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.
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
Side Table Made In Rosewood Of Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The side table crafted from rosewood and showcasing Danish design from the 1960s is a striking example of mid-century modern elegance. Rosewood, prized for its rich hues and distin...
Rosewood
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
$4,320
H 19.3 in Dm 47.05 in
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
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
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 19.8 in W 27.6 in D 27.6 in
Danish Teak Side Tables by Vejle Stole, Square Design, 1960s
By Vejle Stole & Møbelfabrik, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish pair of square teak wood side or end tables in classical Scandinavian Modern style, manufactured by "Vejle Stole Og Møbelfabrik", Denmark, circa 1960.
Teak
Side Table Made In Rosewood, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table in rosewood of Danish design from the 1960s. The table is in great vintage condition.
Rosewood
Side Table Made In Rosewood, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table in rosewood from the 1960s, made in Danish design. The table is made of beautiful rosewood with clear and elegant grain patterns, which gives it an exclusive and natural e...
Rosewood
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
Bedside Table/Side Table In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish bedside table/side table in teak from the 1960s. Completely renovated and in great condition. — Designer: Dansk Design — Period: 1960s — Material: Teak — Details: Completely ...
Teak
Side Table Made In Rosewood Designed by Severin Hansen From 1960s
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Lejre, DK
A rosewood side table designed by Severin Hansen and crafted by the esteemed Haslev Furniture Factory in the 1960s. This elegant piece exudes the timeless charm and exceptional craft...
Rosewood
$1,046
H 16.93 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Coffee Table Made In Teak By Poul Cadovius & Made By France & Son From 1960s
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
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
Side Table, 1960s, Meblo
By Meblo
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Vintage side table with three drawers and additional storage space with two shelves. Material: wood, furnished, plywood Period: 1960s Production: Slovenia/Yugoslavia Deta...
Plywood
$7,850 / set
H 33 in W 102 in D 16 in
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
Sold
H 68.9 in W 95.67 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Modular Floating Shelf Wall System in Teak, Denmark, 1950's
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful modular floating shelving system, by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. Cabinet 80 x 37.5 x 42.5 cm Magazine holder 80 x 30 cm 1 x Shelf 80 x 33 cm 1 x Shelf 80 x 30 c...
Metal
Sold
H 56.3 in W 64.18 in D 11.82 in
2 Cabinet Poul Cadovius Modular Floating Wall System in Teak, Denmark, 1950's
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful modular floating shelving system, by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. Measures: cabinet 80 x 30 x 33.5 cm Cabinet 80 x 30 x 78.5cm 3 x Shelf 80 x 20 cm 3 Mounting ...
Metal
Sold
H 79.53 in W 64.18 in D 11.82 in
Poul Cadovius Modular Floating Wall System in Teak, Denmark, 1950's
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful modular floating shelving system, by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. Display cabinet 80 x 30 x 33.5 cm Chest of drawers 80 x 30 x 15.5 cm Cabinet 80 x 30 x 33.5 cm 1 ...
Metal
Sold
H 68.9 in W 94.49 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius for Royal System Wall System in Teak, Denmark, 1950's
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful modular floating shelving system, by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. Fairly rare is the desk with 2 drawers and the display cabinet with beautiful glass windows. Display cabinet 80 x 30 x 33.5 cm Chest of drawers 80 x 30 x 24.5 cm Desk 80...
Metal
Poul Cadovius "Absracta" Chrome and Glass Table
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Chrome cube table from the 'Abstracta' collection by Poul Cadovius produced by Royal System, Denmark. Glass top and bottom at floor level. Chrome and glass is in vintage condition.
Chrome