While Poul Cadovius is most famous for his modular floating shelving system, his career in design didn’t actually start with wall units.
Born just outside of Copenhagen in 1911, Cadovius began manufacturing window treatments in the 1940s with his partner, Hother Brønner. He soon turned his focus from Venetian blinds to furniture, finding success designing svelte pieces in teak, a richly colored hardwood favored by the Danish mid-century modernists.
In 1945, Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System with his designs, including 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.
Cadovius followed the Royal System shelving unit with the System Ultra in 1957, the System Cado in 1960 and the System Abstracta, which was installed throughout the exhibition halls of the 1962 Cologne Furniture Fair. All expanded on his idea of wall-mounted shelving that saved space while offering functionality, allowing for limitless combinations of storage, shelves, work surfaces and other units. The Royal System proved to be especially popular and is still produced by Danish furniture brand dk3 today, with early models continuing to be in demand.
Along with the shelving systems, Cadovius designed everything from lounge chairs to mushroom-shaped bus shelters, and he held over 400 patents. In addition to being a designer, he was also an entrepreneur with an eye for opportunity, such as purchasing Danish manufacturer France & Søn in the mid-1960s and folded it into Cado, a company he founded years earlier. He used this as an occasion to experiment with his designs, conceiving such unusual pieces as an aluminum-based dining table topped with rosewood and hand-painted by artist Susan Fjedldoe Mygge.
Cadovius’s innovations in shelving continued throughout his career, with examples like the sculptural Butterfly shelf and vertical pieces mixing shelving and storage. In 2018, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal System, dk3 reissued the celebrated shelving system as well as a more compact version reimagined for 21st-century homes.
Find a collection of vintage Poul Cadovius storage cabinets, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Poul Cadovius Round Dining Table Aluminum & Melamine
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Hanover, MA
Poul Cadovius (1911-2011) early 1960s round single pedestal dining/breakfast table with a tulip form spun aluminum round base and integrated stem supporting a satin finish white mela...
Aluminum
Poul Cadovius Danish Rosewood Headboard with Auxiliary Matching Side Tables
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Low Headboard with Matching Attached Side Tables having a shelf and drawer (POUL CADOVIUS)
Rosewood
Side Tables “Abstracta” system designed by Poul Cadovius 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
Elegant side tables 2 sizes is made of high quality chrome plated metal. It has a thin, tubular metal frame with the connections in each corner allowing the piece to be built up an...
Chrome
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Poul Cadovius Beautiful Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular Top Inlaid With Brushed Chrome Floral Decoration Made In Denmark 1960's Poul Cadovius (1911 - 2011) was one of the most colourful and successful persons in the history of Danish furniture industry. He was originally educated as an upholsterer but became very interested in design at an early stage, and in 1945 he established his own furniture manufacturing company Royal System. A few years later, in 1948, he designed the iconic shelving system ROYAL...
Steel
Rare 63" Round Solid Teak Danish Modern Dining Table by Cado and France and Søn
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: CADO / France + Søn Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 63” diameter x 28.5” tall Condition: In excellent original condition. Pr...
Teak
Rare Chess, Coffee/Coctail Tables By Poul Cadovius For France and Son
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare square and rectangular set of 2 tables designed by Poul Cadovius and produced by France and Søn in the 1960s. Both tables are inlaid with hardwood veneer and steel chess board g...
Aluminum, Steel
Poul Cadovius and Bjorn Wiinblad for Cado Mid Century Pedestal Dining Table
By Susanne Fjedldoe Mygge, Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Stunning Hand Painted Circular Dining Table on a Brushed Metal Tulip Base, With Epoxy Resin Varnished Top - 1970's Made in Denmark by Poul Cadovius, Bjørn Wiinblad & Susanne Fjeldsøe MyGge...
Steel
Aage Egeriis fiberglass coffee table base, 1960s, France and Son, Poul Cadovius
By Aage Egeriis, Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, FR
Aage Egeriis fiberglass coffee table base, 1960s, France et Fils, Poul Cadovius as editor. . Laquered in red. . Dimensions : Height : 43 cm Width : 60 cm Length : 120 cm Approximati...
Glass, Fiberglass
Coffee Table Made In Teak By Poul Cadovius & Made By France & Son From 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Lejre, DK
This coffee table, a hallmark of Danish design from the 1960s, reflects the innovative vision of Poul Cadovius and the renowned craftsmanship of France & Son. Crafted from rich teak ...
Teak
Scandinavian Modern Square Rosewood Coffee or Cocktail Table by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in London, GB
Scandinavian Modern Rosewood Table by Poul Cadovius – Timeless Design Introducing a timeless piece of Scandinavian Modern design, this exquisite table is a creation of renowned desi...
Rosewood
Original Midcentury Poul Cadovius Wandregal Royal Cado 1960 Teak
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Wandregal "Royal System" von Poul Cadovius aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem besteht aus 3 Wandleisten und 12 höhenverstellbaren Böde...
Metal
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Chess/Coffee Table by Poul Cadovius for France and Son
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Rosewood and Aluminum Chess Coffee Table, designed by Paul Cadovius for France & Son in Denmark in 1965. This example dates to the 1960s. The top is done in rosewood with i...
Aluminum, Chrome, Steel
Original Midcentury Poul Cadovius Wandregal Royal Cado 1960 Teak4
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Wandregal "Royal System" von Poul Cadovius aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem besteht aus 2 Wandleisten, 4 höhenverstellbaren Regalböd...
Metal
Original Midcentury Poul Cadovius Wandregal Royal Cado 1960 Teak3
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Wandregal "Royal System" von Poul Cadovius aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem besteht aus 2 Wandleisten, 2 höhenverstellbaren Regalböd...
Metal
Lilly Just Lichtenberg for Poul Cadovius Table ceramik Denmark 1960 Signed
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, IDF
Lilly Just Lichtenberg low table for Poul Cadovius, Denmark 1960. Handmade ceramic in terracotta and green tones on a metal base. Signed by the ...
Metal
Cado Paul Cadovious Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Drop Leaves Dining Table MINT
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Rockaway, NJ
2x23” leaves with an extended table length of 93
Teak
$3,032 / set
Poul Cadovius Chess Table
By Poul Cadovius
Located in London, Lambeth
Beautiful pair of side tables with a playing surface in rosewood and teak inlay. Simple flexible design circa 1960s by Poul Cadovius for France & Son.
Rosewood
Collectable Mygge & Bjorn Wiinblad France & Sons Mid Century Modern Dining Table
By Poul Cadovius, Bjorn Wiinblad, Susanne Fjedldoe Mygge
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime original fully stamped and signed Bjorn Wiinblad and Poul Cadovius for France & Son Denmark dining table with the top painted by Susan...
Iron
$2,967
H 19.3 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
1960s Johannes Anderson Circular Rosewood Coffee Table For CFC Silkeborg
By CFC Silkeborg
Located in London, GB
A striking circular rosewood coffee table by Danish designer Johannes Andersen, made for CFC Silkeborg circa the 1960s. Crafted in richly grained Rio rosewood, this table exemplifies...
Rosewood
$800
H 12 in W 26 in D 22.88 in
Ole Gjerlov-Knudsen France & Sons Teak Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table
By France & Søn, Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind
Located in Wayne, NJ
France & Sons teak Danish Scandinavian Modern coffee table. Designed by Ole Gjerlov-Knudsen and Torben Lind. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact...
Teak
Side Table, 1960s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Vintage side table Period: 1960s Material: wood, formica Colour: Clear, dark red Condition: good original vintage condition, signs of use dimensions: Height = 58cm, di...
Hardwood
1970s Fully Restored Danish Rosewood Side Table
Located in Knebel, DK
1970s fully restored Danish rosewood side table Elegant, minimalistic well crafted small Danish sidetable table. The side table has been fully restored and refinished by our cabi...
Mahogany
$9,653
H 28.35 in W 63.78 in D 55.52 in
Teak Dining Table by Peter Hvidt and Orla Møllgaard for France & Son, Denmark
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stunning, sculptural teak drop-leaf dining table by Peter Hvidt and Orla Møllgaard. Beautiful oval shape and legs in the shape of five joined, sculpted rectangles. Beautiful teak woo...
Teak
$16,800
H 12.41 in Dm 39.38 in
Rosewood and marble Coffee Table by Unknown designer, Brazilian Midentury, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Brazilian designs inspired many other craftsmen and small manufacturers with their vanguard production concerning Brazilian materiality and the "modern values" of the form...
Marble
Severin Hansen, Side Tables, Rosewood, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rosewood side tables designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev, Denmark, c. 1960s. Variance to wood tone and grain of each table as observable in photos.
Rosewood
Danish Modern Expanding Teak Dining Table by Faarup Mobelfabrik
By Faarup Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 28.50in H x 68in W - 105in W x 35.50in D 2x Extension Leaf 18.50in ________________________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern ...
Teak
Round Dining Table
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Very nice dining table in Scandinavian style. The edges of the table are processed into different surfaces (shapes of gemstone) and represent the central piece. The legs of the tab...
Hardwood
Round Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular dining table with a painted cast concrete sculptural base with a round beveled glass top. Light and airy, this table would look fabulous with either traditional or cont...
Concrete
Danish Mid Century Rosewood Side Table, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Authentic Danish mid century side table from the 1960s, crafted from solid wood with rich rosewood veneer. Clean geometric lines and compact scale embody Scandinavian modern design p...
Rosewood
Danish Modern Teak Dining Table by Karl-Erik Ekselius
By J.O. Carlsson, Karl-Erik Ekselius
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Dining Table, designed by Karl Erik Ekselius for J.O. Carlsson, Sweden, circa 1960s. It expands from a compact 47.5" round shape to an impressive 94.25" length ova...
Wood, Teak
Sold
H 70.08 in W 36.62 in D 15.75 in
Original Midcentury Poul Cadovius Wandregal Royal Cado 1960 Teak2
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Wandregal "Royal System" von Poul Cadovius aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem besteht aus 2 Wandleisten, 2 höhenverstellbaren Regalböd...
Metal
Poul Cadovius Cado Danish Modern Teak Dining Table Drop Leaf
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Danish Modern Expandable Dining Table by Poul Cadovius. One removable drop leaf on each side. 47.25w 31.5d 28h each leaf is 23.25w
Wood
Poul Cadovius Tile Top Round Table 1960's
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This round table, featuring a tile top that radiates modern sensibility, is a piece by Danish furniture designer and craftsman POUL CADOVIUS. Made in Denmark during the 1960s (estima...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 39 in D 39 in
Beautiful Mid century Danish Modern teak square extension dining table Cado
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish Modern teak small square extension dining table Beautiful teak table that extends with (2) nesting pull out leaves. The leaves have carved handles under leaf to pu...
Birch, Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 46.46 in
Danish Vintage Mygge Dining Table by Poul Cadovius and Bjorn Wiinblad for Cado
By Susanne Fjedldoe Mygge, Poul Cadovius, Bjorn Wiinblad, Cado
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish vintage Mygge dining table by Poul Cadovius and Bjorn Wiinblad for Cado, dating from the 1960’s. This is a beautiful and iconic design, it is also very practical. ...
Steel
1970s Poul Cadovius Round Dining Table by France & Son, Denmark
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use
Chrome
Poul Cadovius Mid-Century Modern Dining Table for France & Søn, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern dining room table. Design by Poul Cadovius for France & Søn. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Original tulip form spun aluminum round ba...
Aluminum
1960s Poul Cadovius & Susanne Fjedldoe Mygge Round Table, Denmark
By Susanne Fjedldoe Mygge, Poul Cadovius
Located in Praha, CZ
Good/very good original condition with minor signs of use
Metal
Poul Cadovius red oak table
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Grenoble, FR
Poul Cadovius rare model of coffee table which accompanies the Cado bookcases by Poul Cadovius
Oak
1960s Finn Juhl Diplomat Series Desk with 6 drawers in Rosewood
By Finn Juhl, Poul Cadovius
Located in Seattle, WA
An original rosewood desk designed by Finn Juhl for Cado ( Originally France & Sons, the company was purchased by Poul Cadovius in the 1960s and renamed to Cado), in a rarer configur...
Rosewood
Sold
H 19.49 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Chess and Coffee Table by Poul Cadovius, 1960s.
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Rosewood Chess and Coffee Table by Poul Cadovius, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern checkered parquet coffee table from the series "Governor". Designed by Danish d...
Rosewood
Sold
H 19.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
France & Son Danish Modern Rosewood Chessboard Coffee Table by Poul Cadovius
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage rosewood coffee table with a chessboard style top designed by Poul Cadovius for France & Son. Marked underneath with "Made in Denmark" stamping as well as the France & Son me...
Rosewood