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.
Mid-Century Poul Cadovius Royal System Wall Unit, Teak, Integrated Desk
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
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
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
$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
$2,864
H 61.03 in W 63.78 in D 14.77 in
Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains one cabinet with drawers and 7 shelves This piece is completely adjustable, and...
Teak
$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 Poul Cadovius, Cado, Torbjørn Afdal, Bruksbo
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
$5,900
H 95.5 in W 65.5 in D 21 in
Mid Century Omni Wood Modular Wall Unit Shelving & Bookcase by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern Omni wall unit shelving system designed by George Nelson is circa 1960. This ingenious shelving system features spring-loaded floor to ceiling aluminu...
Metal, Aluminum
$8,776 / 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
$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 Cado, Torbjørn Afdal, Bruskbo, 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 Mobe...
Teak
Mid-century Walnut Wall Unit in the style of Poul Cadovius, c. 1960
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classic mid-century wall unit with four wall mounted upright rails where four short and two long adjustable shelves sit on the patinated metal rungs. Additionally, this unit includ...
Walnut
$3,507Sale Price|20% Off
H 71.86 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Mid Century Wall Unit Cabinet by Nils Jonsson for Troeds
By Nils Jonsson, Troeds Bjarnum 1
Located in Mortsel, BE
Very nice wall cabinet, some wear and tear see pictures please
Wood, Rosewood
$2,864
H 63.78 in W 95.28 in D 15.75 in
Poul Cadovius Mid- Century Modern Modular Teak Wall Unit Shelving for Cado, 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish modern teak wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is contains one cabinet and 9 shelves This piece is completely adjustable, and any of the c...
Metal
Large Mid-Century Modern Bookcase or Wall Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive Mid-Century Modern wall unit boasts natural wood finish and spacious storage options add to the appeal of this stunning piece. This vintage modern sideboard features ...
Wood
$8,900 / set
H 78.25 in W 107.5 in D 17.75 in
Large Mid Century Swedish Teak Wood Bookshelf Wall Unit by Bodafors
By Bertil Fridhagen, Bodafors
Located in Detroit, MI
This beautiful vintage mid century Swedish modern four-piece teak wood bookcase wall unit was designed by Bertil Fridhagen for Bodafors and made in Sweden in 1962. The minimalist Sca...
Wood, Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 95.87 in D 14.77 in
60s Poul Cadovius Modular Teak 3-Bay Danish Royal System Wall Unit Shelving Desk
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was originally designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948. This useful three-bay teak shelving system offers a wide variety of storage and ...
Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 96.07 in D 13.39 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
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 in dark wood, consists 4 black metal standers,...
Metal
Modular Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, 1950s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has one bar cabinet and ten bookshelves. Always adaptable and further e...
Teak
Sold
H 68.9 in W 64.38 in D 15.75 in
1960s Poul Cadovius Modular Teak 2-Bay Danish Royal System Wall Unit Shelving
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was originally designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948. This useful two-bay teak shelving system offers a variety of storage and display...
Metal
Sold
H 11.62 in W 16.54 in D 7.09 in
Poul Cadovius Butterfly Shelf Metal Bookshelf Bedside Shelf Royal Systems 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Basel, BS
Poul Cadovius Butterfly Shelf, designed in 1958 and manufactured by Royal System in Denmark. Made of two-toned lacquered metal with two...
Metal
Sold
H 11.82 in W 16.93 in D 7.09 in
Poul Cadovius Butterfly Shelf Teak Plywood Bookshelf Royal Systems Denmark 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Basel, BS
Poul Cadovius Butterfly Shelf, designed in 1958 and manufactured by Royal System in Denmark. Made of delicate moulded teak plywood with...
Teak, Plywood
Poul Cadovius For Royal System Cado Danish Rosewood Four Bay Wall Unit
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Peabody, MA
Royal System “Cado” four bay wall unit in rosewood, designed by Poul Cadovius circa 1960s, Denmark. Purchased by prior owner in 1973. It features floor to ceiling wall panels, floor ...
Rosewood
Wall Unit with Brass Hooks by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has six bookshelves and this setup has the brass support hooks. Al...
Brass
Sold
H 77.96 in W 127.56 in D 16.15 in
Scandinavian Wall Unit in Teak by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, Denmark, 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This teak setup has five storage cabinets, one display cabinet, one reading shelf ...
Teak
Sold
H 68.9 in W 64.57 in D 16.15 in
Scandinavian modular wall unit in walnut by Poul Cadovius for Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal System. This setup has two storage cabinets, two display cabinets and four bookshelves. Al...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 53.15 in W 159.45 in D 11.82 in
1950s Poul Cadovius Teak Modular Danish Royal System Shelving Bar Midcentury
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948. This particular piece is quintessentially Mid-century Modern being the first generation identified by the demi-lune brass handles. Simply hung on brass pins and hangers from holes that run the full length of the six uprights, offering a wide variety of storage and display options. This particular modular arrangement comprises of a drop down bar with three drawers, a cabinet with glass sliding doors, three chests of drawers, each with four drawers, a twin-door cupboard with sliding doors with shelf and eight shelves. Complete with Danish Royal system...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 70.87 in W 126.38 in D 14.57 in
1950s Teak 4-Bay Modular Danish Royal System Shelving Poul Cadovius Bar 17 piece
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This highly versatile and functional “Royal System” was designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948. This particular set is first generation ‘Danish Royal’ characterized by the rarely seen ‘orange-slice’ brass handles. Simply hung on brass pins and hangers from a series of holes that run the full length of the five uprights, and offers a wide variety of storage and display options. Comprising four bays consisting of two drop-down cupboards, the first with a single shelf, the second a bar containing two bent ply drawers and wire bottle holder. A three-drawer chest of drawers, two sliding glass fronted cabinets, one twin-door cupboard with sliding doors and six shelves of various sizes. Supplied with a single key, which opens both drop-down boxes. There are some obvious areas of wear, which I’ve photographed, however as it has been very well looked after over the last 70 odd years the decision was made to retain its original finish and patina - it has simply been cleaned and polished, and in our opinion looks just as it ought to. Complete with Danish Royal system...
Brass