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Stow & Davis Desks

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
Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Lafayette, IN
Stunning 1950s "Executive" Series desk by Giacomo "Jack" Buzzita for Stow Davis' Executive collection. Desk features a 70" kidney-shaped top, walnut veneer and nickel-plated brass ha...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks

Materials

Walnut

Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis
Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis

Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis

Vintage Walnut Single Pedestal Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Pasadena, TX
This piece has three drawers, one of which is a filing drawer. A very distinctive desk with unique capped off point stainless steel legs.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Walnut Single Pedestal Desk by Stow Davis
Vintage Walnut Single Pedestal Desk by Stow Davis

Vintage Walnut Single Pedestal Desk by Stow Davis

Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, IL
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Desk This desk measures: 76 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 28 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks

Materials

Brass

Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Desk
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Desk

Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Desk

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Stow Davis Mid Century Boomerang Walnut Executive Desk

Stow Davis Mid Century Boomerang Walnut Executive Desk

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Mid Century Executive Walnut Desk by Stow Davis

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Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk

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By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, IL
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Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk

Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk

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Stow Davis Midcentury Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, IL
Stow Davis midcentury walnut and brass boomerang desk Desk measures: 76.5 wide x 48 deep x 29.5 inches high This price includes getting this piece in what we call restored vintag...
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Stow Davis Midcentury Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk
Stow Davis Midcentury Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk

Stow Davis Midcentury Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk

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Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Lafayette, IN
Stunning 1950s "Executive" Series desk by Stow Davis. Desk features a 70" kidney-shaped top, walnut veneer and solid bronze hardware. With its beautifully biomorphic shape, versatile...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks

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Bronze

Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis
Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis

Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Executive Series Kidney-Shaped Desk by Stow Davis

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1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by George Reinoehl for Stow Davis
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by George Reinoehl for Stow Davis
1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by George Reinoehl for Stow Davis

1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by George Reinoehl for Stow Davis

H 29 in W 76 in D 36 in
1950s Mid-Century Modern Sigma Series Boomerang Executive Desk by Stow Davis
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Located in Lafayette, IN
Stunning 1950s Sigma Series executive desk by Stow Davis. Desk features a massive 89" boomerang-shaped top, walnut veneer and brushed aluminum accen...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks

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1950s Mid-Century Modern Sigma Series Boomerang Executive Desk by Stow Davis
1950s Mid-Century Modern Sigma Series Boomerang Executive Desk by Stow Davis

1950s Mid-Century Modern Sigma Series Boomerang Executive Desk by Stow Davis

H 29 in W 89 in D 53 in

Stow & Davis desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Stow & Davis desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Stow & Davis desks, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Stow & Davis were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by John Stuart, Harvey Probber, and Leon Rosen. Prices for Stow & Davis desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,320 and can go as high as $19,495, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,900.

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Questions About Stow & Davis Desks
  • How old is the Davis Cabinet Company?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • What is Stuart Davis’s art style?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • Are Whiting & Davis bags made in China?
    1 Answer
    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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