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Warren McArthur Furniture

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
Dealer: Sputnik Modern
Warren McArthur Lounge Chair in Original Leather
By Warren McArthur
Located in Dallas, TX
Warren McArthur for Namco lounge chair in original leather.
Category

1930s Vintage Warren McArthur Furniture

Materials

Leather

Warren McArthur Side Table with Patinated Top
By Warren McArthur
Located in Dallas, TX
Warren McArthur aluminum table with patinated wooden top.
Category

1930s Vintage Warren McArthur Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Warren McArthur Armchair in Original Leather
By Warren McArthur
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully patinated leather and aluminum armchair designed by Warren McArthur, 1930's.
Category

1930s Vintage Warren McArthur Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

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Warren McArthur furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Warren McArthur furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our Warren McArthur collection, there are many options to choose from, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. In-stock we have 60 vintage editions of these items, while there is also 0 modern edition to choose from. Many original furniture by Warren McArthur were created in North America during the 20th century in the Art Deco style. Many customers also consider furniture by Nancy Corzine, Kem Weber and Zenith if you’re looking for additional options. Prices for Warren McArthur furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $1,350 and tops out at $24,000, while pieces like these can sell for $6,600 on average..

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