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.
Warren McArthur Armchairs, for McArthur Corporation 1933
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
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...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur, Dining Room Chairs, Aluminum, Fabric, USA, 1955
By Warren McArthur
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 10 aluminum, beige fabric and plastic dining room chairs or side chairs from Princeton University, designed by Warren McArthur and produced by Mayfair Industries, USA, c. 19...
Aluminum
$1,500 / item
Selection of Warren McArthur Chairs
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Art Deco aluminum chairs, designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930s. These can be used as dining, desk, or occasional cha...
Metal, Aluminum
Warren McArthur, Dining Room Chairs, Aluminum, Fabric, 1955
By Mayfair, Warren McArthur
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four aluminum, beige fabric and plastic dining room chairs or side chairs from Princeton University, designed by Warren McArthur and produced by Mayfair Industries, USA, c. ...
Aluminum
$544Sale Price / item|65% Off
H 27 in W 25 in D 24 in
Customizable Teak Wood Dining Room Chair with Beige Fabric, Nowe Collection
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A Nowe teak wood dining room chair designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis, with beige fabric. The Nowe teak wood dining room chair, designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis, blends conte...
Upholstery, Fabric, Teak
$9,290 / set
H 29.93 in W 29.53 in D 22.45 in
Set of Four Warren Platner Dining Armchairs for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Warren Platner Dining chairs An iconic set of four Warren Platner dining armchairs for Knoll, designed in the 1960s and instantly recognisable for their sculptural elegance and archi...
Steel
$38,500 / set
H 43 in W 22 in D 23 in
"The Imperial Chair" Set of Eight by Weiman/Warren Lloyd for Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Set your interior space up for drama and infuse style into your dining room with this gorgeous set of classically styled modern dining chairs. Known as the 'Imperial Chair' series model no. 976 were imported from Italy by the Weiman/Warren Lloyd company in the 1970s and distributed in the United States through Mastercraft Furniture of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Exquisite jewelry! Featuring continuous simulated brass faux bamboo frames, the legs united by a cross stretcher. The backs and seats professionally recovered in a green lily pad velvet fabric that adds to its upscale feel. This bold design brings a touch of Hollywood glamour and is a guaranteed eye-catcher from any angle. Made with the highest quality craftsmanship and impeccable eye for design. The chairs are in mint condition. Mastercraft was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1946 by brothers Charles and William Doezema-who came from a family of cabinet makers. The Doezema brothers went overseas during World War II and returned to the US planning to make furniture with an urban cosmopolitan style. Mastercraft specialized in chairs and case pieces with traditional forms and modernized veneers and finishes. In 1974 Mastercraft was acquired by Baker Furniture and Vancouver based artist Bernhard Rohne designed large case pieces...
Brass
$4,000 / set
H 33.75 in W 23.25 in D 20.5 in
Milo Baughman, Six Dining Chairs, Chrome, Fabric, USA, 1970s
By Milo Baughman
Located in Stamford, CT
Milo Baughman, American Mid-Century Modern, Six Dining Chairs, Chrome, Fabric, USA, 1970 Set of six patinated chrome and fabric dining chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Co...
Chrome
$6,750
H 31 in W 89 in D 30 in
Warren McArthur Art Deco Sofa circa 1930s Streamlined Aluminum Reupholstered 89"
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Streamlined Art Deco Aluminum Sofa, designed by Warren McArthur, circa 1930s. This sofa is currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric. Simply send us 12 yards ...
Aluminum
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 21.5 in D 17.5 in
Warren McArthur Aluminium Armchair Style No 1170 AU, circa 1939
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A Warren McArthur aluminium armchair style no 1170 AU in excellent vintage condition. This chair is a classic example of Warren's mastery of tube bending. The elongated S of the b...
Aluminum
Art Deco Set of 4 Chairs, France, 1940
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Set of four upholstered high back chairs covered in yellow vynil, in solid mahogany. Polished. The seat can be restored on request.
Mahogany
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chair This chair measures: 28.5 wide x 22 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 24.5 inch...
Metal
Pair of Warren McArthur Style No. 612 Tennis Chairs , 1935
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Warren McArthur Style No. 612 Tennis Chairs ,1935 Pair of Warren McArthur webbed anodized aluminum armchairs, known as the “Tennis Chair” or Style No. 612. The chairs feature...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur South Hampton Model 635 Lounge Chairs, 1935
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur South Hampton Model 635 Lounge Chairs, 1935 Description: Pair of Warren McArthur “South Hampton” model 635 lounge chairs, designed in 1935 and produced by the Warren ...
Aluminum
$4,800
H 28 in W 22 in D 25 in
Warren McArthur Low Lounge Version of Chair Model 1132 ASU Rome, NY 1936
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
An unusual Warren McArthur lounge chair, a low version of Warren McArthur's standard Style No. 1132ASU, exemplifies the innovative engineering and modernist elegance that defined McA...
Aluminum
$12,500Sale Price|50% Off
H 32 in W 74 in D 34 in
Warren McArthur Slat Back Sofa, Anodized Aluminum, Art Deco, 1933
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A slat back three-seat sofa, an early design by Warren McArthur manufactured in Rome, New York in 1933-1934. The slat back seating of Warren McArthur is his first seating design intr...
Aluminum
Sold
H 34 in W 16 in D 20 in
Set of Four Art Deco Aluminum and Mohair Dining Chairs by Warren McArthur - Rare
By Warren McArthur
Located in San Diego, CA
Super rare set of four art deco aluminum and mohair dining chairs with hockey puck feet by Warren McArthur, circa late 1930s. The chair frame and feet are in fair to good original co...
Aluminum
Set of Eight Warren McArthur Dining Chairs, 1930's
By Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of Eight Warren McArthur dining chairs. Sturdy tubular frames, seat and back reupholstered with new foam and Great Plains cotton fabric. Various surface scratches, rubs, small d...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Dining Chairs
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four Warren McArthur Art Deco aluminum dining chairs, American, circa 1930s. They are signed with the Warren McArthur decal underneath. They have been reupholstered in a cogna...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four Aluminium Dining Chairs by Warren McArthur with Pop Art Fabric Cover
By Warren McArthur
Located in Berlin, DE
Those beautiful chairs are made out of aluminium and the seats are upholstered in a Pop-Art Comic Fabric which are great fun. This authorized reproduction of the Warren McArthur cha...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Dining Chairs
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Warren McArthur dining chairs, American, circa 1930s. Very good original condition, including original low maintenance leatherette upholstery.
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Chair
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco aluminium chair, designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930s. We believe this to be the original upholstery. Signed underneath...
Aluminum
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four Aluminium Dining Chairs Model 1131 by Warren McArthur
By Warren McArthur
Located in Berlin, DE
This authorized reproduction of the model 1131 by Warren McArthur was produced by ClassiCon in the 1970s in Italy. It was a small edition which is closed and they are not available ...
Aluminum
Nice Set of Four Deco Folding Chairs by Warren McArthur
By Warren McArthur
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Made of brushed aluminum construction with new upholstery. The frames have the original ware. They have not been polished. They have a few scuffs, but no damage. They are still s...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Classic Pair of Side Chairs, circa 1938
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of Warren McArthur side chairs in their original sharkskin textured vinyl upholstery. Replaced rubber feet. Excellent vintage condition.
Aluminum
Pair of Art Deco Aluminum Chairs by Warren McArthur
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Art Deco Aluminum Chairs by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930's. They retain their original green vinyl upholstery. Signed underne...
Aluminum
Set of Ten Aluminum Dining Chairs by Warren McArthur
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Ten Aluminum Dining Chairs, designed by Warren McArthur, circa 1930's. We combined a set of six chairs and a set of four chairs to form a hard to find set of ten McArthur dini...
Aluminum
Set of 6 Warren McArthur Aircraft Seats 1940
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A suite of 6 Warren McArthur Corporation aircraft seats manufactured in 1940 for Glenn L. Martin's PBM-3 "Mariner" of which 1275 were made during WW II....