Rare Warren McArthur Two-Tier Desk with Drawers, Reversible, Machine Age 1930s
About the Item
- Creator:Warren McArthur Corporation (Manufacturer),Warren McArthur (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Style:Machine Age (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition. Black lacquered wood components have been re-finished at some point in time, most likely within the past decade. Some yellowing has occurred on the aluminum parts, mostly to located near the bottom of the legs, and the drawer.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7362233249982
Warren McArthur
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 Corporation
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Modern Bleached Maple Executive Desk with 5 Drawers, Made to OrderBy Last WorkshopLocated in Chicago, ILA fresh modern and minimal take on an executive style desk. Features five soft-close drawers in three different sizes: Two file drawers, two standard drawers, and one shallow drawer...Category
2010s American Minimalist Desks
MaterialsMaple
- 1960's Mid Century Modern Walnut Executive desk with floating topLocated in Chicago, IL1960's Mid Century Modern Walnut Executive desk. Features a "floating" desktop and (6) drawers. Unmarked, however very well made. 60" x 30" x 29"H Condition: Overall very good con...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-century George Nelson Secretary Dresser and desk for Herman Miller, 1960'sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson Secretary for Herman Miller, 1960's Walnut Herman Miller tag on inside of drawer. 5 drawers and a pull-down desktop. Measures: ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsWalnut, Plywood
- Warren Platner Coffee Table for Knoll in Nickel with Glass TopBy Warren PlatnerLocated in Chicago, ILWarren Platner coffee table for Knoll. Nickel finish, glass top. 36" glass top x 15.25"H Base constructed of vertical steel rods welded to circular horizontal and edge-framing...Category
Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsNickel
- Set of 2 Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll International, blue upholsteryBy Warren PlatnerLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll International. Blue upholstery, nickel frame. Earlier editions. The Platner Collection (1966) reflects his belief that there’s room i...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNickel
- Hans Wegner Model Ry 100 Wall Unit / Room Divider Shelving with Drop Down DeskBy Hans J. Wegner, Ry MøblerLocated in Chicago, ILHans J Wegner RY 100 Room divider / wall unit Ry Møbler, Denmark circa 1965 Teak, plated steel, and aluminum. with manufacturer's labels This configuration features three adjustable shelves, a drop-down desk with cabinet...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Warren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or DeskBy Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthurLocated in Chicago, ILWarren McArthur for Warren McArthur Corporation Table or Desk from the Virginia State Library, Richmond V.A. Aluminum base, wood top with laminate surface Dimensions: 30¼"high 50½" w...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- Warren McArthur DeskBy Warren McArthurLocated in Brooklyn, NYBlack lacquered top and drawers in aluminium tube base, with aluminum handles. Original lacquer finish.Category
Vintage 1930s American Machine Age Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- Warren McArthur Rolling Bar Cart Rome Ny C, 1933/34By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthurLocated in Camden, MEA Warren McArthur modernist rolling bar cart manufactured during the first years Warren was located in Rome, New York. The Warren McArthur Corporation moved from Los Angeles to Rome, New York in January of 1933. The label ending in "PATS APPLIED FOR" identifies the bar as being manufactured in Rome between 1933/34. The use of square half inch tubing for the rails bordering the shelves and the staggered count of one, two or three tubes is a well considered contrast to the one inch round tubing that comprises the main body of the bar frame. The inch and half rectangular U tube that forms the foundation tube of the bar cart gives the necessary strength as well as a strong rectilinear visual that lends a visual balance with the half inch rectangular tubing. The spacing of the three half round shelves...Category
Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Dry Bars
MaterialsAluminum
- Donald Deskey Machine Age DeskBy Donald DeskeyLocated in New York, NYRare 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...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Desks
MaterialsCopper
- 1930s Wolfgang Hoffmann Desk for HowellBy Wolfgang HoffmannLocated in Oakland, CAWonderful 1930s desk designed by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell. Son of renowned designer and architect, Josef Hoffmann, Wolfgang was an important contributor to modernism in America. ...Category
Vintage 1930s American Bauhaus Desks
MaterialsEnamel, Steel, Chrome
- Large Freestanding Functionalist Desk, Jiri Kroha, 1930sLocated in Wien, ATThis unusually large freestanding functionalist desk was made in the 1930s in the former Czechoslovakia. Designed by Jiri Kroha (1893-1974), attributed. J. ...Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks
MaterialsAluminum
