Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Few 20th-century designers had influential furniture that regularly flew at 30,000 feet, but Warren McArthur did. His work — and the work of his company, the Warren McArthur Corporation — on seating for military aircraft came near the end of his career, following decades of Machine Age furniture shaped from tubular forms and made of steel, chrome and aluminum.
Warren McArthur Jr. graduated with an engineering degree from Cornell University in 1908. After moving to Los Angeles in 1929, he founded the Warren McArthur Corporation a year later. His initial output of sleek, metal designs were popular in offices and hotels.
At the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, Americans witnessed a new “Streamlined America” campaign, which included everyday furniture made from metal, opening the door for McArthur and other Machine Age designers to a residential audience. With this increase in demand for metal furniture, the Warren McArthur Corporation relocated to Rome, New York, and sold their aluminum furnishings out of a showroom on Park Avenue in New York City.
Actors Marlene Dietrich, Fredric March and Clark Gable were among his A-list clientele. McArthur also produced furniture for the dining cars on the Union Pacific Railroad and the Chrysler Headquarters. His designs were featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 1934 exhibition “Contemporary American Industrial Art.”
During World War II, McArthur pivoted production after a ban on the private use of aluminum. McArthur made an estimated three-quarters of all American military aircraft seating, including adjustable seats for the Beechcraft C-45 and revolving seats for navigators aboard the Grumman HU-16 Albatross.
Warren McArthur closed his business in 1948. He died in 1961.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Warren McArthur armchairs, tables and other seating.
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Aluminum
1930s Machine Age Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1980s American Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Composition
20th Century American Country Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Pine
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Teak
Late 20th Century Belgian Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Polyester
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Aluminum, Steel
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Warren McArthur Corporation Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
