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.
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Aluminum Trash Can
By Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Aluminum Trash Can This trash receptacle measures: 9 wide x 16 deep x 12 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...
Aluminum
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 10.25 in D 11 in
Industrial Steel Clad Hardwood Elliptical Wastepaper Basket/ Trash Can
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Industrial Steel Clad Hardwood Elliptical Wastepaper Basket/ Trash Can Intricately crafted with elongated silver-leaf clad rim, standing 15.5 -Inches high, with a lower point of 9" ...
Steel, Silver Leaf
Raveneare Mid Century Hairpin Waste Basket Trash Can
By Richard Galef, Ravenware
Located in San Diego, CA
Richard Galef for Ravenware Mid Century waste basket. Brass colored frame with removable metal basket. 1950s USA
Metal
Pair of Mid Century Plywood Trash Can
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this Pair of mid century Plywood trash can. Recently restored.
Plywood
$280
H 3.75 in W 4.75 in D 4.63 in
Dice Aluminum Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A german vintage aluminum paperweight or sculpture featuring a dice balanced on one corner. Art Deco style, inspired by the 1930s designs of Edgar Brandt. A minimalist dice sculpture...
Metal, Brass, Copper
French Tole Split Wire Early 20th Century Trash Can with Liner
Located in Hudson, NY
This very rare survivor or the early years of the 20th century was purchased in France at the Paris Flea market and remains in very good condition for being approximate 100 years old...
Steel
Perpetual calendar in wood and aluminum, 1970s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Perpetual calendar made of wood and aluminum, Made in Italy, 1970s. Rare perpetual calendar made in the 1970s from solid wood and aluminum with silver-colored numbers for the days, m...
Aluminum
$675
H 13.5 in Dm 12.13 in
1960s Jens Risom MCM Tapered Walnut Wastebasket / Trash Can with Aluminum Lining
By Jens Risom
Located in St. Louis, MO
This iconic mid-century modern wastebasket was originally designed by master modernist Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design. The piece is celebrated for transforming a practical necessit...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Teak Paper Bin, circa 1960s
By Stow Davis
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis teak paper bin, circa 1960s Vintage waste basket bin by Stow and Davis. The bin is made from teak. Good vintage...
Teak
Mid Century Teak / Aluminum Waste Basket in the style of Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A walnut veneered midcentury waste basket having a tapering form with a removable aluminum insert in the manner of Jens Risom. Perfect for your home office in that it's a smaller siz...
Aluminum
Vintage Coca Cola Trash Can Mid-Century
By Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, vintage Coca Cola trash can mid-century. White paint with chrome plated steel. Interior galvanized can. Original unrestored. Dimensions: 29" H x 14" Diameter...
Metal
Swedish Mid-century Mallet Tool or Pencil Holder in Walnut, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A well-made mallet shaped tool or pencil holder fashioned from solid walnut. Different sized hole for different tools/needles/pens etc. It was made in Sweden circa 1940-60 og excess ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slat Magazine Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut slat magazine holder, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 16.5" W x 7.75" D x 12.5" H. #3027.
Walnut