Warren McArthur Aluminum Card Table 30" Formica Top Double X Base c.1938

This compact Warren McArthur table, dating to circa 1938, exemplifies the designer’s unique fusion of industrial engineering and refined American modernism. At 30 x 30 inches with a height of 28 inches, it is ideally sized for use as a card table, writing desk, or small-format work table, making it one of the most versatile footprints in McArthur’s catalog.

The top is clad in original black Formica, a resilient and distinctly modern material that McArthur favored for its durability and clean, architectural presence. The multi-layer edge banding is beautifully expressed, catching light and echoing the stepped geometry found in his more elaborate designs.

Structurally, this table features the desirable double X-form cross supports, a configuration that adds both rigidity and sculptural clarity. The four legs are subtly splayed, giving the piece a poised stance and an unmistakable 1930s streamlined profile. Each leg terminates in the iconic rubber “donut” foot, a hallmark of late-1930s McArthur production and a detail that collectors prize for its authenticity and graphic punch.

Constructed from McArthur’s signature brushed aluminum tubing, the frame retains its soft, satin sheen with age-appropriate wear consistent with careful use. Lightweight yet remarkably strong, the table reflects the designer’s background in aviation engineering and his commitment to functional elegance.

A superb example of Machine Age American design, this piece integrates effortlessly into interiors ranging from Art Deco to contemporary minimalism, offering both historical significance and practical usability.