Few 20th-century designers had influential furniture that regularly flew at 30,000 feet, but Warren McArthur did. His work — and the work of his company, the Warren McArthur Corporation — 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
$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
$2,224 / 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
Donald Deskey Machine Age Desk
By Donald Deskey
Located in New York, NY
Rare desk in walnut and banded copper-plated aluminum, designed by Donald Deskey and produced by Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company, circa 1929. A strong statement of Machine Age aesth...
Copper
$1,950
H 39.325 in W 68.25 in D 21.625 in
1960s Pilastro Multi-Color Two Section Wall Mount Desk with Drawers and Shelves
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Pilastro multi-color wall mount desk with double drawers and adjustable shelves. An energetic industrial style desk with white and orange enameled shelves, textured white ename...
Metal
$2,224 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Oak desk with two solid walnut drawers in mid-century modern style
Located in SULECHÓW, -
Oak 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 oak wood and wood covered with nat...
Brass
$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
$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
On Hold|$6,000
H 28.5 in W 54 in D 24 in L 28.5 in
West Michigan Burlwood Desk with Bronze X-Base, Two Drawers
By West Michigan Furniture Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This West Michigan Furniture Company desk is a striking blend of craftsmanship and clean-lined modernism. Featuring a highly figured burlwood top with rich natural variation, the pie...
Steel
A Modernist Desk France 1930s
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A modernist desk from France 1930s Minimalist form. Drawer handle and the base are in copper. Rosewood and copper. Report : Fully restored by a cabinetmaker. We keep the original...
Copper
$7,495
H 30 in W 42 in D 16 in
Art Deco Machine Age International Style Chrome & Black Desk Attr Gilbert Rohde
By Troy Sunshade Company, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Art Deco, Machine Age, Streamline Modern, Art Moderne, International style, Bauhaus desk or vanity in chrome, black painted wood with red faux leather insert possibly Fabrik...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$2,730Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 59.06 in D 31.5 in
Oak Executive Desk, Poland, 1930s, Renovated with Decorative Motifs
Located in Opole, PL
Oak Executive Desk from the 1930s This piece features three drawers on each side and one centrally placed drawer. The fronts of both the doors and the drawer are adorned with decora...
Oak
French Bonheur De Jour Desk Painted Placques Kingwood, 1930s
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning French Bonheur de Jour desk we date to circa 1920 Crafted from kingwood with painted plaques showing scenes of courtly love with two romantic couples Top is a cabinet with...
Kingwood