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 Dining Table, Aluminum & Black Formica, 1938
By Warren McArthur, Warren McArthur Corporation
Located in Camden, ME
This square table by Warren McArthur, circa 1938, embodies the refined industrial elegance that defines the designer’s work. With its compact yet generous 42 x 42 inch footprint, it ...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Occasional Table, 1933
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur Occasional Table,1933 Model 1551 Warren McArthur Corporation Aluminum frame with laminated top. Distinctive tubular construction characteristic of McArthur’s early m...
Aluminum
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 108 in D 35.25 in
Aluminum Base Parsons Dining Table with Black Formica Leaves
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Nice quality aluminum base parsons table, with plate glass top, and two black formica refractory style leaves. The table measures 65"- L without the leaves, each leaf is 24"- L. The table frame is 2.5" W. Table suitable for use as a dining table, or a receptionist desk...
Aluminum
$5,624Sale Price|24% Off
H 28 in Dm 54 in
Warren Platner for Knoll International Bronze Wire & Marble Dining Table, 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional vintage example of the iconic Platner Bronze Dining Table designed in 1966 by Warren Platner and this example produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. This piece re...
Marble, Metal
Warren Platner Attr. Steel & Glass Dining Table For Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Mid Century design by Warren Platner. Black painted steel and glass dining table originally produced by for Knoll with regimented hourglass form covered with a 3/4" thick bev...
Steel
$4,708Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 118.12 in D 51.19 in
Large Art Deco Cerused Oak Dining Table By Maison Carlhian- Paris 1938.
By Maison Carlhian
Located in Brussels, BE
Exceptional Art Deco cerused oak dining room table with two additional extentions forming a table for 10 people. Labeled under the top: R & M Carlhian decorateurs-Paris. In the s...
Bronze
Italian Art Deco Dining Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Italian Art Deco Dining Table This stunning Art Deco dining table, a true masterpiece of Italian craftsmanship from the 1930s. Adorned with exceptional figured walnut and contrastin...
Walnut
Warren McArthur Art Deco Desk and Chair
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco aluminum desk and chair designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930s. The chair measures 31"H x 15.75"W x 17"D x 18" seat height.
Aluminum
1940s Art Deco Dining Table. Chrome, Black Glass
Located in Kansas City, MO
1940s Art Deco / machine age dining table. Heavy, cast-iron base with chrome support structure. The table has a flat black wood top with black reverse painted glass on top of that. T...
Chrome
Warren McArthur Occasional Table, 1942
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Chicago, IL
Warren McArthur Occasional Table, 1942 Stained maplewood top with black-painted edge over a lightweight aluminum frame. The tubular structure is engineered with McArthur’s signature ...
Maple
Warren Platner Marble Top Bronze Dining Table
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A Warren Platner dining table with bronze powder coated base and marble top.
Marble
Copy - 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
Art Deco dining table, black lacquer, circa 1930
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Art Deco dining table The Art Déco dining table is a stunning embodiment of elegance and sophistication. It is thoughtfully designed to enhance the aesthetic of any dining space. Fin...
Hardwood
$11,000
H 42 in W 50.5 in D 37.5 in
Warren McArthur Anodized Aluminum Study Desk, State Library of Virginia, 1939
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
This rare study desk is a documented, site-specific design by Warren McArthur, produced for the Rare Book Room of the State Library of Virginia and installed in 1939. The commission ...
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 28 in W 31.5 in D 36 in
Beautifully Distressed Frank Lloyd Wright & Warren McArthur Biltmore Cafe Table
By Warren McArthur, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Kansas City, MO
Outdoor patio dining table designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Warren McArthur for the Biltmore, Arizona. Beautifully original in its authentic wear. A stunning and important design. ...
Steel, Iron
Warren McArthur Art Deco Dining Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Streamlined Art Deco dining table, designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a small dining or breakfast table, or as a la...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Centre Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco centre table, designed by Warren McArthur, American, circa 1930s. It is a versatile size and can be used as centre table, lamp table, or small dining or dinette table. The t...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Dining or Game Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco aluminium dining or game table, designed by Warren McArthur, circa 1930s. Executed in aluminium with a low maintenance white laminate top and retaining it's original black r...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Dining Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Atlanta, GA
Warren McArthur Dining Table, American, circa 1930's. This table is a versatile size and can be used as a dining, conference, or library table. It would go well with the Warren McArt...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Drop Leaf Dining Table
By Warren McArthur
Located in Pasadena, TX
An amazing Warren McArthur Drop Leaf Dining Table. Table features aluminum base connection to top portion. There are hinges on either side to bring the table sides up or down. The ba...
Oak