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.
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
Danish Teak 3-Bay Cado Modular Shelving System Poul Cadovius Bookshelf Desk 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
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
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 Denmark consisting of 4 modular cabinets and 10 adjustable shelves which can be arran...
Rosewood
Poul Cadovius Royal Cado Shelving System, Teak & Glass, 1968
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$4,615Sale 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
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
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
Small Poul Cadovius Wall Unit with Desk, Mid-Century Shelf Royal System, Denmark
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 ...
Glass, Teak
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 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
$1,495 / set
CADO Teak Butterfly Wall Shelves Set of 4 (NOS)
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
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
Danish Teak Wall Unit with Bar Cabinet by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
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
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to include the type and number of pieces you need. We have both the Royal System and the Cado systems...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen shelf system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 8 shelves - 2 cabinets - 3 wall brackets detailed meas...
Teak
On Hold|$4,950
H 58 in W 126.5 in D 28.5 in
Five Bay Teak Wall Mounted Shelving (w/ Corner) Unit By Torbjorn Afdal C. 1960s
By Bruksbo, Cado, Torbjørn Afdal, Poul Cadovius
Located in Peabody, MA
Midcentury "Cado " style wall-mounted shelving unit in teak, circa 1960s, from the "Veggen de Luxe" line, designed by Torbjorn Afdal and Rolf Hesland, made in Norway by Ringerike Mobel in collaboration with Bruskbo. Five bay unit consists of a corner section with work desk, a cabinet with four drawers and interior LP record storage...
Teak
$3,421 / set
H 78.75 in W 63 in D 14.97 in
Poul Cadovius, Teak Royal System, Scandinavian Midcentury, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
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
“Sistema Reale” Modular Bookshelf by Poul Cadovius for Cado
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Roma, RM
“Sistema Reale” Modular Bookshelf by Poul Cadovius for Cado Product details Scandinavian shelving system with five wall panels supporting various shelves, drawers, and display cabine...
Metal
$8,883 / set
H 120.87 in W 79.53 in D 12.8 in
Large 1950s Italian Mid Century Teak Maple Freestanding Shelving System 18 Piece
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Recently imported from Italy, this is a good example of post war Italian Avant Garde design. Measuring an impressive 3-metres from floor to ceiling – a common height in Italian apartments – with opportunity to arrange the shelves to suit. This impressive freestanding storage...
Brass
On Hold|$4,250
H 57.75 in W 106 in D 16 in
Three-Bay Teak Wall Mounted Shelving Unit By Torbjorn Afdal C. 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado, Torbjørn Afdal, Bruskbo
Located in Peabody, MA
Midcentury "Cado" style wall-mounted shelving unit in teak, circa 1960s, from the "Veggen de Luxe" line, designed by Torbjorn Afdal and Rolf Hesland, made in Norway by Ringerike Mobe...
Teak
$6,746
H 68.12 in W 94.49 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius Danemark , 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius, Danemark 1960
Wood
$1,895
H 79.75 in W 64.75 in D 214.75 in
Mid-Century Poul Cadovius Royal System Wall Unit, Teak, Integrated Desk
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Cadovius designed this two-section wall-mounted shelving system for Royal System in Denmark, combining functional storage with elegant Danish Modern design. The unit features bl...
Metal, Enamel
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 t...
Teak
$1,656
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
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 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
A Danish modular teak shelf by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian shelving unit/bookcase comprising: - 8 shelves, each 22 cm deep - A display cabinet with two wooden hinged doors opening onto two height-adjustable glass shelves, 30 cm ...
Teak
Modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius in teak
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado. This teak setup has one drawer cabinet, four storage cabinets, one desk shelf and twelve bookshelves. Always adaptable and further...
Teak
Sold
H 79.73 in W 159.45 in D 18.9 in
1970s Danish Cadovius Teak 5-Bay Cado Modular Shelving System Bookshelf Library
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A stunning 1970s five-bay Danish teak CADO shelving system designed by Paul Cadovius consisting of 32 pieces including the uprights, plus 50 brackets. Th...
Teak
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): - 2 shelves 22 cm deep - 4 shelves 30 cm deep - A modular lamp - 3 racks 200 cm high.
Rosewood
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 four shelves, two containers with sliding doors and four ...
Wood
1960s Wall shelf, Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of eight shelves and three wooden ladders. Quality Features: accompli...
Wood
Room-Divider Teak Shelf by Poul Cadovius, Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Room-Divider Shelf by Poul Cadovius Royal System, 1960s Rare vintage teak shelving unit by Poul Cadovius, 1960s. This freestanding unit is tension-mounted between floor and ceiling,...
Steel
Sold
H 78.75 in W 127.56 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Teak Bookcase Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius "Royal System", 1960s High quality "Royal System" shelving system by Poul Cadovius. A modular wall shelf made of teak and black steel brackets. Dimension...
Steel
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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Poul Cadovius classic modular unit produced by CADO, Denmark, during the 1960s. Rare free standing model. Made in teak.
Brass