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.
Mid-Century Walnut and Burl Wood Executive Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning mid-century modern executive desk, expertly crafted by Stow Davis in the 1960s in the United States. This piece showcases a beautiful burl wood top, elegantly wrapped in r...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow & Davis Starburst Walnut and Steel Oval Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow & Davis Mid Century Starburst Walnut and Steel Oval Dining Table This dining table measures: 78.5 wide x 48.5 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a chair clearanc...
Steel
Vintage 70s Osvaldo Borsan Oval Dining Table Walnut Starburst Top & Chrome Base
By Stow Davis, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Often attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, this authentic 1970s Stow & Davis oval dining table has been confirmed as an original design. A striking example of mid-century modern furnit...
Steel, Chrome
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis Mid Century Dining Table
By Stow Davis, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis Mid Century Dining Table This dining table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.25 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches Fair Vintage Condi...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Stow Davis Walnut and Chrome 24"H Side Coffee End Table MINT!
By Poul Kjærholm, Stow Davis
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Stow Davis Walnut and Chrome 24"H Side Coffee End Table MINT!
Chrome
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis Dining Table w/ Walnut Top and Chromed Steel Base
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Osvaldo Borsani dining table with walnut top, produced by Stow Davis circa 1970s. This is a gorgeous example, which appears to retain its original wood finish. ...
Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow & Davis Starburst Walnut and Steel Oval Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow & Davis Mid Century Starburst Walnut and Steel Oval Dining Table This dining table measures: 78.5 wide x 48.5 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clearanc...
Steel
1970s Stow Davis Dining Table in Walnut and Chromed Steel 48x29"
By Stow Davis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Dining Table produced by Stow Davis. This particular example was produced in the United States and dates to the 1970s. The table is comprised of a chromed steel base with a...
Steel
1970s Osvaldo Borsani Dining Table for Stow Davis with Glass Top and Steel Base
By Stow Davis, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Osvaldo Borsani dining table with glass top, produced by Stow Davis circa 1970s. This is a gorgeous example, which appears to have a hand cut and ground glass t...
Walnut, Glass
Osvaldo Borsani round table in rosewood for Tecno, mod. T41, Italy 1958
By Ignazio Gardella, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Argelato, BO
Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno T41 round rosewood table, dining or coffee table, Italy, 1958 It is one of the most elegant and refined tables of 1950s Italian desig...
Metal
Florence Knoll Style Stow Davis Knife Edge Dining Table w/Bronze Base, 1960
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Style Stow Davis Walnut Custom Knife Edge Dining/Conference Table w/Bronze Base, 1960 Measures Walnut top measures 8’ diameter 1” thick, Base 27.5” tall 61” long. Tota...
Bronze
Marble Topped Osvaldo Borsani Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Table, Italian, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Carrara marble top with stylized steel base.
Carrara Marble, Steel
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Wood
Mid-Century Rosewood Floating Top Executive Desk by Fristho
By Kho Liang Ie, Fristho
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Executive desk by Fristho features a commanding floating rosewood top suspended 2.5 inches above dual cabinet bases. White lacquered supports create dramatic visual separation betwee...
Leather, Rosewood, Lacquer
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table This side table measures: 23.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 20.25 inches high Restored - Mint Condit...
Walnut
Mid-Century Executive Desk, Walnut & Yellow Laminate, Wicker Back
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modern style executive desk with yellow formica top, metal handles and cane back. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Walnut, Laminate
$450
H 23 in W 22 in D 32 in
Lane Altavista Mid Century Modern Walnut 2 Tier Step Up End Table Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lane Altavista Mid Century Modern Walnut 2 Tier Step Up End Table / Side Table. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H x 22" W x 32" D.
Walnut
$4,995
H 29.13 in W 66 in D 30.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern executive desk By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous walnut, with carved rosewood recessed drawer pulls. Measures: 66...
Rosewood, Walnut
$15,061
H 30.71 in Dm 46.46 in
Osvaldo Borsani Sculptural Round Dining Table in Walnut, Varedo, Italy, 1945
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare dining table was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1945 and produced by his company Arredamenti Borsani in Varedo, Italy. The piece is accompanied by a certificate of aut...
Wood, Walnut
$1,495
H 28.5 in W 70 in D 45 in
1980's, Belgo Chrome Made, Oval Glass Top Dining Table with Bronzed Metal Base
By Belgo Chrome
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 1980's, Belgo Chrome made, oval glass dining table with bronzed metal base and gold-plated brass details. The newly fitted glass top has a r...
Metal
1970s Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk Styled After Knoll
By Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk This refined mid-century executive desk is an elegant piece inspired by classic Knoll designs from the 1970s. Expertly crafted with a ri...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.5 in W 78 in D 48 in
Oval Dining Conference designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis c 1970's
By Stow Davis, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, sophisticated, and chic conference dining table designed by Osvaldo Borsani, for Stow Davis. The table has a large oval top with a radiating starburst pattern, of matching ...
Chrome, Iron
Sold
H 29 in W 120 in D 48 in
Rare 10ft Walnut Mid-Century Modern Conference Dining Table by Giacomo Buzzitta
By Stow Davis
Located in Lafayette, IN
As seen on the Apple TV limited series "Lessons in Chemistry" This actual table was featured in several pivotal scenes in the conference room at Hastings Lab...
Brass
Sold
H 28.25 in W 78 in D 47 in
Starburst Oval Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis, 1970s, Signed
By Stow Davis, Osvaldo Borsani, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful dining table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis, circa 1970, features a beautiful oval top in starburst walnut over a heavy contrasting polished and black enameled stee...
Steel
Sold
H 29.5 in W 120 in D 48 in
10' Conference or Dining Table by Giacomo Buzzitta for Stow & Davis Walnut Brass
By Stow Davis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This vintage and classic Stow Davis table is very large (10' long) and very cool! Designed by Giacomo Buzzitta in the 1950s, the design has held up ex...
Metal
Sold
H 28.25 in W 78 in D 48 in
Florence Knoll Style Stow Davis Oval Dining Conference Table Desk Walnut Bronze
By Stow Davis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This gorgeous midcentury table is incredibly practical. Because of its dimensions and purposeful design, it can serve as a dining table, a conference table, or as a majestic desk. The oval top, which is 1, 1/4 inch thick, has many alluring design elements, including a starburst pattern to the inlaid walnut top. The edge treatment includes an solid walnut bullnose tip crowning a knife-edge profile, as seen in the iconic designs by Florence Knoll. The base consists of a thick column supported by four splayed legs having levelling pods at the end of each. The base is constructed of steel and has a bronzed finish. Both the brass and paper manufacturer labels are intact on the underside of the top. There is a warm patina to the original finish on the walnut top. There are a few hard-to-see blemishes. And there is minor oxidation to the base. The table is quite heavy, but the design of the splayed legs more than adequately supports the expansive surface. So, no wobbling. You will love the original condition of this vintage and classic...
Bronze, Steel
Sold
H 28.5 in W 59 in D 29.75 in
1960s Postmodern George Reinoehl Stow & Davis Teak "Predictor" Executive Desk
By Stow Davis, George Reinoehl
Located in Madison, WI
Very rare and incredibly stunning large surface 1960's executive desk for the Stow Davis "Predictor" Line by George Reinoehl. This two-sided large teak and executive desk has a stunn...
Chrome
Chrome Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow & Davis
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1970s Chrome and glass dining table designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow & Davis. CONDITION NOTES: In very good vintage condition. Fine surface scratches to the smoked glass top...
Chrome
Sold
H 29 in W 120 in D 48 in
Huge 10ft Walnut Mid-Century Modern Conference Dining Table by Giacomo Buzzitta
By Stow Davis
Located in Lafayette, IN
Massive model 26120-T conference table by designer Giacomo "Jack" Buzzitta for Stow Davis. Table features solid walnut construction, gorgeous tapered/angled legs, and distinctive, di...
Brass
Sold
H 28.25 in W 78.5 in D 48.5 in
Starburst Oval Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis, 1970s, Refinished
By Stow Davis, Osvaldo Borsani, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful dining table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis, circa 1970, features a beautifully refinished oval top in starburst walnut over a heavy contrasting polished and black ...
Steel
Stow Davis Walnut Starburst & Steel Dining Table / Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern walnut elliptical starburst design dining table by Stow & Davis furniture company - often attributed to Osvaldo Borsani (we suspect it is). Featuring a rich walnut starburst...
Steel
Stow Davis Mid Century Boomerang Walnut Executive Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Stow Davis mid century boomerang walnut executive desk The desk measures: 108 wide x 42.5 deep x 29.25 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches high All pieces of furniture...
Chrome
Osvaldo Borsani Walnut & Bronzed Steel Oval Dining Table, c. 1970
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Buffalo, NY
Osvaldo Borsani walnut & bronzed steel oval dining table, c. 1970,,, aMAZING starburst wood veneers,, Pictures do no justice,, Also retains wonderful br...
Steel