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.
$1,600 / set
"England Chair" by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern office chairs by Stow Davis. Featuring polished chrome frame with swooping arms. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Chrome
Pipo Chair by Piegatto, a Sculptural Contemporary Chair
Located in Guatemala, GU
Other Specifications: -Seating Height: 15.6" -Armrest Height: 25.1" -Chair made of 37 Laminated Plywood Birch sections from Nordic Forests. -Weight Capacity: 350 pounds. -Usage:...
Plywood
JMF Chair by Forsyth
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
The JMF Chair is inspired by and in homage to the lean, modern lines and silhouettes created by design icon Jean-Michel Frank. 1 and a quarter inch solid oak...
Oak
Pair of Midcentury Solid Walnut Lounge Chairs by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis, Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair midcentury solid walnut lounge chairs by Stow Davis, handsome architectural profile in the style of Jens Risom. Superior quality and construction, retains original orange wool f...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,480 / set
H 31 in W 27 in D 24 in
A Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bubble Chairs by Stow & Davis. Circa 1970s
By Stow Davis
Located in Miami, FL
A Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bubble Chairs by Stow & Davis. Circa 1970s Feature a sleek chromed swivel base, the original cobalt blue upholstery, and removable seat cushions...
Chrome
Gothic Chippendale Mahogany Armchair, England, circa 1770
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Fine English George III period, circa 1770 carved mahogany armchair in Thomas Chippendale 'Gothick' manner having a serpentine crest-rail carved with acanthus 'ears' and centre folia...
Leather, Mahogany
$2,200 / set
H 29 in W 24 in D 20 in
Stunning Pair Modernist Walnut Arm Chairs by Stow Davis /after Jens Risom
By Stow Davis, Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning pair modernist sculptural walnut arm chairs by Stow Davis /after Jens Risom. Classic Mid-Century Modern Design, beautiful dove-tail joinery, ...
Upholstery, Walnut
William IV Mahogany Barber's or Dentist's Chair, England, circa 1830
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mahogany barber's or dentist's chair with single back splat and two smaller side splats with heart shape cut-outs and hand woven cane seat. The sturdy scrolling arms curving around, ...
Mahogany, Cane
Pasqualina Chair by Grassi&Bianchi
By Enrico Pellizzoni
Located in Milan, IT
This armchair's Minimalist look is emphasized by its slate-colored leather covering. The style also features a tubular steel frame and a metal seat pan covered in black technical fab...
Steel
Pair of Stow Davis Cube Chairs
By Stow Davis
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic Stow Davis cube armchairs. Very comfortable and stylish, original upholstery, on plinth bases.
Upholstery
Pair of Midcentury Solid Walnut Lounge Chairs by Stow Davis
By Jens Risom, Stow Davis
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair midcentury solid walnut lounge chairs by Stow Davis, handsome architectural profile in the style of Jens Risom. Superior quality and construction, retains original orange wool f...
Fabric, Walnut
$4,850 / set
H 34 in W 23 in D 23 in
Pair Walnut and Shagreen Leather Armchairs by George Reinoehl for Stow & Davis
By George Reinoehl, Stow Davis
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome and solid pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut armchairs designed by George Reinoehl for Stow Davis, Grand Rapids, MI. The clean lines and minimalist design invoking the beau...
Brass
Stow Davis Midcentury Walnut and Brass Lounge Chair
By Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Stow Davis midcentury Walnut and Brass Lounge Chair. Each chair measures: 22 wide x 24 deep x 34.25 inches high, with a seat height of 17...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 27 in D 25 in
Pair of Giacomo Buzzitta Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Basel, BS
Sold as a pair--Rare and incredibly stunning 1960's Executive lounge chairs designed by Giacomo "Jack" Buzzitta and manufactured by Stow Davis in the late 1960s. Chairs feature a gor...
Walnut
Sold
H 25.5 in W 27 in D 16.5 in
Vintage 80s Contemporary Stow Davis Distressed Leather Tub Chairs, a Pair
By Stow Davis
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fabulous pair of vintage 80s distressed leather tub chairs. Made by the iconic Stow Davis group. Polished chrome tubular frame with tufted leather seats. Signed on the bottom. Acquir...
Chrome
Pair of Stow Davis White Leather Armchairs
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Astoria, NY
A substantial pair of game and armchairs, produced circa 1940s by the Stow-Davis Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, following the style of designer Osvaldo Borsani, with tu...
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Stow Davis Black Leather and Walnut Sculptural Armchairs
By Stow Davis
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Stow Davis Italian Regency carved walnut and black leather arm chairs. Curvaceous back and saber legs with recessed panels, block corners and sculpted arms. Black leather seat and back with back panel. From the period when Bert England was designing for Stow Davis, so possibly an England...
Leather, Walnut
Stow & Davis Walnut Chair
By Stow Davis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century walnut frame side chair by Stow & Davis. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Walnut
Pair of Blue Velvet Covered Side Chairs
By Stow Davis
Located in Houston, TX
Made by Stow Davis - New Velvet
Stow Davis Executive Leather Desk Chair
By Stow Davis
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A executive desk chair with soft and high quality leather in a warm natural medium color sitting on a chrome swiveling adjustable rolling base. Retains the Manufactures label ,Stow D...
Chrome
Set of Four Mid Century Dining Chairs by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Astoria, NY
A set of four dining chairs by Stow Davis with chrome frames and original upholstery. They are in vintage condition with age appropriate wear; spots and wear on upholstery
Chrome