Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
The San Francisco area woodworker Arthur Espenet Carpenter was one of the most celebrated figures in the postwar American Studio Furniture movement. Like George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, Wendell Castle and other craftsmen of the era, Carpenter built furniture both as a means of creative expression and for the simple personal fulfillment of making a thing well. The excellence of their work stood in high relief against the mass-produced goods made of synthetic materials that became prevalent in the mid-20th century. Born in New York City during the Jazz Age, Carpenter earned a degree in economics from Dartmouth College and initially intended to become an accountant, like his father. But after serving four years in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II, Carpenter had a change of heart about entering the business world. Back in New York, he became an Asian-arts dealer but finally found a true sense of direction when visiting the “Good Design” shows held in that era at the Museum of Modern Art. Carpenter was particularly taken with the hand-turned wooden bowls by James Prestini and decided he wanted to make objects himself. To get far from New York, he drove to San Francisco at age 28, bought a lathe and, with the help of a G.I. Bill small-business stipend, opened a woodworking shop in the Mission District. Carpenter started out making bowls, sold through local high-end retailers such as Geary’s. His skills improved, and within a few years Carpenter had moved to the coastal town of Bolinas, California, where he built furniture on commission. His national reputation was sealed when in 1972 — somewhat to Carpenter’s own surprise — his designs were shown by the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in the exhibition “Woodworks,” alongside those of Nakashima, Maloof, Castle and the Philadelphia-area craftsman Wharton Esherick. Carpenter defined a new design aesthetic now known as the “California roundover” — a style characterized by flowing lines and gently-contoured edges that make wood feel almost supple to the touch. The graceful and comfortable Wishbone chair, so named for the tapered supports that form its legs, is Carpenter’s signature design. The chairs, typically made of black walnut, are usually priced in the range of $20,000 a piece. Because of its simplicity and economy of materials, Carpenter’s furniture works well in any informal, unfussy decor — though it is particularly striking in a modern environment. As you will see on these pages, the work of Arthur Espenet Carpenter is both friendly and exquisite. The quality of its craftsmanship is impeccable, and it exudes the gentle warmth of the lovingly handmade object.
17
to
1
15
2
17
17
17
3
2
17
5
12
1
1
6
6
15
9
6
6
1
15
15
7
5,736
3,954
2,486
2,349
Creator: Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut & Enameled Steel Dining Table, 1987, Signed
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite dining table (or monumental center table) by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, signed by the artist underneath: 'Espenet 8706', dating this work to 1987, features a monumental...
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Steel
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid Walnut
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid Flamed Walnut
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, Stamped
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, California, USA, circa early 1970s "Wishbone" chair of African Hyedua and brown leather strapping. Stamped to the underside "Espenet", he chose not to sign ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather
Bar Stool by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, USA, 1960s
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Berlin, DE
Bar stool in Rawhide by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, 1960s. Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006) was an American furniture designer and craftsman. He was born in San Francisco, Californ...
Category
1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
California Craft Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three Leg Counter Stool in Walnut
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
California Craft Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three Leg Counter Stool in Walnut Features original woven leather slung seat with sculpted wood L-shape frame. The stool has a 360 degree sw...
Category
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Arthur Carpenter Espenet King-Sized Oiled Walnut Headboard 1972
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Carpenter Espenet King-Sized Oiled Walnut Headboard:
California Craft Movement, Documented with Espenet Studio records copy as #7267 Bed which translates to the 67th piece mad...
Category
1980s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1967 Arthur Espenet Carpenter Black Walnut Dining Table
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Oakland, CA
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Black Walnut Dining Table
This exquisite dining table is characterized by its long rectangular top with gently curved side...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Captains Chair. Red Lacquer, Black Leather. Signed.
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare "Captains Chair" by Arthur Espenet Carpenter. Original red lacquered wood and black leather seat. Overall very good condition with areas of wear including where the legs meet ...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone Chair
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone Chair, Walnut Frame with vellum sling seat.
Carved signature and number to the underside of the chair ‘Espenet 8010 3 ...
Category
1980s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979, in American black walnut. Features:Inlay rosewood butterflies.
Three pencil drawers lined in felt. Multiple drawer and puzzle storage bo...
Category
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Felt, Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table in solid birch trapezoidal top with turned oak legs that pierce the top and are exposed as a design detail.
Signed on underside...
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Burl
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Turned Charger in Primavera, 1956
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Arthur Espenet Carpenter turned charger in Primavera wood with brass inserts. Signed and dated 1956.
Category
1950s Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Wood
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Unique Double-Trunk Table Desk
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, unique double-trunk table desk.
This extraordinary table is unique to Espenet's work as it deviates from the traditional rectilinear form with its well-f...
Category
1980s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Table
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Chicago, IL
Arthur “Espenet” carpenter dining table, solid walnut hand carved details with 2 leaves
[Signed ESPENET ‘70].
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare pair of wishbone armchairs studio made by Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006), Bolinas, CA. In grained walnut with visible dowel construction, a shaped back that continues in...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Signed Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rawhide Stool
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in New York, NY
Signed, Arthur Espenet carpenter (American, 1920-2006)
Rare, Rawhide stool, circa 1972. Rawhide stool was made through a process known as bent lamination,” in which the seat frame an...
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Arthur Espenet Carpenter 'Sedua Wishbone' Armchair
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 'Sedua Wishbone' armchair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, in walnut with leather straps, circa 1972. Stamped.
Category
Mid-20th Century Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Related Items
Midcentury King Size Lane Walnut and Rosewood Headboard
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern two-tone headboard is made of walnut and rosewood. An impressive king size headboard that is 81 inches wide with vertical louvered designs on the sides....
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Beachcomber Counter Stool in Walnut
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Light and strong, the Beachcomber Counter Stool evokes the sight of an old wooden single hull; it's lean, sturdy mast together with the rigging worthy of the high seas. Constructed of hand shaped legs and stretchers, each piece is carefully fit and pinned with hardwood pegs and wedges to last for generations, much like the sea craft that inspire them.
For every bar stool, we start with scrupulously chosen lumber; each board must consist of straight grain and have absolutely no defects. This is not just for aesthetics, the clear grain gives the stool its strength. The boards are then milled to dimension and shaped by hand using a combination of machines and time honored hand tools. They are then given a polish by taking thin shavings with well sharpened planes and spokeshaves; rarely is sandpaper used in our shop. Once assembled, the Beachcomber bar stool...
Category
2010s American Shaker Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Baker Furniture Neoclassical Style Walnut King Size Headboard
Located in Germantown, MD
Baker furniture neoclassical style walnut king size headboard measuring 80" in width and standing 43" tall. Great vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
These walnut counter height cicely stools are beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted ...
Category
2010s American Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern King Size Walnut Headboard
Located in Charleston, SC
Here we have a richly grained walnut king size headboard with 4 inverted slats. A fabulous modern shape and very much in the style of Kent Coffey.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Brass King-Size Headboard by Mastercraft
By Karl Springer, Mastercraft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautifully designed brass headboard produced by Mastercraft in Italy. It features heavy brass construction, Greek key design and spindles.
Category
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sculpted King Size Bed / Headboard
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish Modern walnut full size headboard.
Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut sculpted king size bed/headboard. Looks to be walnut, featuring signature scul...
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Italian Gilt King Size Headboard
By Niccolini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Glamorous gilt metal headboard, Italian, circa 1950s. It retains its original gilt finish with a wonderful patina with some overall wear to the gold l...
Category
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Metal
Tam Counter Stool 4 Legs, Tzalam Wood
By Caterina Moretti
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
The Tam family doesn't stop evolving, its 65 cm high version is now also available on four legs; detail that visually reinterprets the relationship between the organic shape of the seat, the cleanliness in the straight lines of different heights on the repos feet and the useless angle that separates the rear legs from the front ones, adding presence and elegance to our beloved classic.
Material
Tzalam...
Category
2010s Mexican Minimalist Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Wood
Brutalist King Size Walnut Headboard
By Paul Evans
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Brutalist design walnut king head board
Stunning Paul Evans style king headboard that’s in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear.
Dimensions:
82” x 40” x 3” H
18” headbo...
Category
1970s Unknown Brutalist Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
King Size Carved Mahogany Headboard
Located in Toledo, OH
King Size Carved Mahogany Headboard. circa 19th century. Louis XVI Style. Mahogany carved frame with fluted pillars and pineapple finials. Em...
Category
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
American Mid Century Walnut & Rosewood King Size Headboard
By Lane Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Elevate your bedroom to new heights of elegance with this rare and exquisite American Mid-Century Walnut Headboard, featuring striking rosewood inserts, crafted by Lane Furniture cir...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Previously Available Items
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Studio Craft Swivel Stool
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut studio craft swivel stool by California designer, Arthur Espenet Carpenter, circa 1970s. The stool features a woven leather slung seat with sculpted wood L-shape frame. The st...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Carved Walnut & Brass Wine Rack, circa 1967
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Arthur Espenet Carpenter carved walnut & brass wine rack. circa 1967.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Brass
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut Table with Drawer
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in San Mateo, CA
Side table in walnut by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, (1920-2006). This table has a single drawer below the top. The solid walnut sides and top are joined with dovetail joints. The runne...
Category
1970s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Table
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A modernist side table in oak burl by Arthur Espenet Carpenter III.
Category
20th Century American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Oak
Arthur Espenet Chest of Drawers
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An important studio chest of drawers/dresser by Arthur Espenet Carpenter featuring exaggerated dovetailing and striking vertical drawer pulls. Note the chamfer details. It’s signe...
Category
1980s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Bench
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920–2006) california craftsman wood bench. Signed "Espenet 69128" (made in 1969 and the 128th piece). We believe its eastern walnut...
Category
1960s Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Rare Arthur Espenet Carpenter Turned Teak Bowl American Studio Craft
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Large turned wood centerpiece bowl. Signed.
P.915
Espenet,
Siamese teak.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Teak
Pair of Arthur Espenet Carpenter "Wishbone" Armchairs
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Finely detailed and rare pair of walnut "Wishbone" armchairs handcrafted by Northern California master craftsman Arthur "Espenet" Carpenter, circa 1999. Rarely seen matched pair of a...
Category
1990s American Organic Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Arthur "Espenet" Carpenter Wine Rack
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in San Diego, CA
Carved walnut and brass six bottle wine rack by Arthur "Espenet" Carpenter. Piece is hand signed "Espenet 67."
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Arthur Espenet Carpenter furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Arthur Espenet Carpenter furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arthur Espenet Carpenter furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Arthur Espenet Carpenter were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by David Ebner, and Wharton Esherick. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $95,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $18,000.