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.
Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 4 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating book...
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 4 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating book...
Rosewood
Danish Modern 3-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 3-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 3 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating bookcase desi...
Teak
Poul Cadovius for Cado Rosewood 3 Bay Danish Modern Shelving Unit
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in New Windsor, NY
Rosewood three bay modular shelving unit designed by Poul Cadovius for Cado. Circa 1968. The Cado System is comprised of 26 separate parts: four wall mounted brackets, 12 shelf supports, three cabinets and seven shelves. There are two drop front cabinets, one for records which includes wire partitions and the other has a mirrored back with white laminate tops and the largest has two doors with a sliding surface for a stereo turntable...
Metal, Brass
Danish Modern Teak & Glass Cado Wall Unit Display Cabinet
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful teak wall display cabinet designed by Poul Cadiovious for the Cado wall system , this one has its own poles fo easy hanging on the wall and removable glass doors for easy s...
Glass, Teak
Danish Teak 3-Bay Cado Modular Shelving System Poul Cadovius Bookshelf Desk 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A lovely 1960s three-bay Danish teak CADO shelving system designed by Paul Cadovius consisting of 11 shelves, four uprights, plus 22 brackets. These designer shelves are fully modula...
Teak
Danish Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Heal's, Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in London, GB
An outstanding Danish vintage royal shelving system by Poul Cadovius, made in Denmark by Cado. This dates from the 1960’s and was originally purchased in Heal’s. It is a very versat...
Wood
$4,546Sale Price|40% Off
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-bay rosewood wall unit manufactored by Cado We are selling this rosewood wall unit as is for a client who has owned it for many years but no longer ha...
Rosewood
Poul Cadovius "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit Denmark 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit designed by Poul Cadovius ,made in Denmark consisting of 4 modular cabinets and 10 adjustable shelves which can be arran...
Rosewood
Danish Modern Oak Floating Sideboard by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Oak Floating Sideboard by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 2 bay wall unit model Cado with back panels. This is a original vintage floatin...
Oak
Poul Cadovius, Teak Royal System, Scandinavian Midcentury, Denmark 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Göteborg, SE
Poul Cadovius designed the Royal System shelving system in 1948. It was one of the world's first shelves that hung on the wall, freeing up floor space. The shelving system quickly be...
Metal
Danish Modern Teak & Glass Shelving System Abstracta by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Odense, DK
Ingenious minimalist shelving or display unit SYSTEM ABSTRACTA designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, in the 1960s. The system consists of black metal...
Metal
Mid Century Teak Shelving System by P. Cadovius - Danish Wall Unit, Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height) ca. 82,5 x 40 / 50 x 203 cm Elevate your living space with this vintage mid-midcentury modern Poul Cadovius Royal System Wall Unit, a true master...
Glass, Teak
Danish Teak Wall Unit with 3 cabinets by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Big Mid century Danish Teak Wall Unit with 3 cabinets by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s Danish design by Poul Cadovius Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 22 ---- 38 D x ...
Teak
Danish Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in London, GB
An outstanding Danish vintage royal shelving system by Poul Cadovius, made in Denmark by Cado. This dates from the 1960’s and was originally purchased in Heal’s. It is a very versat...
Wood
1960s 1970s Rio Rosewood Shelving System by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
1960s/70s Rio Rosewood Shelving System by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark Object: Shelving Unit Manufacturer: Cado Condition: Good Age: Circa 1960-1970 Dimensions: Width = 241cm...
Rosewood
Danish Modern 1-Bay Walnut Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Walnut Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Cado with back panel. This is a original vi...
Walnut
Danish Teak Wall Unit with Bar Cabinet by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid century Danish Teak Wall Unit with Bar Cabinet by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s Danish design by Poul Cadovius Design year: 1960s D...
Teak
Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Danish Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating bookcase designed by Danis...
Rosewood
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating bookcase desi...
Teak
Shelf by Poul Cadovius, Scandinavian design, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in MONTESSON, FR
Wall shelf designed by the Danish designer Poul Cadovius in the 1960s for Cado. This piece of furniture in Rio rosewood is in keeping with Scandinavian design. This mid-century moder...
Rosewood
Scandinavian rosewood wall cabinet by Poul Cadovius, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in MONTESSON, FR
Scandinavian wall cabinet designed by Poul Cadovius and produced by Cado. It is made of Rio rosewood. This piece of furniture, from the 1960s, is in good original condition. It has 2...
Glass, Rosewood
Original Poul Cadovius Midcentury Bücherregal Wandregal Cado Teak
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes kleines Wandregal vom dänischen Traditionshersteller Cado aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem wurde von Poul Cadovius entworfen und erl...
Teak
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving system model Royal. This is an original vintage floating bookcase desi...
Teak
$1,495 / set
CADO Teak Butterfly Wall Shelves Set of 4 (NOS)
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Hanover, MA
We have 4 original 1960's CADO butterfly wall shelves in teak model 2030 by Poul Cadovious of Denmark. These are vintage unused New Old Stock. Three of the four have never been take...
Teak
$2,996Sale Price|20% Off
Mid century sideboard by Ditte and Adrian Heath for France & son, Denmark 1960s
By France & Søn, Ditte & Adrian Heath, Adrian Heath, Cado
Located in ECHT, NL
Mid century sideboard with sliding doors and 3 interior drawers. Designed by Ditte and Adrian Heath and produced by France & son (CADO) in the 1960s in Denmark. Made from solid oak...
Oak
1960s wall shelf, Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of nine shelves, a record container, and three wooden ladder...
Wood, Teak
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
By Poul Cadovius
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
$3,362 / set
H 78.75 in W 63 in D 14.97 in
Poul Cadovius, Teak Royal System, Scandinavian Midcentury, Denmark 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Göteborg, SE
Poul Cadovius designed the Royal System shelving system in 1948. It was one of the world's first shelves that hung on the wall, freeing up floor space. The shelving system quickly be...
Metal
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 30 in D 16 in
Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...
Teak
Teak Royal System with conical Desk by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Handewitt, DE
Royal system by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark. With 1 small cabinet, shelfes and conical shaped desk. brass holders. Part of the table top can be folded up. 1960s production. Size: ...
Teak
Large Danish Teak Wall Bookcase by Poul Cadovius, F139
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large wall bookcase from the 60's designed by the Danish designer Poul Cadovius. This bookcase is composed of different modular elements on three ...
Teak
$1,623
H 16.74 in W 63 in D 15.75 in
Danish Modern Oak Floating Sideboard by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Oak Floating Sideboard by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 2 bay wall unit model Cado with back panels. This is a original vintage floatin...
Oak
$4,546Sale Price|40% Off
H 73.04 in W 93.71 in D 16.54 in
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-bay rosewood wall unit manufactored by Cado We are selling this rosewood wall unit as is for a client who has owned it for many years but no longer ha...
Rosewood
$5,760 / set
H 84.25 in W 36.125 in D 12 in
Vintage Danish Teak Bookcases, Set of Three, Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit, 1960s
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
An elegant Set of Three Danish bookcases, crafted from teak veneer in a Mid-Century Modern style, featuring multiple shelves for ample storage and display. Each bookcase is made fro...
Teak
$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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning "CADO" 3-bay Rosewood Modular Shelf System Wall Unit designed by Poul Cadovius ,made in Denmark consisting of 4 modular cabinets and 10 adjustable shelves which can be arran...
Rosewood
$3,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 95 in W 90 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Modular Adjustable Wall Unit Shelving 1960s-- 22 pcs Complete Wall
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Madison, WI
Very cool, versatile wall unit shelving modular set. Includes 9 regular shelves Includes 6 Medium shelves Includes 3 Large shelves 37 shelving brackets of various sizes 4 mounting po...
Metal
$1,855
H 77.96 in W 31.5 in D 18.9 in
Danish Modern 1-Bay Walnut Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Walnut Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Cado with back panel. This is a original vi...
Walnut
$753
H 21.26 in W 94.49 in D 9.65 in
Original Poul Cadovius Midcentury Bücherregal Wandregal Cado Teak
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes kleines Wandregal vom dänischen Traditionshersteller Cado aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem wurde von Poul Cadovius entworfen und erl...
Teak
Mid-Century Dresser by Cado
By Cado
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century six drawer dresser. Made from teak wood by Cado, circa 1970s. This dresser is uncomplicated and features clean lines. Excellent wood grain and craftsmanship throughout th...
Wood, Teak
Pair of Danish Vintage Teak Chest of Drawers by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of Danish vintage teak chest of drawers by Poul Cadovius. They date from the 1960’s, they were designed by Poul Cadovius and made in Denmark by his company, Cado. Th...
Teak
Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado. This teak setup has one drawer cabinet, two storage cabinets, one display cabinet and nine bookshelves. Always adaptable and furth...
Glass, Teak
Sold
H 38.98 in W 32.88 in D 9.45 in
Danish Teak Shelving System Royal by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Teak Shelving System Royal by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. This is a version of the Royal wall unit by Poul Cadovius with beautiful teak veneered shelves. Designed in 1948 ...
Teak
Sold
H 77.96 in W 190.56 in D 15.95 in
Danish 6-Bay Modular Teak Corner Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish 6-Bay Modular Teak Corner Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Large and impressive Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 6 bay L-shaped shelving system model Royal. This is...
Teak
Sold
H 68.9 in W 119.49 in D 9.45 in
Danish Walnut Shelving System Royal by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Walnut Shelving System Royal by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1950s. This is an early version of the Royal wall unit by Poul Cadovius with beautiful stained walnut veneered shelves...
Walnut
Sold
H 97.64 in W 125.99 in D 22.05 in
Large four-part bookcase, by Poul Cadovius, Editions CADO, Denmark, circa 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, FR
Cado shelving system by Poul Cadovius in exotic wood veneer, composed of: – 4 rack panels: H 248 cm (97.6 in) x W 80 cm (31.5 in) x D 5 cm (1.97 in). – 1 cabinet with 4 compartments, blue-gray and black background: H 56 cm (22 in) x W 80 cm (31.5 in) x D 24 cm (9.5 in). – 1 empty cabinet. H 56 cm (22 in) x W 80 cm (31.5 in) x D 24 cm (9.5 in). – 2 cabinets with two sliding glass doors and glass...
Wood
Sold
H 80 in W 132.5 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood Freestanding Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Danish modern design with this stunning rosewood wall unit, expertly crafted by the renowned designer Poul Cadovius for Cado in Denmark d...
Metal
Sold
H 79.73 in W 127.56 in D 19.1 in
Vintage modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for CADO, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado. This teak setup has two storage cabinets, one display cabinet, one desk shelf and eight bookshelves. Always adaptable and further ...
Wood, Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 94.49 in D 14.57 in
Poul Cadovius, Teak Royal System, Scandinavian Midcentury, Denmark 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Göteborg, SE
Poul Cadovius designed the Royal System shelving system in 1948. It was one of the world's first shelves that hung on the wall, freeing up floor space. The shelving system quickly be...
Metal
Poul Cadovius Royal Cado Shelving System, Teak & Glass, 1968
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cado Royal System 3 bay Unit. Includes 3 cabinets and 8 shelves. Unit comes with Four 78" tall brackets that mount to the wall. Endless possibilities in the way you hang this very...
Brass
Sold
H 79.73 in W 190.56 in D 12.8 in
Vintage Danish Oak Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Oak Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 6 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating bookcase...
Oak