Mid Century Furniture and Family History
Between 1959 and 1974, a series of furniture companies quietly came into being across America and Europe.
Their designs were striking, evoking Scandinavian and Bauhaus influences. They won multiple awards, contracts, and were a successful feature of the Mid Century furniture landscape.
And then, they vanished.
But now, the history of Duncan and Maurice Burke, their Designs, and
Companies, are compiled for the first time in one place.
- Welcome to The Arkana Archive -
Burke Family Companies
Burke Inc. (1959 - 1963)
Maurice’s first successful solo venture, Burke Inc. quickly became a leading player in the North American furniture market. Many of Maurice’s best designs started here, including the prolific Star Collection.
Arkana (1963 - 1974)
After relocating to Europe, Arkana became the epicenter of the Burke’s design efforts, featuring refined Star and Chelsea ranges from Maurice, and with Duncan joining in 1970 to premiere his own iconic
Orbita Collection.
Macrima (1973 - 1974)
Tragically short lived, Macrima was forced to close amid the OPEC crisis of 1973. However, limited runs of Duncan’s Series 21 Stool, and Maurice’s final Mushroom iteration make it a hidden gem worth exploring.
Explore the Burke Family’s Designs
The Burke Designers
Born in rural Saskatchewan in the tumult of post Great War Canada, and the lone survivor of 6 boys, Maurice Burke worked as a CN Rail secretary in Montreal before joining the Canadian Army for World War 2.
After returning from Europe with his new wife, and stopping in Toronto long enough to give birth to their first son Duncan, the family relocated to California.
And from there the Burke furniture journey began.
Contact us.
Arkana Archive is a documentary site for the Burke family’s design work. It is managed by the Burkes themselves, with Duncan’s son Declan as main web manager, designer, and archivist.
We’re always looking for more material to make this site as comprehensive and accurate as possible. As such, visitor feedback is crucial.
If you’d like to share any information, or media of your own pieces of Burke family furniture, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
-Declan Burke