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.
$6,800 / set
Warren McArthur Pair of Console Tables 1933
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur Pair of Console Tables Warren McArthur Corporation, c. 1933 Aluminum frame with painted wood tops and rubber components. Dimensions: 30¼ h × 35¼ w × 14 d in (77 × 90 ...
Aluminum
Rare Warren McArthur Console / Hall Table, Art Deco, Machine Age, 1930's
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare demilune console table designed by Warren McArthur. Amazing design, proportion, table has been re-painted (at some point) Retains remnants of original label, Also orig...
Aluminum
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 of t...
Aluminum
$3,900Sale Price|25% Off
Warren McArthur Console Sky Blue Cafolite Top c. 1935
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
Unusual Warren McArthur console or perhaps a work table from a department store or beauty salon cosmetic cubicle. The sky blue Cafolite top was produced for the Warren McArthur Corp...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Demi-Lune Console Table, Anodized Aluminum, c. 1935
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
A reserved and well-considered demi-lune console table by Warren McArthur, dating to around 1935. Works from this period reflect McArthur’s focus on lightweight structural systems an...
Aluminum
Custom Art Deco Walnut Console Table
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
This custom Art Deco walnut console table is absolutely gorgeous. With a large U-shaped base and pedestal, this piece is like a work of s...
Walnut
1 Conole Style Art Deco, 1930
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Consoles Art Deco Year: 1930 Country: French Wood Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and sophisticated console. You want to live in the golden years, this is the console ...
Wood
$1,980Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 52.37 in D 25.99 in
Pair Georgian Mahogany Demi Lune Console tables
By King & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
Pair Georgian Mahogany Demi Lune shaped Console tables Solid Mahogany tops Apron with Figured Mahogany veneer with boxwood line inlay 4 Mahogany Square tapering legs Very good qual...
Mahogany
$5,500 / set
H 22 in W 28 in D 14 in
Pair of Machine Age Art Deco Side Tables in the Style of Donald Deskey
By Donald Deskey
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Pair of Machine Age Art Deco side tables in the style of Donald Deskey.
Chrome
$1,470Sale Price|30% Off
H 31 in W 15.5 in D 70 in
Early Rustic Folding Table Possibly Use for Paper Hanging
Located in Sheffield, MA
An early rustic folding table used by tradesman possibly for paper hanging. Table folds up making it easy to transport to projects. Use this tabl...
Wood
$2,109
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 11.03 in
Midcentury Walnut and Brass Italian Work Table with Wheels, 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury walnut and brass work table with wheels. This wonderful piece was produced in Italy, during 1940s. This great item is made...
Brass, Copper
Pair of Vineyard Demilune Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The Vineyard demilune console table is a stunning piece that brings a touch of nature into your home. Made from pine, it has a natural and rustic look that will instantly warm up any space. The flaky pine finish gives it a one-of-a-kind texture and depth, while the half-round demilune top...
Wood
$8,500
H 34.26 in W 39.77 in D 16.54 in
A Fine French Art Deco Hammered Metal and Marble Console Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine and sleek French Art Deco hammered steel and marble table console.
Marble, Steel
Chinoiserie Decorated Demi Lune Console Table
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie Decorated Demi Lune shape Console Table Black & gold in colour, Depicting : Figure, house , Trees & foliage Sitting on 3 Cabriole shaped legs Good Original Cond...
Lacquer
Pair of Swedish Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th century original painted pine Swedish demi lune console tables. 1860. Dimensions 43 inches (109 cms) wide 21.5 inches (55 cms) deep 30 inches (76 cms) high.
Pine
French Vintage Industrial Work Table
Located in Buchanan, NY
This antique industrial work table console is a remarkable and functional addition to any living space, featuring fluted neoclassical st...
Iron
Marble Bakery Store Table
Located in Oakville, CT
Marble Top Confectioners / Bakery Table Overall Dimensions: 24" x 121" x 31 1/2" high Materials: Maple, Oak & Marble
Marble
Warren McArthur Console Table 1933
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur Console Table 1933, Warren McArthur Corporation, Rome, New York Model 1551 Aluminum frame with laminate top 21½ h × 28 w × 14 d in (55 × 71 × 36 cm) Decal manufacture...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Console Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur library table, model 1651 Intersecting triple banded aluminum with Art Deco curves and multiple fittings, showing no sign...
Aluminum
1938 Warren McArthur Console and Mirror.
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A custom ordered Warren McArthur console and mirror c.1938. The lightness and vertical height of the console serves as an interesting counterpoint to the weight of the peach mirr...
Warren McArthur Library Table, the Library of Virginia, 1940
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Classic side table occasional table by Warren McArthur commissioned for the State Library of Virginia, delivered in August of 1940. The top is laminated Bakelite...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Console or Work Table Anodized Aluminum circa 1938
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A Warren McArthur 60" console table (Style No. 1653-2) anodized aluminum 1938 in excellent vintage condition.
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Demilune Console Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Demilune Art Deco Console Table, designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930's.