Found Warren MacArthur Chair

It is always fun to find something by a designer that you have not had before.  Lewis picked up a outdoor folding chair by Warren MacArthur.  It is in its original upholstery, which needs redoing, but considering that it is from the 1930's to 1940's it is in excellent shape. Lewis knew what he found, but alas I needed to be educated.

So after doing some studying here's what I found on Warren Macarthur.  He was born in Chicago 1885 to an affluent family.  His father was one of the first to have Frank Lloyd Wright to design a home for them, and to own a motor car.  He grew up a forward thinker.  He studied mechanical engineering at Cornell, where he graduated in 1908. He designed multiple lamps between 1911 and 1913.  He moved to California in 1929 to start a business designing metal furniture. His father encouraged and financially backed him. He came up with many innovative ideas concerning construction, lasting finishes, coloring aluminum, and outdoor fabrics. After his father/backer died he moved his company to Rome, New York.

While he was in Los Angeles he was highly accepted by the Hollywood Stars, many purchasing his furniture for their homes and patios.  This aided in boosting the popularity of his furniture.  We owe a lot to forward thinkers like Warren Macathur.

carla scarpa

Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978) studied architecture but never took the required pro forma professional exam.  Because of this he always work in conjunction with a certified architect. 

This vase is one like we sold this one sold at Phillip Du Pruy auction for 17,500 English Pounds

Scarpa taught drawing and Interior Decoration at the Istituto universitario di architettura di Venezia. He was a designer of Furniture and Glass (in Murano with Venini). He served as director of design for Venini from 1926-1947.


He designed the Brion-Vega Cemetery  as an extension to the family’s existing cemetery. He developed  geometric composition in concrete over a 10-year period completed in 1978 the year of his own death. As is suiting he is buried here in standing position in the manner of a  medieval knight.

The cemetery is in a L-shaped plot which comprises  a small chapel, the entrance hall, a small steel-and-wood pavilion on an island in the site’s water pond, the main tomb, and an open-air structure covering the graves.
the cemetery.  The island which the visitor cannot access seems to be a metaphor for the after life.Viewing this place is like no other.  It is both massive and majestic.

Mastercraft Furniture

Brass Cabinet 1970's Mastercraft  http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=465101

There are some American Furniture Companies that produced finely made furniture in the mid 20th century.  Mastercraft was one of these.  Recently we picked up several signature pieces by Mastercraft.  A set of 6 dining chairs and a round pedestal dining table that extends to almost banquet size. What impresses us is the quality of their workmanship.  

Stunning Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft coffee table clad in brass and Bernhard Rohne's acid etched banding. Beautiful high quality glass top.  http://lewistrimble.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_item_detail.php?id=548266

I decided to try to find out a little more about Mastercraft and their designers.  William Doezema (1917 - 2009) designed for Mastercraft, Grand Rapids.   He founded Mastercraft in 1946 with his brother Charles and sold it  in 1974 to Baker Furniture.  John Widdicomb,  and Bernhard Rohne are also among the designers used by the Mastercraft Company. 

burled wood cabinet  http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=349471

Bernhard Rohne was born in 1944 east of Hannover Germany.  He emigrated in 1967 to Vancouver, British Columbia,Canada where he currently resides.  He is a sculptor as well as a furniture designer. John Widdicomb came from a family well into the furniture making and design trade.  He founded his own company, but designed for Mastercraft as well.

Black Lacquered Credenza Mastercraft 1970's http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=460624

Mastercraft was known for their well designed and well crafted pieces using exotic woos such as Amboyna Burl,  Zebrano wood, as well as mahogany and native walnut often with incised brass details.  Designs by Rohne used  Acid-Etched brass detailing.

Four Mastercraft Chairs in Amboyna Burl http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=320128

After doing my research, I now realize why Lewis was excited to find several pieces by Mastercraft at one time.  Unfortunately, even though they were purchased by the Baker Company, who were at the time was one of the finest American Furniture Companies, there is nothing produced today that compares.