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Warren McArthur Desks

American, 1885-1961

Few 20th-century designers had influential furniture that regularly flew at 30,000 feet, but Warren McArthur did. His work 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.

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Creator: Warren McArthur
Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk from the Virginia State Library, Richmond V.A. Aluminum base, wood top with laminate surface Dimensions: 30¼"high 50½" w...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Warren McArthur Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk
Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk

Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk

Rare Warren McArthur Two-Tier Desk with Drawers, Reversible, Machine Age 1930s
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur two-tier desk with drawers Aluminum and black lacquered wood Warren McArthur Corporation, 1930s Measures: 48" x 24" x 30" desk height Desk is reversible, and ca...
Category

1930s Machine Age Vintage Warren McArthur Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Warren McArthur Two-Tier Desk with Drawers, Reversible, Machine Age 1930s

Rare Warren McArthur Two-Tier Desk with Drawers, Reversible, Machine Age 1930s

Warren McArthur Desk
By Warren McArthur
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black lacquered top and drawers in aluminium tube base, with aluminum handles. Original lacquer finish.
Category

1930s American Machine Age Vintage Warren McArthur Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur Desk
Warren McArthur Desk

Warren McArthur Desk

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Warren Mcarthur desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Warren McArthur desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Warren McArthur desks, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Warren McArthur desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,400 and can go as high as $8,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,450.

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