Stow & Davis Desk Sets
There was something for everyone in Stow & Davis's offerings during its heyday. Known for its period revival designs — as well as its wood-and-steel framework desks and other Streamline Moderne-inspired works of the late 1920s and '30s — the American manufacturer created sleek and innovative modern office furniture during the mid-century years, too.
Before the company was Stow & Davis, it was the Stow and Haight Furniture Company, formed by the partnership of Russell Stow and Thomas Haight in 1880. It produced kitchen and dining extension tables in a workshop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1885, businessman George A. Davis purchased Haight’s interest in the firm, and its name was changed to Stow & Davis.
The company later turned its attention to manufacturing office furniture, producing its first boardroom table in 1889. By the 1890s, Stow & Davis had established itself as a major supplier of furniture for libraries and offices. By 1916, it was supplying banks with furniture such as its sturdy wood Colonial Revival-style conference tables, leather-upholstered executive and swivel chairs and traditional desks in oak and mahogany.
The Great Depression forced the reorganization of Stow & Davis, and, during World War II, the company was commissioned to manufacture wooden desks, chairs and bunk beds for United States Navy vessels.
During the 1950s and ’60s, amid the rise of what we now call mid-century modernism, Stow & Davis endeavored to innovate, collaborating with several notable designers to produce inspired new collections.
While it continued to offer traditional furniture styles influenced by English design, Stow & Davis began to incorporate curved lines, rounded edges and sleek finishes into its offerings during the postwar years. Its mid-century modern furniture included pieces like Bert England’s stainless steel frame office chairs, walnut and bronzed steel conference tables by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani and sophisticated credenzas by Giacomo Buzzitta, an award-winning alum of the John Widdicomb Company.
In 1985, the Grand Rapids manufacturer Steelcase acquired Stow & Davis.
Find vintage Stow & Davis seating, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and more on 1stDibs.
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Aluminum
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Teak
Late 20th Century Industrial Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Steel, Silver Leaf
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Cane
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Rosewood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Wood
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Plywood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Metal, Brass, Copper
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Bamboo, Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Asian Stow & Davis Desk Sets
Bamboo, Wicker
Stow & Davis desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.
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