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.
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 D...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
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...
Aluminum
$495
H 30 in W 60 in D 21 in
Art Deco Machine Age Industrial Desks by Bel Geddes for Simmons Furniture Co.
By Simmons Company Furniture, Norman Bel Geddes
Located in New York, NY
High Style, Art Deco, Machine Age, Industrial design desk(s) by Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Furniture Company circa 1930's. The desks feature a bank of three drawers which flank th...
Steel
$2,261 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Walnut desk with two solid walnut drawers in mid-century modern style
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Desk in mid-century style with two drawers and brass handles. The tapered legs are finished with brass plated aluminum feet. Desk made of solid American walnut wood and wood covered ...
Brass
French Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk, Hand-Crafted, Paris, 1930s
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Paris, this French Art Deco desk dates to the 1930s and features a clean, architectural silhouette with slab side supports and a balanced three-drawer layout. The proporti...
Metal
18th Century French Louis XIII Walnut Library Table or Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome and beautifully patinated 18th century French Provincial walnut library table or desk crafted in the Louis XIII Baroque taste. The piece features a long rectangular plank ...
Walnut
$5,981 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss
By Renats Kotlevs
Located in Riga, LV
Refined elegance and classic design characterize the Kanttari Writing Desk. The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful writing desk is handmade with soft to touch black ...
Brass
19th Century Mahogany Two-drawer Desk Or Writing Table
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 19th century mahogany writing table from England Very beautiful desk that has the perfect size neither too big nor too small. Ideal for working Elegant desk that has two dra...
Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Walnut Partner Desk with Leather Top
Located in Astoria, NY
A refined 1930s French Art Deco partner desk, sourced in Provence and structurally revised and refinished in our workshop. The desk is defined by a strong architectural form, execute...
Metal
Vintage Mirrored Vanity Table or Desk With Scalloped Edge
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage mirrored vanity table or desk with a scalloped edge along the apron and tapered legs. Three drawers. Fully encased in mirror....
Mirror
$2,500
H 34.5 in W 49.75 in D 23.5 in
Mainline by Hooker Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Two-Tiered Desk
By Mainline by Hooker, Hooker Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the USA, this desk is the most dynamic and handsome of all the Mainline pieces. While most others tend to look clunky, this model features some design cues that ...
Brass
19th Century English Regency Chinoiserie Library Desk or Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century English Regency Chinoiserie Library Table A substantial 19th century, English Regency, Chinoiserie partners library table with a gre...
Leather, Wood
$6,200
H 45 in W 53 in D 45 in
Rare 1930s Antique Industrial Steel & Brass Roll Top Desk by the Art Metal Co.
By Art Metal Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
This is an absolute stunner of a roll top! Rare 1930s Steel and brass Manufactured by the Art Metal Construction Co. of Jamestown, NY around ...
Brass, Steel
Mid-Century Pen Shell Desk or Writing Table by Maitland-Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic sleek Mid-Century Modern desk crafted in a pen shell mosaic with three drawers in the case having brass highlights on elegant legs with ball feet. Signed Maitland-Smith in drawer.
Shell
Warren McArthur Rolling Bar Cart Rome Ny C, 1933/34
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A Warren McArthur modernist rolling bar cart manufactured during the first years Warren was located in Rome, New York. The Warren McArthur Corporation moved from Los Angeles to Rome, New York in January of 1933. The label ending in "PATS APPLIED FOR" identifies the bar as being manufactured in Rome between 1933/34. The use of square half inch tubing for the rails bordering the shelves and the staggered count of one, two or three tubes is a well considered contrast to the one inch round tubing that comprises the main body of the bar frame. The inch and half rectangular U tube that forms the foundation tube of the bar cart gives the necessary strength as well as a strong rectilinear visual that lends a visual balance with the half inch rectangular tubing. The spacing of the three half round shelves...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Small Writing Desk Vanity c. 1938
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Two drawer writing desk by Warren McArthur. The desk was professionally restored 25 years ago and has minor wear consistent with gentle use. When purchased through 1stdibs ther...
Aluminum
Rare Warren McArthur Secretary circa 1938
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A spectacular example of Warren McArthur's art deco case work. c This impressive art moderne desk with its bookcase and storage compartments H.84" x W. 72" x D. 24" was part of a...