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Warren McArthur Stainless Steel Sofa circa !936 Style No. 900AU

Creator: Warren McArthur
Offered by: Appleton

Description
This stainless steel sofa model Style No. 900 AU is illustrated in the Warren McArthur Corporation brochure Style Supplement Number 6.
A later Park Avenue Couch -Style No. 900BAU is illustrated on page 8 of the 1936 Warren McArthur Corporation catalog.
The difference between the two sofas' designs is that the 900AU has a a loose cushion back supported by a slatted back and the 900BAU has a fixed box spring back.
Warren McArthur's use of a slatted backs in his seating designs date back to the first seating designs he created in Los Angeles, CA. where he started the Warren McArthur Furniture Co. in 1930.

A photo shoot of a stainless steel awning frame for a terrace was the reason for the commission of this unique grouping of furniture. Union Carbide specified that the frames should be made from stainless steel instead of Warren McArthur's standard material anodized aluminum to emphasis the versatility of stainless steel.
. The assembly and installation of the awning along with a complete documentation of the Warren McArthur furnishings were presented in an article in Union Carbide's journal on stainless steel Electromet published in November, 1936.

A single installation view from the same photo session was used by the Warren McArthur Corporation as the frontice photo of an advertising pamphlet in 1936.
The McArthur pamphlet makes no mention of this unique use of stainless steel instead starts off with "SMART NEW WARREN MCARTHUR CREATIONS IN ANODIC ALUMINUM....VIRTUALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE AND UNTARNISHABLE..

The sofa is in good condition with noticeable wear to the upholstery which is probably 50-60 years old..
The frame shows wear consistent with age but no structural damage..

There were 15 pieces commissioned in stainless steel for this terrace :
A pair of "Light Lounge" chairs, a pair of Arizona Biltmore lounge chairs with a single ottoman, a pair of armchairs, a pair of smoking stands, a library table, a side table, and a nest of 3 oval tables.
A smoking stand from this grouping was gifted to the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	United States, New York
Period:	1920-1949
Materials:	stainless steel and upholstery
Condition:	Good. The stainless steel frame is in very good condition structurally all original, the stainless steel tubing could be cleaned and polished if so desired. The upholstery is 50 plus years old and is showing its age in places.
Creation Date:	1935/36
Styles / Movements:	Bauhaus, Art Deco, Mid Century
Incollect Reference #:	271097