Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
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.
to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
14
106
62
44
40
Creator: 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 and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Mid Century Modern Rosewood Desk by Eigjil Petersen, Denmark
By Eigjil Petersen
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
The EP401 rosewood desk, designed by Eigjil Petersen in the 1960s, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship and design. This desk features a large rectangular top, offering ampl...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Casablanca Brass, Mexican Walnut and Black Leather Desk / Nomade Atelier Design
By Nomade Atelier
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
A striking balance between sharp edges and soft leather pocketing is found in the Casablanca desk by contemporary Nomade Atelier ´s Mexican design. Secr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 28.55 in W 51.19 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Desk, Mahogany Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style desk with a three-quarter wooden gallery, a single frieze drawer, and raised on square tapered legs. Finished in our dark mahogany stain.
Dimensions: 48" ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
George I Walnut Kneehole Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely figured walnut, rectangular quarter veneer top over top over a drawer and kneehole with door and small drawer flanked by drawers raised on bracket feet.
Category
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Other
Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa.
This teakwood desk it is a splendid example of the Italian class design of 1950.
B...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
19th Century English Walnut Desk
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A charming walnut desk. Made in England in the late 19th century. Lovely patine throughout. Panneled back, leather inset, castor wheels.
Chairspace is 62.5 H x 52 W cms.
Category
1890s British Victorian Antique Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style Antique Desk Brass Pulls Table Mint
By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Deep Walnut 9 Drawers Partners Style antique desk brass pulls table mint.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 31 in W 62 in D 38 in
Mid Century Natural Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid Century natural desk with a brown farmhouse style top with three natural design drawers above a splayed leg iron base.
Dimensions: 63" W x 28" D x 32" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
Category
19th Century American High Victorian Antique Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Walnut Partners Desk
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a walnut and Kashmir walnut partners desk made in England, circa 1890. The top of the desk is Walnut with 3 shaped pieces of beautiful brown lea...
Category
1890s English George III Antique Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Writing Desk by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic sleek vintage writing desk with a two drawer case featuring an unusual mahogany oyster veneer technique on anodized aluminum legs. Stamped Thomasville on the bottom.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-century desk or dressing table with our Rowan primavera veneered with inset breakfront top with brass finish fittings and sitting on brass finish spla...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Previously Available Items
1960s Postmodern George Reinoehl Stow & Davis Teak "Predictor" Executive Desk
By George Reinoehl, Stow Davis
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
H 28.5 in W 59 in D 29.75 in
Stow Davis Mid Century Boomerang Walnut Executive Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, 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...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Mid Century Executive Walnut Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning rare mid-century executive walnut desk manufactured by Stow Davis in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk has been constructed from the highest quality walnut wood and ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, IL
Stow Davis mid century walnut and brass boomerang desk
Desk measures: 80 wide x 35.5 deep x 29 inches high with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches
All pieces of furniture can be...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Stow Davis Walnut C Curve Roll Top Executive Bankers Desk Tambour
By Stow Davis
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Stow Davis roll top executive desk, circa 1920s. Made of walnut featuring a "C" curve roll top which opens to multiple cubbies and slots, over a kneehole flanked by multiple ...
Category
1920s Edwardian Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Burlwood Desk with Bronze Frame, 1970
By Stow Davis
Located in Chicago, IL
Burlwood desk with bronze frame, 1970. Desk is original.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Stow Davis Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Countryside, IL
Stow Davis Mid Century walnut and brass executive desk
Desk measures: 76 wide x 38 deep x 29.75 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage co...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
M.F. Harty for Stow Davis "Tomorrow" Floating Pedestal Executive Desk, Signed
By M. F. Harty, Stow Davis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredibly rare, special and massive Executive Desk designed by M. F. Harty and produced by Stow Davis as part of the "Tomorrow" collection in 1974; a series of designs that were ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
H 28.5 in W 94 in D 37 in
Stow and Davis Ebonized Walnut and Brass Boomerang Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury modern black executive desk, from the Sigma series, manufactured by Stow & Davis in the late 1950s-early 1960s. The writing table feat...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Stunning Modern Stow Davis Walnut Executive Desk with Black Insert
By Stow Davis
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful modern Stow Davis walnut executive desk with black insert, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rare Chrome and Walnut Stow Davis Desk
By Stow Davis
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice design excellent condition Mid-Century Modern desk by Stow Davis.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Rare Lime Green Cursed Oak Curved Executive Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Modernist Curved desk,manufactured by Stow Davis,, Original Grey Green Cursed oak finish,, Anodized aluminum hand pulls,, Brass detailing,,Age appropreate wear.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Stow & Davis desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Stow & Davis desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Stow & Davis
Questions About Stow & Davis Desks and Writing Tables
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Stuart 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, 2024The 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, 2025Whether 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.