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 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
$2,400
H 26.78 in W 32.29 in D 26.19 in
Antique Spillman & Co St Martins Lane London Extending Occasional Games Table
By Spillman
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely condition antique Spillman & Co St Martins Lane London extending large side or occasional table This is a very well made and versat...
Walnut
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 24 in D 24 in
Mid Century Modern Tommi Parzinger Green Leather Occasional Table
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mid Century Modern Tommi Parzinger Green Leather Occasional Table
Leather, Wood
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
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
$11,000Sale Price|33% Off
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, Warren McArthur Corporation
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
Fine French Art Deco Game / Occasional Table by Rinck
By Maurice Rinck
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rinck - established in 1841 and directed by Maurice Rinck in the Art Deco / mid-century period. A fine game / tea table in elm with a reversible top (wood on one side and felt on the other) with four tapered legs and chrome cup...
Chrome
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 45 in D 15.5 in
Warren McArthur Demi-Lune Console Table, Anodized Aluminum, c. 1935
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
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
Warren McArthur Side Table with Patinated Top
By Warren McArthur
Located in Dallas, TX
Warren McArthur aluminum table with patinated wooden top.
Aluminum
$3,900Sale Price|25% Off
H 30.75 in W 35.75 in D 17.25 in
Warren McArthur Console Sky Blue Cafolite Top c. 1935
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
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 Coffee Table ca' 1930's
By Warren McArthur
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual Warren McArthur coffee table with architectural, machine age base and original formica black top. Signed underneath.
Aluminum
Rare Transitional Side Table/Etagere by Warren McArthur
By Warren McArthur
Located in Stamford, CT
A ebonized and polished Aluminum side table by Warren McArthur. This side table is almost certainly from 1929, showing the prevalence of the triangle in McArthurs work around the tim...
Aluminum
Warren McArthur Art Deco Table and Chairs, circa 1933
By Warren McArthur
Located in Astoria, NY
Warren McArthur (American, 1885-1961) Art Deco Cafe Table and Four Dining Chairs, circa 1933, aluminum, lacquered wood and Bakelite, the chairs each with manufacturer's label. Chair...
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