1928 Intriguing and substantial modular library by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is cons...
Pine
George Nelson For Mobilier International Paris Mid Century Wall Unit
By Mobilier International
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Probably by George Nelson 1960's. An exceptional large scale wall unit with three compartments. Tall heavy black powder coated adjustable height metal frames with other metal legs. ...
Aluminum, Steel
1970s Ash Room Divider, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use.
Wood, Ash
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.