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 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
$12,000Sale Price / set|53% Off
Warren McArthur Pair of Matched Sofas Style No. 917-3 C. 1938
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
A Warren McArthur Corporation matched pair of Style No. 917-3 3-seater sofas from the late 30s. A stunning example of Art Moderne or Machine Age design, this pair of Warren McArthur...
Aluminum
$12,500Sale Price|50% Off
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
Warren McArthur Style No. 977L AUR 3 Seater Sofa Celadon Mohair 1938
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Rare and early Warren McArthur Style No. 977L AUR three-seat sofa, circa 1938. This example represents a transitional phase in McArthur’s production, preceding his later work designing aircraft seating during the 1940s. Constructed with McArthur’s patented system of precision-engineered anodized aluminum tubing, the frame exemplifies his mastery of structural lightness and visual clarity. The softly contoured seat and back reflect his ergonomic sensibility and his pursuit of mechanical elegance in domestic furnishings. Distinctive black rubber “donuts” at both the feet and armrests are original design features, later replaced in subsequent production with smaller fittings. This early detail, combined with the elongated frame geometry, firmly situates the piece within McArthur’s pre-war output. Reupholstered in celadon green mohair with contrasting ivory piping, the sofa presents a refined interplay of color and texture — industrial yet luxurious. The aluminum retains a subtle, even patina consistent with age. This example is both labeled and cataloged, underscoring its authenticity within McArthur’s documented oeuvre. It is only the second 977L AUR I have handled; the last example was acquired in 2013. A superb and historically significant work from one of America’s foremost machine-age designers, bridging the evolution from streamline moderne furniture...
Aluminum
1930s Restored Art Deco Sofa, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carrefully refurbished - Newly upholstered- walnut finish - can be used with or without pillows - Seat height with pillows is 48cm
Fabric, Wood
$11,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 55.52 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Two Seat Mohair 'California' Sofas, Jacques Charpentier, Paris, 1970
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Superb and exclusive pair of two seat Mohair Velvet 'CALIFORNIA' sofas freshly reupholstered with Italian luxury Mohair Velvet fabric from Dedar Milano with inset stainless steel bases by Parisian high society designer Jacques Charpentier. This plush mohair pile...
Stainless Steel
Jules Leleu, Art Deco Sofa with Rounded Back, French, 1930s
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
A lush, upholstered sofa with rounded arms, back, and feet. These last, executed in French polished beech, serve as a charming, subtle accent. A 1930s de...
Upholstery, Beech
$38,000
H 24 in W 104 in D 34 in
Brazilian Modern Rosewood Sofa in Celadon Mohair by Celina, Brazil, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
A commanding example of Brazilian modern design, this monumental four-seat sofa was produced by Celina in Brazil during the 1960s. Its architectural silhouette is defined by a substa...
Mohair, Rosewood
$38,000
H 34 in W 96 in D 29 in
Brazilian Modern Sculpted Sofa in Rosewood & Celadon Mohair, Novo Rumo, 1960s
By Novo Rumo
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Novo Rumo in São Paulo during the 1960s, this monumental Brazilian Modern sofa combines generous comfort with a commanding architectural presence. Founded by architect an...
Mohair, Rosewood
Pair of sofas
Located in Porto, PT
Pair of sofas. Portuguese, 20th century; wooden frames upholstered in green velvet. Dimensions: 90x116x76 cm.
Wood
$40,000
H 71 in W 102 in D 33 in
Four-Seat Sofa in Brazilian Rosewood with Sculpted Slatted Back & Velvet, 1960s
By J.D. Moveis e Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This four-seat sofa by JD Móveis brings together expressive Brazilian rosewood, sculptural woodworking, and inviting upholstery. Its low, elongated frame gives the richly figured ven...
Velvet, Rosewood
Italian Art Deco Sofa with Integrated Cabinet, 1930s
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Art Deco Sofa with Integrated Cabinet, wood, Italy, 1930s An asymmetrical Art Deco sofa conceived as a single architectural volume, with a low upholstered bench flanked by built-in ...
Wood
$13,664
H 32.68 in W 77.56 in D 37.41 in
STUNNING GEORGE SMITH CHELSEA SiGNATURE SCROLL ARM MOHAIR VELVET THREE SEAT SOFA
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning George Smith Chelsea Signature Scroll arm three seat sofa in luxurious Mohair-Velvet A very good looking well made ...
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
Vintage Swedish Otto Schultz Art Deco Curved Channel Back Sofa
Located in Pasadena, TX
This sofa was designed by Otto Schultz. It was made in Sweden during the Art Deco period (1920-40). It has a curved back and is upholstered in a corduroy fabric. The back is upholste...
Wood
$9,950 / item
H 27 in W 66 in D 32 in
Two Seater No. 1 - Fluentum Series - Wooden Sofa with upholstery
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
This piece features a unique design element where the main frame and the inner layers of wood converge to create the back-rest of the piece in a natural flow. The legs of the sofa se...
Velvet, Ash, Bentwood
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
1930s Art Deco Sofa
Located in New York, NY
An exquisitely crafted Art Deco sofa from the 1930s. The woven fabric, in a dark green shade, is the original upholstery. Sleek lines and full, rounded forms characterize the sofa's ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Italian Art Deco Sofa with Side Cabinet, 1930s
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Art Deco Sofa with Integrated Cabinet, wood, Italy, 1930s An Art Deco sofa built as a single asymmetrical volume, where a long low upholstered bench resolves at one end into an inte...
Wood
$17,400
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 31.5 in
1930s Art Deco Cowhide Two-Seater Sofa, France, Architectural Design
Located in Antwerp, BE
French Art Deco two-seater sofa dating to the 1930s, defined by a low, rectilinear silhouette with broad squared armrests, a deep seat and a slightly inclined backrest. The generous ...
Cowhide, Wood
Warren McArthur Sofa
By Warren McArthur
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Warren McArthur, Sofa
Metal
Warren McArthur Sofa Stainless Steel Slat Back 1935-1936 Rare
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
A sofa by the Warren McArthur Corporation from the mid-1930s with a stainless steel frame and his earliest sofa design with a slat back. Very rare on both counts. Stamped with a Wa...
Stainless Steel
McArthur Terrace Settee
By Warren McArthur
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A anodized tubular aluminum terrace settee with laced and fabric back, six cushions and rubber feet. Made in the 30's this rare and hard to find sofa has extreme bends which during t...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Sofa
By Warren McArthur
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A rare McArthur three cushion sofa with aluminum tubular frame, black hockey puck feet and upholstered in a nice gray toned sail cloth type fabric. This rare sofa has a great archite...
Aluminum
Pair of Warren McArthur Laced Sofas c.1938
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A rare pair of Warren McArthur 3-Seater Terrace Settees from a Long Island estate originally purchased in the late 1930's. The two sofas are among McArthur's most complex furnitu...
Warren McArthur Cube Settee Style No. 906 AU, 1933-1934
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Warren McArthur's cube settee Style No. 906 AU manufactured in 1933/ 34.. This settee is style No. 906 AU (Arm Upholstered) with an elegant J-leg for support manufactured at the McA...
Upholstery