While Danish furniture company Cado is popular among collectors of Scandinavian modern furniture for its well-crafted chairs, sofas, coffee tables and dining tables, the brand is best known for its sculptural wall shelving systems created by renowned Danish designer Poul Cadovius (1911–2011), Cado's founder.
The Copenhagen-born Cadovius initially studied to be an upholsterer and saddler before pursuing furniture design. He began his career in the 1940s making Venetian blinds and other window treatments before shifting his focus toward designing versatile furnishings that could be adapted to all sorts of interior spaces.
In 1945, Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System intending to produce his designs for postwar homeowners. His visionary works included 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. The wall unit was practical and functional, but it was also decorative, made of rich and exotic woods like walnut, rosewood and teak, a favorite wood of Cadovius’s and a highly sought-after material among mid-century modern designers.
Cadovius established Cado in the late 1950s. The manufacturer followed the Royal System shelving unit with several other modular storage designs including the System Ultra in 1957, System Cado in 1960 and System Abstracta in 1962. Two years later, with more than 400 patents to his name, Cadovius purchased premier Danish furniture manufacturer France & Søn and incorporated it into Cado.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Cado collaborated with influential Danish and European designers of the era such as Steen Østergaard, best known for his stackable Cado 290, a Space Age fiberglass-and-polyamide nylon lounge chair; Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick who embraced expressive, free-flowing shapes in chair and sofa designs much earlier than his colleagues; and Ole Wanscher, who drew on Shaker furniture and Chippendale forms and created the widely loved Colonial chair and coffee table for P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik.
Cadovius’s designs — as well as the other works manufactured by Cado — are widely coveted by vintage furniture enthusiasts all over the world. In 2018, the Danish brand dk3 reissued the Royal System as well as a more compact version.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Cado case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and tables.
Finn Juhl Set of Two Fully Restored Armchairs Including Custom Upholstery Cado
By Finn Juhl, Cado
Located in Knebel, DK
Finn Juhl set of two fully restored armchairs including custom upholstery The chairs were designed in 1963 for France and Son that later changed their name to Cado as part of an of...
Leather, Teak, Fabric
1960s Finn Juhl Model 209 Diplomat Chair in Mahogany and Brown Leather - Cado
By Cado, Finn Juhl
Located in Knebel, DK
Finn Juhl designed the model 209 chairs in 1961. The chair is part of a series of furniture named the Diplomat series with chairs, desks, tables, cabinets and other furniture. The c...
Leather, Mahogany
Coppia di poltrone Senator di Ole Wanscher per Cado
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Brescia, IT
Coppia di poltrone Senator di Ole Wanscher per Cado. Refined pair of Senator model armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher for Cado in the 1960s. Realizzate in teak massello, presentano ...
Fabric, Teak
$716
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Danish Collectible Chair "197" Design Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in taranto, IT
Danish collectible chair, model "197", France & Søn production based on a design by Finn Juhl, mid-1960s made on a teak structure, it measures 76 cm in height, 50 cm in width, 45 ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Ole Wanscher Teak 'Senator' Sofa
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This teak high-back two-seat sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher as part of his 'Senator' line, circa 1960s. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Upholstery, Teak
$65,318 / set
H 35.04 in W 21.66 in D 22.05 in
Set of 10 Finn Juhl Egyptian Chair in Walnut Wood and Dark Red Leather
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 10 Armchairs designed by Finn Juhl in 1949, relaunched in 2014. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. Design critics have described Finn Juhl’s Egyptian chair as a m...
Leather, Wood
Stunning Midcentury Armchair Finn Juhl Rosewood
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Model 209 Midcentury armchair designed by Finn Juhl in jaw dropping solid rosewood. We have seen this chair used as an office chair, side chair, or dining chair. Incredible comfor...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$2,182Sale Price|68% Off
H 30 in W 27 in D 23 in
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark
By Cado, Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark. Arms are removable. You can use as armless lounge as well. (See final pho...
Textile, Rosewood
Finn Juhl Egyptian Chair in Walnut Wood and Dark Red Leather
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Finn Juhl in 1949, relaunched in 2014. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. Design critics have described Finn Juhl’s Egyptian chair as a miraculous m...
Leather, Wood
$7,923
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 21.66 in
Finn Juhl Armchair BO-46 - 1st. Original Savak Fabric Upholstery
By Bovirke, Finn Juhl
Located in Utrecht, NL
A rare and early example of armchair model BO-46 by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Denmark. Arm chair model BO-46 was designed by Finn Juhl in 1953 based upon his earlier designed chair model...
Fabric, Beech
Finn Juhl Lounge Chair Model FD 136 in Teak
By Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lounge chair model number FD 136 designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son, Denmark, with a curved backrest and an undulating seat that floats within a spare, eleg...
Cotton, Teak
$6,600 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.89 in D 21.07 in
Set of Six Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs for CADO, Denmark 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Utrecht, NL
Ole Wanscher was a leading figure in Danish and Scandinavian design, as was his mentor, the legendary Kaare Klint, renowned to be the “father” of modern Danish furniture design. Toge...
Fabric, Wood
$3,146 / set
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in
Coppia Poltrone Girevoli di Eric Carl Klote per Overman MFG - Svezia - Anni '60
By Carl Eric Klote
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di poltroncine girevoli a "uovo", leggere e in condizioni originali, degne rappresentanti della creatività nordica, direttamente dalla Svezia, sono state disegnate da Carl Eri...
Metal
Finn Juhl Armchair 209 Diplomat, Early 1960s
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Vienna, AT
Finn Juhl, diplomat desk chair or armchair with frame in solid hardwood, model 209. Designed in 1963. Produced by France & Son. Measures: H. 82 cm, SH. 44 cm, B. 69 cm. Used but st...
Hardwood
Finn Juhl 1960 Diplomat Chair in Rosewood
By Finn Juhl
Located in Dronten, NL
Distinguished Diplomat Chair in rosewood designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by Cado. All original vintage condition, marked with silver Finn Juhl label. Fabric and foam are worn...
Fabric, Rosewood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 27.17 in D 21.26 in
Danish Teak and Leather Armchair Model 209 "Diplomat" by Finn Juhl for Cado.
By Finn Juhl, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
The iconic "Diplomat" armchair by this equally famous designer is elegant, balanced, and very comfortable. It is ideal for a living room, office, or professional use. This piece of f...
Leather, Teak
1960s Armchair, Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic armchair from the 1960s. Model Senator by Ole Wanscher for Cado. High-quality solid teak frame. The original spring core has been reupholstered and covered with a high-qualit...
Fabric, Teak
Armchair by Ole Wanscher for Cado, Denmark, 1960's
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Barcelona, ES
Armchair designed in 1960's by Ole Wanscher for Cado, Denmark. Structure in teak wood with original upholstery in wool fabric.
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 41 in W 27 in D 316 in
Danish Modern "Senator" Highback Rosewood Easy Chair by Ole Wanscher for Cado
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM Danish modern "Senator" highback rosewood easy chair by Ole Wanscher for Cado, circa 1970s. Great lines and simple design on this elegant piece with original robin eg...
Rosewood
60s 70s Teak Easy Chair Ole Wanscher Cado France & Son Denmark
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s Teak Easy Chair Ole Wanscher Cado France & Son Denmark Object: Easy Chair Manufacturer: Cado Condition: good - vintage Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: Wid...
Fabric, Teak
Mogens Koch Folding Chair
By Cado, Mogens Koch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch 1898 - 1992. Folding chair from Cado. Seat and back of light canvas, arm straps of grain leather. Designed 1932, Denmark.
Brass
Grete Jalk Teak Armchair, 1960s Denmark, Manufactured by Cado
By Cado, Grete Jalk
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic armchair by Grete Jalk for Cado. High-quality solid wood frame made of teak. The original spring cores of the seat and backrest have been reupholstered and covered with a hig...
Fabric, Teak
1960s Ole Wanscher Senator Teak Armchair for Cado, Denmark
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered. - Carefully refurbished. - Measure: height of seat 45 cm.
Fabric, Teak
Arne Vodder for Cado Danish Modern Lounge Chair Midcentury
By Arne Vodder, Cado
Located in West Hartford, CT
With its plinth shaped legs, bar reclining back, oatmeal tweed upholstery, and incredible lines, this signed Cado lounge chair, designed by Arne Vodder is nothing short of exception...
Fabric, Textile, Teak
Sold
H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Midcentury Armchairs in Rosewood and Patinated Leather, Made in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of armchairs in rosewood and patinated leather. Designed by Ole Wanscher for Cado. Made in Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 31.3 in W 27.17 in D 25.6 in
1960s Finn Juhl Six Model 209 Diplomat Chairs in Mahogany and Leather, Cado
By Cado, Finn Juhl
Located in Knebel, DK
Finn Juhl designed the model 209 chairs in 1961. The model 209 chair is part of a series of furniture named the Diplomat series with chairs, desks, tables, cabinets and other furnitu...
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Finn Juhl Model 209 Diplomat Armchair in Rosewood for Cado
By Cado, Finn Juhl
Located in Knebel, DK
This comfortable armchair from the Diplomat series was designed by Finn Juhl in 1961 and made by Cado. If you are interested in this item feel free to use the ”Request more info” fu...
Leather, Rosewood