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Cado Armchairs

Danish

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.

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Creator: Cado
1960s Finn Juhl Set of Two Fully Restored Armchairs in Teak and Leather by Cado
By Cado, Finn Juhl
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of two Finn Juhl armchairs in Bangkok teak and black leather designed in 1963 and made by France and Son / Cado in the 1960s The armchairs have a solid stabile frame...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

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...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Finn Juhl for Cado Modular Sofa Lounge Armchairs 1950s, Danish Modern
By Cado, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl for Cado Modular Modern sofa lounge armchair set 1950s rarity, signed. Gorgeous rosewood base. Rare Finn Juhl for Cado Danish Mid-Century Modern modular three-piece sofa,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cado Armchairs

Materials

Textile, Rosewood

1960s-1970s Teak Easy Chair Ole Wanscher Cado France & Son Denmark
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
1960s-1970s Teak easy chair Ole Wanscher Cado France & Son Denmark Object: easy chair Manufacturer: Cado / France & Son Condition: good - vintage Age: around 1960-1970 Dimension...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Armchair by Ole Wanscher for Cado, Denmark, 1960's
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
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.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

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Stunning Midcentury Armchair Finn Juhl Rosewood
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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...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cado Armchairs

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Upholstery, Rosewood

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...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

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Fabric, Rosewood

Finn Juhl 1960 Diplomat Chair in Rosewood
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1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

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Pair of  Finn Juhl '109' Armchairs in Teak, Cognac Leather & Brass, 1946
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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 ...
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1960s Danish Vintage Cado Armchairs

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Finn Juhl NV-48 Armchair
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An elegant design by Danish modern designer Ole Wanscher. An elegant design constructed in a rich dark mahogany. beautiful from all angles. Please inquire about upholstery options. ...
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Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Cado Armchairs

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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

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Model FD 138 Armchair, Finn Juhl, France & Søn, 1960s
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Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Cado Armchairs

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Previously Available Items
1960s Armchair, Ole Wanscher
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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...
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1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

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1960s Armchair, Ole Wanscher
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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...
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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...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

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Mogens Koch Folding Chair
By Mogens Koch, Cado
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.
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Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cado Armchairs

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Brass

Mogens Koch Folding Chair
Mogens Koch Folding Chair
H 34.65 in W 22.05 in D 20.48 in
Grete Jalk Teak Armchair, 1960s Denmark, Manufactured by Cado
By Grete Jalk, Cado
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...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

1960s Ole Wanscher Senator Teak Armchair for Cado, Denmark
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered. - Carefully refurbished. - Measure: height of seat 45 cm.
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Pair of Rosewood Armchairs by Grete Jalk, Model 118 for France & Son, 1960s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk, Cado
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Very comfortable pair of astonishing rosewood lounge chairs by designer Grete Jalk, from the 1960s. One is stamped by Cado (previously known as France & Son) and another one is stamp...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Arne Vodder for Cado Danish Modern Lounge Chair Midcentury
By Cado, Arne Vodder
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...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Textile, Teak

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.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

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...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

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...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Pair of Senator Armchairs, Model 166, by Ole Wanscher for Cado of Denmark
By Cado, Ole Wanscher
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by Cado of Denmark, this pair of armchairs forms part of his Senator series. The chairs are superbly crafted with elegantly curved arms. The dee...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Cado Armchairs

Materials

Textile, Mahogany

Cado armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Cado armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Cado armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Cado were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Poul Jeppesen, Erik Jørgensen, and CFC Silkeborg. Prices for Cado armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,089 and can go as high as $17,100, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,226.
Questions About Cado Armchairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
    The difference between the Cado System and the Royal System lies in their designs. In 1948, designer Poul Cadovius introduced Royal System wall shelving made up of a system of rails that lent an open, airy feel to it. Unveiled by Cadovius in 1960, the Cado System built on the Royal System, with wood paneling added to the rails. The Cado System collection also included coordinating furniture, such as tables and sofas. Find a range of Poul Cadovius wall units on 1stDibs.

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