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.
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
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...
Brass, Metal
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
1960s wall shelf, Poul Cadovius
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$4,594Sale Price|40% Off
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Cado, Poul Cadovius, Heal's
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
Mid Century Teak Shelving System by P. Cadovius - Danish Wall Unit, Royal System
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 Royal System Wall Unit, a true master...
Glass, 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
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
Danish Modern Teak & Glass Shelving System Abstracta by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$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
Poul Cadovius hanging Royal Wall System 1950s Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Den Haag, NL
For sale this iconic Royal System by Poul Cadovius 1950s in the rare African Bonkonko Wood Beautiful warm light color . 4 uprights 2 Cabinets 12 shelves ....
Wood
$3,416 / 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
$2,413
H 58.47 in W 64.38 in D 14.97 in
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Teak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$6,184
H 84.65 in W 127.56 in D 15.95 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$3,239
H 78.75 in W 64.57 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in The Hague, NL
Original freestanding wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, model Royal, in the 1960s for Royal System, Denmark. Freestanding wall unit consists 3 black metal uprights, one cabinet an...
Metal
$6,711
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
$10,000
H 96 in W 94.75 in D 20 in
Poul Cadovius for Cado/Royal System 3-Bay Wall Unit in Brazilian Rosewood
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1960s by Poul Cadovius, this 2nd generation wall unit was produced by Cado during the same time period. Cado as a company was founded when Poul began selling his...
Glass, Rosewood
$1,800 / set
H 50.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Abstracta Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius for Royal System Smoked Glass - 2 Pcs
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Abstracta Modular Shelf by Poul Cadovius for Royal System with Smoked Glass - 2 Pc Set. Item features 2 shelves with slight variation in shelf height, clean Modernist lines, great st...
Chrome
$10,484
H 98.43 in W 94.89 in D 19.3 in
1960s 1970s Rio Rosewood Shelving System by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$3,534
H 86.62 in W 68.51 in D 9.85 in
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960 Danish design by F.H Møbler Design year: 1960s Dimensions: : 25 D x 174 W x 220 H cm ...
Teak
1960s wall unit, Poul Cadovius, vintage
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of six shelves, two containers with glass doors, one contain...
Glass, Wood, Teak
1950s wall unit, Poul Cadovius, vintage
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1950s. The high-quality shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of seven shelves, a hinged table element, and three wooden ladders. Detai...
Teak
Sold
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
Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, Denmark, 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 80 in W 132.5 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood Freestanding Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
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
A Danish modular teak shelf by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
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 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 - 4 shelves 30 cm deep - A modular lamp - 3 racks 200 cm high.
Rosewood
1960s Wall shelf, Poul Cadovius
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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