Poul Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System in 1945. While the Danish designer is most famous for his novel modular floating shelving systems, 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.
Royal System was a home for producing Cadovius’s designs, which 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.
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 by vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors and design enthusiasts alike.
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 vintage Royal System shelving units, bookcases and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Poul Cadovius hanging Royal Wall System 1950s Denmark
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
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
Poul Cadovius for Cado/Royal System 3-Bay Wall Unit in Brazilian Rosewood
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
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
Poul Cadovius modular floating Teak and White Wall system 1960s Denmark
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beathiful iconic Poul Cadovius Royal Wall System . Comes in a very nice Teak And White color combination . Denmark 1960s The set is consisting of .3 very Hight 230 cm and 1 short...
Teak
$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
$3,406 / 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
$2,390
H 30 in W 36 in D 18 in
Stunning Brazilian Rosewood Cabinet made in Denmark attrib. to Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish Modernist Rosewood cabinet with stunning book-matched doors revealing an interior of mahogany with adjustable shelf. Minimal design with mitered corners and unusual al...
Aluminum
$2,584
H 67.33 in W 63.19 in D 15.75 in
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Oak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 2-Bay Modular Oak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern 2 bay shelving system model Cado with back panels. This is a original vint...
Oak
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
Poul Cadovius 4 "Royal System" Columns in Teak, 1970
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, FR
Royal System" wall unit by Poul Cadovius, in teak, with seven shelves and four boxes. The set is supported by a hanging system of wooden brackets. Dimensions of the elements : - 2 modules with sliding doors: D.40 x H.43 x W.80 cm - 1 module with flaps and drawers : D.40 x H.43 x W.80 cm - 1 storage module for vinyl : D.40 x H.43 x W.80 cm - 6 shelves : D.22 x W.80 cm - 1 shelf : D.30 x W.80 cm The "Royal System" : the modular Scandinavian design These design shelves are fully modular. The elements are attached to the wall moldings...
Teak
$1,644
H 77.96 in W 31.5 in D 18.9 in
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Oak Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern 1-Bay Modular Oak 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 vinta...
Oak
$1,879
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
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
$3,289
H 79.93 in W 32.68 in D 19.69 in
Small Poul Cadovius Wall Unit with Desk, Mid-Century Shelf Royal System, Denmark
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 ...
Glass, Teak
$1,644
H 16.74 in W 63 in D 15.75 in
Danish Modern Oak Floating Sideboard by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s.
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
Danish Mid Century Poul Cadovius Cado Wall Unit Bookcase Freestanding
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Poul Cadovius Single Wall Unit or Bookcase. Cabinets and Shelves can be re-arranged. 33wide 17deep 78tall
Brass
Poul Cadovius modular Royal Wall System 1950s Denmark
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage iconic wall system designed in 1948 by the Danish designer Poul Cadovius. The Royal System has been released at Cado Denmark. The wall system is made of teak and consists of...
Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 96.46 in D 20.48 in
Stunning free standing Royal Wall system Poul Cadovius 1950s Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Den Haag, NL
Stunning Poul Cadovius free standing wall system . No drilling in the wall Beautiful warm Teak color .Black Metal frame . comes with 3 cabinets ,and a extra large writing shelve . V...
Teak
Sold
H 16.75 in W 32.75 in D 14.75 in
Pair of Royal System Wall Mounted Cabinets by Poul Cadovius w/ Dark Teak Frames
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of two Mid-Century Poul Cadovius wall mounted cabinets for Royal Systems. One cabinet has a locking a white lacquered drop down door with one with single shelf inside and the ot...
Felt, Formica, Teak
Sold
H 67 in W 32.88 in D 9.63 in
Poul Cadovius Royal Rosewood Wall Mount Sliding Glass Front Cabinet and Shelving
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An interchangeable Poul Cadovius rosewood wall mounted Royal System with shelving, black risers and a cabinet with glass doors and shelf. This can be a mul...
Glass, Rosewood
Poul Cadovius Teak Royal Wall System 1950/60 Denmark
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
For sale this Iconic wall system by Poul Cadovius for Royal system . Poul Cadovius saw a challenge in the heavy furniture, that took up a lot of floor space, and by introducing the n...
Teak
Poul Cadovius Wall Mounted "Royal" Shelving Unit with Cabinet
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century, Poul Cadovius designed, wall mounted shelving unit from the famed and ground breaking line of "Royal" furniture. Beautifully designed unit in dark stained teak with thre...
Formica, Teak
Sold
H 75.5 in W 94.5 in D 19.25 in
Royal System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius with Black Vinyl Backboards
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare midcentury free standing teak Royal System wall unit by Poul Cadovius. This modular piece has three connecting black vinyl back boards with risers on each side. The system inclu...
Metal
Large Poul Cadovius Royal wall system 1950s Denmark
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Poul Cadovius Royal System hanging wall system . Iconic design by this famous Danish designer from the 1950s . consisting off .5 uprights 4 cabinets and 10 shelves and the n...
Teak
Sold
H 77.96 in W 94.89 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Modular Danish Royal System Teak Wall Unit Shelving by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System”, originally designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948, offers a wide variety of storage and display options. This particular modular arrangement comprises 4 uprights, 3 shelves, 2 glass-fronted cabinets with adjustable glass shelves, 1 sliding door cabinet, 1 drop front basket weave cabinet with two green baize lined drawers and shelf, flanked by 2 twin-door cupboards each with an adjustable wooden shelf. There are a couple of small marks to the top of the basket weave cabinet, which I’ve photographed, other than that it has been very well looked after and is in lovely period condition. Each shelf is stamped ‘Made in Denmark’. Measures: Four Teak uprights - 198cm long Each individual piece is 80cm wide. Shelves - 1 x 24cm deep and 2 x 20cm deep Large glazed...
Metal
Poul Cadovius Floating Wall System, 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Den Haag, NL
Poul Cadovius wall system for Royal System Denmark 1960s. Consisting off 4 wall rails. Two Cabinets. One writing cabinet, and one with sliding doors, and fourteen shelves, comes wit...
Teak