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Stow & Davis Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

American

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.

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Creator: Stow & Davis
Stow Davis Mid-Century Modern Leather Executive Swivel Desk Chair, Circa 1960s
By Stow Davis
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful and very comfortable Mid-Century Modern executive leather swivel desk chair By Stow Davis USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Bert England for Stow Davis Swivel Desk Chairs c 1970's pair available
By Bert England, Stow Davis
Located in New York, NY
High end swivel desk chairs designed by Bert England for Stow Davis, circa 1970's. The chairs feature heavy bright steel frames, bases and legs, with original fabric upholstered back...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Stow & Davis Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

1960s Stow Davis Office Desk Chairs in Tan Leather w/ Bronze Bases 3x Available
By Stow Davis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are large Desk Chairs in Tan leather with Bronze Four-Star Bases, produced by Stow-Davis Furniture of Grand Rapids, MI. in the 1960s. The listed price includes one chair, and w...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel, Bronze

Stow Davis Mid Century Leather Executive Swivel Desk Chair
By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, IL
Stow Davis Mid Century Leather Executive Swivel Desk Chair This executive chair measures: 25.25 wide x 25.75 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearanc...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

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Stow & Davis office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Stow & Davis office chairs and desk chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs.
Questions About Stow & Davis Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Stuart Davis's art style is largely Cubist. He used the hard-edge painting technique to create dramatic differences in color. Many of his works draw inspiration from jazz and swing music, and historians credit him with influencing the Pop artists that emerged later in the 20th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Stuart Davis art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    The Davis Cabinet Company is more than 90 years old. The company, founded by Lipscomb "Lip" Davis in 1929, grew out of a lumber mill operation located on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. Owners of the mill opened the Standard Furniture Company to put leftover lumber to use. Davis worked for Standard Furniture for eight years before he bought out the company and reopened it as the Davis Cabinet Company. Find a diverse assortment of Davis Cabinet Company furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    Whether Whiting & Davis bags are made in China varies. The company was founded in Plainville, Massachusetts, in 1876 and has been based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, since 1995. Its collectible vintage handbags were largely produced at its own workshop in Massachusetts. However, Whiting & Davis has outsourced some of its newer bags to factories in China. On 1stDibs, find a range of Whiting & Davis apparel and accessories.

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