Cado modular shelving by Poul Cadovius, teak veneer, Denmark, 1960s
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Description
Cado modular shelving designed by Poul Cadovius, a Danish wall-mounted system from the 1960s. The construction relies on vertical rails that allow shelves and cabinets to be hung at any height, creating a layout tailored to the user's needs. Teak veneer covers all elements, lending the piece the warm, unified character typical of Scandinavian design from that era.
The presented configuration combines open shelves with closed drawer modules. Solid wood rails form the backbone of the system, supporting ten shelves and two cabinets. Every element can be repositioned or supplemented with additional modules, making the unit a flexible solution ready to evolve alongside changing requirements. Drawer pulls set flush with the fronts reinforce the minimalist spirit of the design.
In 1948 Poul Cadovius pioneered an entirely new furniture category with his Royal System — storage that hangs on the wall rather than standing on the floor. The Cado system carried this idea forward, answering the shrinking floor space of post-war apartments and becoming one of the recognisable exports of Danish design. Lifting furniture off the ground was not merely practical; it altered the proportions of a room, adding lightness and breathing space.
The shelving works equally well in a living room, a study or an office environment. Shelves with a depth of twenty centimetres accommodate books and albums, while the drawer cabinets conceal documents and smaller items. A width of nearly two hundred and fifty centimetres allows an entire wall to be organised without sacrificing the visual lightness of the structure.
The unit has been preserved in good condition. Minor scratches and small chips from regular use are visible, and slight losses have been filled. The more noticeable traces of use are also documented in the photographs, so that the actual state of preservation is conveyed as faithfully as possible.
Technical data
| height: | 200 cm |
| width: | 247 cm |
| depth: | 30.5 cm |