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Poul Cadovius and Cado wall units: History and collecting guide

pam kueber - Updated: May 12, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

We learn about the two very collectible types:
‘Royal System’ and ‘System Cado’

vintage cado wall unitContinuing 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.

paul cadovius storage system

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 .

cado wall unitI 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!

cado shelf unitsI 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.cado shelf unitThe “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.”
From Roche-Bobois
  • 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.
  • abstracta tableBut 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!

Readers — I welcome your additional info and insights about Cados.

Reader Interactions

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226 comments

Comments

  1. Steve Philips says

    Nick:

    Yes this thread does address the products that the Company called Royal System manufactured. And the link you referenced does show the product called “Royal System”. (There is also another wall system produced by the same company called Cado…same designer)

    However, neither of these designs used screws. All connections worked by their design shapes and gravity. No mechanical connections. Now, the wire supports that show in the photo did come in brass as well as black but that was the only metal used. Other than the pins that the RS model shelves rested on…

    In my retail era of the 60’s and 70’s there was no other product line produced by Rs so your question regarding screws is a mystery.

    We did have customers who used the phrase Royal System generically to describe wall systems, but we never sold anything but the original so I can’t help….

    Steve

      • Steve Philips says

        Nick:

        Photos do help a bit.
        On the 090823 view, the notch on the shelf (that fits around the vertical?) is a RS detail. Also the 2nd black bracket/support (lying behind the first support) appears by the shape to be an RS support.

        On RS supports that odd bend in the wire is inserted into a hole set into the shelf and then hinges into the holes in the verticals.The shelf is then borne on pins (not screws) in the verticals.

        The big however is that there appears to be a hole thru the shelf. That is not a RS detail on either the Royal System models or the Cado. Assuming that the (missing) screws thread through the shelf and into the wire brackets

        So it appears you have two different systems here —- unless RS manufactured a third version that I know not of….?

        Steve

  2. Steve Philips says

    Nick:

    If this was built by Royal System it’s nothing we ever sold.
    Sorry but i can’t help.

    Yigal, where art thou?

    Steve

  3. Steve Philips says

    Hey Nick:

    Yigal, a far more qualified expert than I and who has posted on this site in the past, may well be able to comment but “screws” to hold (tge sic?) metal shelf supports…?

    A Big Mystery as to what system you’ve actually got there. A photo would be a big help…..

    Until then, the rest of your questions are also a mystery.

    Steve Philips

  4. Nicholas says

    Hi there, I have a RS but the screws to hold tge metal shelf supports are missing. Can anyone tell me the thread size I need to order? Also one of my cupboard locks is broken. Anyone know where I can get a replacement lock or leaf spring? Are there different keys or just one key/lock combination? Finally do we know the production dates for RS?

    Many thanks for your help
    Nick

  5. Alfredo catani says

    I have brand new in the original box,never installed or used,the TV shelf with brackets in teak. Should anyone have interest, I can be reached @ 772-285-0851

  6. Shane Byrd says

    Hi, Pam!
    I was hunting for a Cado unit and ended up finding and buying a different system entirely. After hours of research online I still can’t find out what I have… The double slot chrome standards go in front of the shelves, gravity holds the unit against the wall, the brackets have long, offset (for left or right) tabs that fit into slots on the bottom of the shelves, and the most identifiable feature is that there are vertical oblong holes in the end of every bracket that can be used to secure them to a couple of mounting blocks on the wall for safety. Other than the tabs and the holes they look similar to standard Knape & Vogt brackets.
    If you, or a reader, could tell me who made my unit it would make my day (and may make it easier to track down the one missing bracket)!

  7. Steve Philips says

    Pam:

    Can’t find the site address for your “where to sell stuff”?
    Help.

    Steve

  8. AJ says

    I HAVE 20′ OF EXCELLENT CONDITION ORIGINAL CADO ROSEWOOD SYSTEM IN MY PARENTS HOME IN FL.
    THE SYSTEM INCLUDED A BAR WITH A DROP DOWN LEAF LIT INSIDE, SEVERAL CABINETS, & BOOKSHELVES LIT UNDERNEATH.
    ALL HUNG VIA PEGS DIRECTLY ONTO ROSEWOOD WALL PANELING. I’M INTERESTED IN SELLING THIS SYSTEM & WANT TO FIND INTERESTED BUYERS. UNFORTUNATELY DON’T HAVE ROOM FOR IT IN MY CITY APT.

  9. Steve Philips says

    Dennis:

    When you read my bio in Flavors&More.com, it clearly states that I suffer from chronic laziness. Thus, getting up and wandering into the office to measure the R/S took several days.

    After considerable effort, the R/S dimensions are as follows:

    The standards (vertical rails) are 2 cm deep and 3.5 cm wide.
    The holes are 6 mm in diameter, run all the through the 3.5 dimension and are 4.5 cm on center. They are centered on the 2 mm side.

    (That would mean the holes are parallel to the wall surface, you comprehend? I’d attach a photo but have no way to do that…)

    As I said, accuracy is critical in all directions as the notches on the shelves/cabinets and the spacing of the wire brackets all depend on them…

    Good luck.
    Now back to the Patriots game…

    Steve

    • Steve Philips says

      Dennis:

      Easily confusing are the names “Cado” and “Royal System” but you have (if the photo is exactly what you have), a “Royal System” built by a company that was called Royal System, but no longer is in business.

      Regrettably you’ve been shorted a very important component. If you are very fortunate someone on this site may have extras….? Or a very good cabinet maker could fabricate new verticals for you but he/she’d have to be really GOOD as the holes that receive that wire brackets are exactly spaced front to back as well as vertically.

      If you’re lucky enough to find that rare person, I can supply you with the metric dimensions.

      Steve

      • dennis fesenmyer says

        if it’s “a “Royal System” built by a company that was called Royal System” does that mean it’s not a collectable item? or not worth anything? I didn’t pay a ton but enough that i’m now nervous that i might have been ripped off.

      • Kim says

        Steve-
        You seem to know a lot about these systems.
        I just purchased one from an older gentleman. Unfortunately while I was out in the garage looking at a danish dining set he also had for sale, his workmen took down the system and I never did find out how some of the supports worked.
        Do you have any information about how to put these together? I am very afraid of getting it wrong and having it come down.
        I think I have one of the older systems. He purchased it in London in the 1950’s. The holes on both the vertical strips and in the shelves have a brass lining. The two larger cabinets have clips on the back. I think these might attach to brass rods. (I am making deductions based on numbers of parts I have and matching them to cabinets.)
        BTW, mine are not made of particle board. But are solid teak. They are not marked Cado and do not have the danish control sticker. Perhaps they aren’t cado at all? I have seen some that are particle board and do not have brass inserts in the holes.
        More photos here. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/431571576765066606/