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.
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Warren McArthur Corp. Aircraft Co-Pilot Proposal Drawing, 1946
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Interesting vintage proposal drawing in 1/2 scale of an aircraft co-pilot seat. Dated 1/12/46 from the Warren McArthur Corporation. Drawing measures 26 x 4...
Pencil, Paper
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
Warren McArthur Aircraft Seating Proposal Drawing, 1941
By Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
Warren McArthur rare original pencil proposal sketch (SK 1749) for an aircraft passenger seat for the Lockheed Corporation. This proposal was accepted and the seat was manufactured...
Paper
$411
H 12.37 in W 21.07 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Original Aviation Pencil Drawing Depicting an Albatros CIII WWI Aircraft
By Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Pencil drawing depicting a two-seat biplane airplane for reconnaissance Albatros C III produced in 1916, by Riccardo Cavigioli. Measure with frame cm 53.5 x 31.4 - inches 21 x 13. ...
Paper
French Architectural Drawings
Located in Seattle, WA
set of 3 framed and matted french architectural drawings of Propriete de Mr Jugla on the Rue Vital No 39, Paris-Passy. dated Feb. 20, 1894
Metal
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.25 in W 9.5 in D 0.1 in
"Six Scenes with Male Nudes, " Drawings from Morocco by Jacques Azéma, 1946
By Jacques Azema
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A remarkable ensemble of drawings dating to 1946, on one sheet of paper, each scene depicting one or more male nude figures, this work displays the stylization and mannerism that is suggestive of Le Corbusier and his contemporaries. The artist was Jacques Azéma...
Paper
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.25 in W 28.25 in D 1 in
Paris Street Scene Drawing, Le Clos Du Moulin Paris Drawing & Colored Ink
Located in Miami, FL
Paris street scene drawing depicting signed and dated 1967. Beautiful depiction of a view of the street scenes of Paris, France. Vibrant decorative artwork defined by short and rapi...
Paper, Wood
Vintage Handmade Drawing poster, Italy 1960s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
A vintage hand made drawing poster. Made in Italy typical home decor of the time. Good conditions.
Paper
$411
H 12.21 in W 19.3 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Original Aviation Pencil Drawing Depicting a Hanriot HD 1 WWI Aircraft
By Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Pencil drawing depicting a single-seat biplane airplane fighter Hanriot HD 1, by Riccardo Cavigioli. Measure with frame cm 49 x 31 - inch19.3 x 11.8. Riccardo Cavigioli was born in ...
Paper
$528
H 27.96 in W 25.4 in D 0.79 in
Pencil Aviation Drawing Depicting a Caudron G Wwi Aircraft by Riccardo Cavigioli
By Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Pencil-drawing by Riccardo Cavigioli in the early 1920s depicting a two-seat biplane airplane for reconnaissance Caudron G III, French production of 1914, equipped with a Le Rhone 80...
Paper
$763
H 17.72 in W 14.97 in D 0.79 in
Art Deco Drawing Representing Nude Woman by Van Doren 'Raymond' Belgium 1941
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This drawing is representing a nude woman. The frame is in a brown color, and the drawing is done on a white support. It has made circa 1940. Art Deco Period. by VAN DOREN (Raymond...
Wood, Paper
Drawing, Ships, French School
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Two Ships, one called Le Fromidable
Dated 20 mai 92, situated Rochefort
Paper
Original Fashion Drawing, Pat Kerr, 1946
By Pat Kerr
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful ink and wash by Pat Kerr, 1946. So evocative of the 1940s. On card. Unsigned. Presented in an antique water gilded frame Drawn for A & C Kay, New Bond St. Lond...
Paper
$587
H 29.53 in W 22.84 in D 0.79 in
Drawing Representing Three Different Biplanes Aircraft WWI by Riccardo Cavigioli
By Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Pencil drawing drawn by Riccardo Cavigioli in the early 1920s representing three single-seat biplane airplanes. Right= two single seat biplane fighter Nieuport 11 Bebe of 1915. Left ...
Paper
William Ridenhour '1941-2010' 1972 Watercolor on Paper
Located in Sharon, CT
Signed in pencil lower right, dated lower left: 18 November 1971. Provenance: Robert Elkon Gallery NYC, exhibited in Ridenhour's first one-man show November 1972.
Paper