We learn about the two very collectible types:
‘Royal System’ and ‘System Cado’
Continuing my research into midcentury modern shelving systems, Cado “floating” wall systems are now also in my sites. Like the String System that recently profiled, Cados are Scandinavian-designed — and they are hot collectibles. Unlike Strings, you cannot get them new today, so you must be on the lookout. You know how I say that at estate sales, you need to look to the windows for potentially lovely window treatments? Well now, I add to that list: Look to the walls for potentially valuable shelving systems. Above: Christa’s Cado Wall System. Continue for more views of her Cado… for historical info about this wall system… and for shopping tips.
Christa’s Cado wall system:
Christa writes:
Hi Pam –
I don’t have the String system, but the similar, all wood version of the Cado system…interesting that such similar ideas all were designed at around the same time .
I ended up getting mine from CraigsList, but it did take months and months to find it.
The reason…well my wonderful mid century split level has some floors that are, well, wobbly if you walk to hard…especially the dining room. My vintage blonde china cabinet was great, except that every time somebody walked by it, it would sway and things would clank and clunk inside (it made me afraid for my grandmother’s china!)
So a teak Cado system, that attached to the wall ( they have floor standing ones as well) Solved the problem. Too bad the wobbly floor itself is not so easy to fix!This type of system is so flexible (actually have Elfa in my daughters room and our study) and can work just about anywhere you want to put it!
I took these a while ago, I have done some “tweaking” since I took these, especially with the Viking glass, ( LOVE Viking Epic…I have gotten slightly addicted) I got some more pieces, I move things around…it is a constant thing.
I have another wall-mount and one other cabinet for the Cado, but as you can see, two bays were all I had space for or need , but I have them safely tucked away in case I change my mind and want to put this somewhere else.The “down side” to this (the Cado)…actually getting it on the wall…if your measurements are not PERFECT, the dowels on the back of the cabinets will not go in the holes. I learned that my studs are not straight in the walls…as if I got the upright in a stud at the top, it would not go in a stud at the bottom. It took about 4 hours, 3 people,( myself, DH, and a very patient and tall friend ) several bruises each and much cursing to get it up. I would assume that when the system was new there was some sort of template, so you could easily get things lined up, but those are long gone I fear.
Thank you, Christa, for sharing these photos and advice. Your home is drop dead gorgeous!!
About the Cado wall system
I went searching all over the internet trying to piece together a timeline history of the Cado system. The timeline is incomplete, I note* where I am missing info or am confused.
- According to the 20th Century forum, the official name of this design is the Royal System. Although then I read there was also a design called System Cado. Confused*. In any case, these were designed by the Dutch architect Poul Cadovius, and manufactured by Cado, Cadovius’ eponymous company.
- I found a Wikipedia entry for Poul Cadovius. It appears to be in Danish, and the translate pop up is not popping. However, I think I can read that Cadovius died just last year, 2011. He lived to age 99! I also am going to guess that the Cado wall unit was spotlighted (introduced???) at the Milan Trienniele in 1957? Can anyone translate for me?
- I scanned the Wiki on Danish Modern Design — and he does not seem to be mentioned. It is interesting — the Cado wall units seem to be very popular — very well known — but there is very little information I can find overall on Poul Cadovius, Cado manufacturing, and the history of these units.
- At Made-Good — a site about Danish design — they describe the impetus of the Royal System: “Poul Cadovius, was in the fifties looking for a furnishing system which would give a maximum of comfort, underline the personal atmosphere of the interior, was easy to assembly, offer a lot of combination possibilities and made the living space larger.” They add that, “In the late 60s [1964, another post indicates] he (Cadovius) (als0) bought the famous manufacturer France and Sons and produced many more furniture under the label of Cado.” Cadovius/Cado went on to produce a variety of other furniture designs.
- This Design Addict forum (now offline) says the first Cado was a freestanding system — they have a photo — and that it was designed in 1955. Its classifieds section also indicated that the Cado system was available in a number of woodgrains — teak, walnut, mahogany, rosewood… — as well as white. You can also see the variety of components.
- The Good Mod adds that, “These systems could be ordered from catalogs and furniture stores in the 1960?s – 70?s. There were many different types of cabinets, shelves, lights, standards or uprights and styles. Whether you needed a desk, a table, a stereo cabinet, china cabinets or a chest of drawers, you could customize the system to fit your needs.”
- Looks like Roche Bobois started distributing the Cado system in 1962. [I’m confused about when Cado manufacturing came into the picture.] Note, they say it marks the end of conformity in shelving sizes, “The break in conventional sizes has just begun.”
- On this forum I read that there are two designs of the Cado system — one with metal fixings, one with wood. Here is an edited excerpt: [One design] has the metal fixings and supports which hang in the sides of the wall battens. Here is a clear example. [The other design] has wooden supports with angled wooden dowels in the back which fix into angled holes in the front of the wall battens. (Christa has this all-wood system; here is another clear example. The joinery involved means these systems are often considered more desireable. This also means it’s a nightmare to put up as there is zero tolerance. The [system with metal fixings] is much more forgiving and is easier to find. *Still confusion over which was called Royal System vs. System Cado. Confused*.
- I cannot find any information on when sales of the Royal System ended.
- Interesting article — more info about Poul Cadovius’ career here. A photo too. Scroll to “The Story Behind Circulhuset” about half way through the PDF. In short, she says Cadovius was a well-known and prolific designer, with 400 patents. She also says that Cadovius had gone bankrupt by 1981.
- But golly gee, looky here, the Cadovius’ Abstracta modular shelving, designed in the 1960s, still is for sale — looks like it’s manufactured in K-zoo! That’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Elvis still lives, btw. The Abstracta appears to be mostly targeted at the retail display market, but there are a few pieces designed for home: The cube table! Of course, we all recognize the cube table!
And… how’s this for some loveliness — a video that shows the original turntable and speakers:
Cado wall systems buying guide:
My tips:
- Cado systems seem to be well known among dealers and collectors. They are very recognizable to the infomed — which now includes you. However, that means, that if a dealer or collector gets one in-hand, he or she will price it accordingly — likely starting at $1,000 or more, depending on the pieces available and the condition.
- If you are looking for a bargain, I’d say try estate sales and vintage stores, especially those in smaller cities or towns where they be fewer buyers tuned into the mid mod. Look to the walls! Keep your eyes peeled! I tend to think that Cados were pretty popular back in the day — they are out there to be discovered.
- You can also watch craigslist. Search Cado, teak, danish modern, midcentury, shelves, wall unit… etc. Mix up your terms. For example, I spotted this unit for sale in the New York City area, and the seller gave me permission to feature the photo here:
Cado wall system with desk, $1250 (link now gone): Beautiful and practical Danish modern teak wall system designed by Poul Cadovius. This system as shown in the photos is particularly rare as it comes with a separate drop-leaf desk. The condition overall is in good condition with a few scapes and bumps that comes with age. [Thanks to the seller for giving me permission to feature this photo.}
- You can also find Cado wall units on ebay and etsy — but you will likely not be able to see what you are buying in person, of course.
So there you have it: Cado wall systems. Paol Cadovius, well done!
Dr D.J Bainton says
I have 4 units plus 6 shelves of various widths of the CADO system (wooden support brackets + dowels) in Teak, plus the original catalogue. These were purchased from Osterman Peterson (Copenhagen) in the 1970’s when I worked in Geneva. I have since moved house 8 times in the UK and each time the flexibility of the system has proved to be an asset.
Jacob Nielsen says
My grand parents (DK) got Royal System for there living room in 1965. My grand mom (87 years) still have it in here home. Some in the living room and some in the office. I took a photo when we were there for christmas. See it on FaceBook here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=525610300792131&set=a.371648592854970.91325.162551163764715&type=1&theater
Sorry for the long link ;-/
Steve Philips says
Alfredo:
Great back story on the Cado and Royal System history, and an exciting, special trip for you.
Would have thought that Cadovious would have gone from the more complex Cado (manufacturing tolerances, etc..) to the simpler Royal..
Was Cado also produced in teak and walnut? Also was it tougher to install than RS and where was your showroom?
SVP
Alfredo catani says
I started a Scandinavian showroom in 1973 and participated in a national royal system/cado contest. I was fortunate enough to win an all expense paid trip to Denmark..We were hosted by Mr. Cadovious and flown to his factory in a town called Randers.It was a spectacular trip and an experience that I will never forget! Poul first designed and mfg. the royal system which used the metal wire hangers to support the shelves. He then decided toi improve on the royal system and started mfg. of the Cado system which used wood brackets with dowels that supported the shelves from the bottom side . Although the systems are similar,the parts are not intrchangeable.I happen to have the deep tv shelf and 3 8 inch shelves that are brand new and still in the original cartons if anyone has interest! I sold and installed mostly cado should anyone have questions.
Jacob Nielsen says
Alfredo:
Great info !
Do you have some old photo from the visit to the factory in Randers, DK – Love to see some photo of the production.
Where did you have you showroom ?
Thansk !
Jacob Nielsen says
Lot of great info on this blog ;D
Royal System by Paul Cadovius is now made by http://www.dk3.dk
The system Abstracta (1962) – can stand in the middle of a room !
Have a look at this site (in danish) :
http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/Kunst_og_kultur/Arkitektur/Arkitekt/Poul_Cadovius
and
http://www.denstoredanske.dk/index.php?title=Kunst_og_kultur/Kunsthåndværk_og_design/Kunsthåndværk_i_Danmark_efter_1850/Poul_Cadovius
I live in France (but are danish) and selling danish design…
Steve Philips says
Dear Yetti:
Doesn’t look like any Royal System that we ever sold.
Does anyone else think it’s a Royal something?
Steven
Christy B. says
Could it be a Khoury?
Yetti Treasures says
I’m not sure if anyone saw my response above, but I was wondering if anyone could identify my wall unit. It is Yugoslavian made, and from the early 70’s, from what I was told. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=314003102038700&set=a.314001432038867.60769.272411022864575&type=1&theater
Any help is appreciated.
Steve Philips says
Pam:
Get Chris to take photos of the vertical supports (standards) to see the “holes”, the shelf brackets to see their forms and the back corner of the cabinets to get a look at the supports.
One of us here will be able to ID the system from those details.
Steve
Chris Ostarello says
Pam,
Good morning. I just purchased a condo and I think I might have had one of Paul Cadovius wall units in my second bedroom. We removed it from the wall and are currently storing it in our guest closet. How can I know for sure that it is one of his? And if it is one of his, do you have any recommendations on how to sell it?
Thanks,
Chris
Peggy Argento says
We purchased our Cado system from Royal – product of Denmark via a decorator in Bayside NY in 1969. The unit which consists of three shelves, a drop leaf bar unit, sliding glass display unit and sliding wood door unit all were mounted on wood poles with adjustable metal “feet”. which were able to accommodate for different height ceiling. When we moved in 1986, I wrote to the company and was able to purchase the wall rails since I was installing the unit in a low ceiling basement family room and the poles were too long. I still have the unit with both mounting systems It has the wooden dowel system which hung on either the tension poles or the wall rails. I don’t have the metal attachments. the shelve supports are wood and look like boomerangs. The system is in amazing condition since we have alway felt it was very well constructed unlike most of the us furniture we have bought over the years. We are now in our fourth home and I am going to have the unit mounted on a new familyroom walls. Wish us luck… My husband recalls how difficult it was to line up the rails so the dowels sit properly. It is nice to know that they system has appreciated, By the Way, we live on Long Island NY.