cross-formed joints.  

Hi bj(VL)
A cross shaped metal joint can have many variations, but I remember one that my father's workshop used to secure the assembly of windows (I guess hard wood windows were considered furnture making becaus it happened quite often). The primary use was not to have too many clamps tied up, so when the frames were clamped and the 90 degree angles measured (just by comparing the two diagonals)these cross shaped arrows would be hammered throught th assembly and the clamps would got to the next frame. As kids we used to build cross bows and these small steel arrows were our favorite amunition. The were about 2" long (5 cm) and one of the legs of the cross would rest in the groove of the bow. We were only allowed to shoot on targets but I remember that a good bow, laminated from oak (for strength) and ash (for flexibility), would shoot off an arrow like that in a pinewood plank and enter about 3/4" (just short of 2 cm)at 10 yards (9,5 meter) distance...but I guess that you are thinking about something different.
Een prettige dag verder

Thanks Koen,
Your story...
Thanks Koen,
Your story brings up memories of my own childhood..It's weird how ingenius children are when it comes to machines of 'destruction' 🙂
You are probably right about the technical execution of these joints. I was visiting a colleague of my girlfriend, who is renting a very typical 'fermette' but had a piece of furniture in his kitchen that caught my eye.
It's ebonised but clearly shows these joints on the top.
They are bigger than the ones used in windows or picture frames, more cast-iron. hey are remenicent of japanese furniture (or to me they are).
Bedankt alvast voor je bijdrage!
Groeten,
Regards,
Brecht-Jan

I hope
someone will be able to post a picture of one of these pieces of hardware. . .
Is it intended as a KD (knocked-down) or removable connector ?

I've tried to create an...
I've tried to create an impression of the thing.
Maybe this helps. The joint is hammered in (like a peg).
I have no images of the cupboard.

I've seen them before...
and I've had some of the tables. I don't recall, but it seems to me that the metal was not a functional part of the construction. More of a decorative element. I believe they are by American of Martinsville. They are well made and look similar to some Nelson designs. They are usually in walnut and often have a nickle silver drawer pull.
I currently have a pair of AoM end tables, but these don't have the silver X on the tops.

thanks pegboard!
would...
thanks pegboard!
would these have been exported to europe?

Maybe.
Or someone could have brought it over. American of Martinsville made (and I think still do) pretty good quality furniture for the contract and hospitality industry. You know, hotel and other heavy-use applications.
To my knowledge, they never used a name designer. The period stuff I've had or seen was rather derivative of the good designs of the day: Nelson, Florence Knoll... nothing to radical but nice clean-lined pretty simple and serviceable pieces.