Skip to main content

Warren McArthur

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.

Average Sold Price
$2,101
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Warren McArthur Industrial Design Side Chair with Sling Back, c. 1935
Warren McArthur Industrial Design Side Chair with Sling Back, c. 1935

Warren McArthur Industrial Design Side Chair with Sling Back, c. 1935

By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur

Located in Chicago, IL

Warren McArthur Industrial Design Side Chair with Sling Back, c. 1935 Aluminum, Rubber Feet and Upholstery (cotton-poly blend) A rare example of early American industrial design by W...

Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Warren McArthur

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Art Deco Tubular Anodized Aluminum Standing Coatrack By Warren McArthur
Art Deco Tubular Anodized Aluminum Standing Coatrack By Warren McArthur

Art Deco Tubular Anodized Aluminum Standing Coatrack By Warren McArthur

By Warren McArthur

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This Art Deco tubular anodized aluminum standing coatrack was designed by American designer Warren McArthur. The rack consists of four aluminum tubes banded together that elegantly f...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Petite Lounge Chairs by Warren McArthur
Pair of Petite Lounge Chairs by Warren McArthur

Pair of Petite Lounge Chairs by Warren McArthur

$6,800 / set

H 32 in W 19 in D 26 in

Pair of Petite Lounge Chairs by Warren McArthur

By Warren McArthur

Located in Dallas, TX

A pair of petite lounge chairs designed by Warren McArthur for the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, 1929. Reupholstered in a Holly Hunt boucle.

Category

1930s Vintage Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur Art Deco Dining Table, Aluminum & Black Formica, 1938
Warren McArthur Art Deco Dining Table, Aluminum & Black Formica, 1938

Warren McArthur Art Deco Dining Table, Aluminum & Black Formica, 1938

$4,400Sale Price|20% Off

H 28 in W 42 in D 42 in

Warren McArthur Art Deco Dining Table, Aluminum & Black Formica, 1938

By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur

Located in Camden, ME

This square table by Warren McArthur, circa 1938, embodies the refined industrial elegance that defines the designer’s work. With its compact yet generous 42 x 42 inch footprint, it ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur Folding Chair for Mayfair Industries
Warren McArthur Folding Chair for Mayfair Industries

Warren McArthur Folding Chair for Mayfair Industries

By Warren McArthur

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1930's art deco folding chair by Warren McArthur. The chair features a tubular aluminum frame with green fabric upholstered seat and seat back....

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur Custom Model 1642-5 Glass Top Console 1935 Table Rome, NY
Warren McArthur Custom Model 1642-5 Glass Top Console 1935 Table Rome, NY

Warren McArthur Custom Model 1642-5 Glass Top Console 1935 Table Rome, NY

$6,500Sale Price|20% Off

H 32.25 in W 60 in D 24 in

Warren McArthur Custom Model 1642-5 Glass Top Console 1935 Table Rome, NY

By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation

Located in Camden, ME

vWarren McArthur custom ordered console/display table for the B&M Department Store of Peoria, Illinois with its attached Rome NY order label dated 2/35. The standard dimensions ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

After Warren McArthur for Namco Lounge Chairs
After Warren McArthur for Namco Lounge Chairs

After Warren McArthur for Namco Lounge Chairs

$8,400 / set

H 33 in W 24 in D 26 in

After Warren McArthur for Namco Lounge Chairs

By Warren McArthur, Namco

Located in Chicago, IL

After Warren McArthur for Namco Lounge Chairs, Tubular Aluminum, and leather lounges by Warren McArthur for Namco. Reupholstered with Spinneybeck leather.

Category

1930s Australian Art Deco Vintage Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur Armchairs, for McArthur Corporation 1933
Warren McArthur Armchairs, for McArthur Corporation 1933

Warren McArthur Armchairs, for McArthur Corporation 1933

$14,000 / set

H 33 in W 24.5 in D 23 in

Warren McArthur Armchairs, for McArthur Corporation 1933

By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur

Located in Chicago, IL

Set of Six Warren McArthur Armchairs for McArthur Corporation, 1933 Aluminum frames with woven linoleum upholstery and rubber elements. Set includes four examples of model 1047-A and...

Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur

Materials

Aluminum

Browse all Furniture from Warren McArthur
Shop Now

Warren McArthur Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$1,200Coat Racks and StandsSteel2000s
2026$2,900ChairsAluminum1945
2026$725ChairsAluminum1950s
2025$380Side Chairs, ChairsAluminum, Upholstery, Naugahyde1930-1939
2025$4,500Lounge ChairsSteel, Upholstery1930's
2025$4,000Dining Room ChairsAluminum, Mohair1930s
2025$1,000Coffee and Cocktail TablesMetal, Laminate, Wood1930's
$2,101
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$380-$4,500
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Warren McArthur

Warren Mcarthur furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Warren McArthur furniture 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 furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Warren McArthur were created in the Art Deco style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Warren McArthur Corporation, Kem Weber, and Sally Sirkin Lewis. Prices for Warren McArthur furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $725 and can go as high as $24,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,500.