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.
Florence Knoll Style Credenza with Matching File Cabinet by by Giacomo Buzzitta
By Stow Davis
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful credenza with matching file cabinet designed by Giacomo Buzzittan for Stow Davis. The matching set is constructed of Carrara marble, black lacquer with chromed steel legs a...
Marble, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Diminutive credenza from the early 1950s. Walnut top is new veneer replacing worn Formica. Leather pulls a signature Florence Knoll design mark. Two sliding doors open to reveal two ...
Steel
1950s Mid Century Walnut Credenza by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut credenza designed by Florence Knoll and manufactured by Knoll Associates Inc. circa 1950s. This exceptional piece showcases a gorgeous walnut frame supported by fo...
Chrome
$4,700
H 33 in W 53 in D 22 in
Borge Mogensen Cabinet Credenza with Sliding Doors Scandinavian Modern Oak Teak
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Chicago, IL
Borge Mogensen chest of drawers. Oak and Teak. Measures: 33"H x 53"W x 22"D Two sliding doors The interior on one side has three removable treys, the other side contains two shel...
Steel
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid century Florence Knoll Black & White Cabinet Credenza leather pulls
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Florence knoll Black & White Credenza. Beautiful practical credenza for living or office space. Has (4) White laminate front Sliding doors with leather pulls that rev...
Chrome
$4,850 / set
H 70.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
True Mid-Century Classic Inlaid Rosewood Walnut Credenza Cabinet by Stanley USA
By Stanley Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a superb Mid-Century Modern credenza or sideboard by Stanley. It is mostly walnut with geometric rosewood inlays on the fronts and has turned aluminum pulls. The lower cabine...
Aluminum, Iron
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood, features Notch pulls with chrome details, Four file drawers and Four pencil drawers, chrome plated adjustable feet, with lock. [Kno...
Chrome
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 36 in D 18 in
Mid century Black Lacquer Florence Knoll office Cabinet Credenza leather pulls
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Knoll all black small credenza - Beautiful practical credenza for living or office space. Has (2) front Sliding doors with leather pulls that reveal two adjustable shelves, one on ea...
Leather, Oak, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Credenza File Cabinet
Located in Baltimore, MD
Remarkably Mid-Century, black Formica top file office credenza by Kimball Office Furniture. A beautiful example of Mid-Century craftsmanship. Expertly crafted with a fully finished b...
Formica, Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Credenza / Sideboard by Florence Knoll
Located in Oakville, CT
1950's Florence Knoll Walnut Credenza / Cabinet with Laminate Top Overall Dimensions: 18 3/4" deep x 48" wide x 27" high Top Dimensions: 17 3/4" deep x 48" wide Lower Sections: 15...
Steel
Gilbert Rohde Streamline Art Deco Cabinet Credenza Server
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern compact art deco two door credenza server cabinet by Gilbert Rhode. Burl wood front doors mahogany case.
Mahogany, Burl
Florence Knoll Designed Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern office sideboard by Florence Knoll. Walnut grain throughout with strong metal legs. Pull out tray and file cabinet. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Metal
Knoll Style Mid Century Walnut and Marble Top File Credenza
By Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Knoll Style Mid Century Walnut and Marble Top File Credenza This credenza measures: 55 wide x 22.75 deep x 28 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...
Marble
Sold
H 26 in W 76.5 in D 20 in
Beautiful Midcentury Abstract Marble Top Credenza Black Lacquer by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis, Florence Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful and sophisticated Stow Davis low credenza in black lacquer. Featuring two deep lower file cabinet drawers, two top shallow drawers and two cabinet doors with adjustable she...
Marble, Chrome
Stow and Davis Ebonized Walnut and Copper Credenza
By Stow Davis
Located in Miami, FL
A Mid-Century Modern black bar cabinet, featuring tambour doors, raised on slender, tall legs with copper caps, manufactured by Stow & Davis in the 1...
Copper
Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Credenza by Stow & Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Sleek midcentury credenza / cabinet by Stow and Davis accentuated by chrome accents. Originally from an executive office with Knoll and Stow & Davis furnishings. A very solid case pi...
Chrome
Sold
H 28 in W 84 in D 19.5 in
Unusual Modern Bookmatched Walnut Credenza, Leather Pulls by Stow and Davis
By Stow Davis, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful walnut credenza or sideboard file manufactured by Stow and Davis in the manner or Florence Knoll handsome bookmatched rich grained walnut with stunning finished back featur...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cabinet, Stow Davis Classic
By Stow Davis
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid Century Modern long ,low cabinet,Solid walnut constructioin,Beautiful figured walnut top.Finished back,Sleek modernist aluminum leg, chromed steel pulls detail,Left side ...
Aluminum, Steel