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.
Color: Brown
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, 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
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
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, Stamped
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
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
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
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
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
Solid Travertin Dining Table by Arthur Vallin
Located in 1204, CH
The Chubby Collection is an ode to the Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero. Chubby borrows the roundness which becomes a sensual way to sculpt stone and give it an unique folded visual aspect.
Each piece is hand-made and the stone is carefully selected to ensure the “fold” effect, a real sensation to have a folded piece of stone. Each elements of this console is carved in one single piece of Travertine Navona...
Category
2010s Italian Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Joe Colombo Bar Stool, Italy 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Naples, IT
Bar stool with double-cylinder wooden frame covered in white with dark wood base and black faux leather seat. Designed by Joe Colombo.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather, Acrylic, Wood
Pair of Arthur Umanoff Bar Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Stamford, CT
The swinging 1960s! Two 1960s wrought iron stools by Arthur Umanoff, Rye and Gin with orange vinyl seats. Seat height is 29.5 inches.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
70's Tobacco Leaf Dining Table or Desk
By Milo Baughman, Aldo Tura
Located in Miami, FL
Textural, organic, and terribly chic. This 70's dining table or desk is sheathed in tobacco leaves and given a acrylic finish to complement its sleek simplicity.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Midcentury Brutalist Bar Stools, Set of 5, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Beautiful handmade midcentury tripod bar stools with a steel footrest.
Gorgeous wooden pattern.
Good original condition.
1960s - Spain
Dimensions:
Height: 87cm/34.25"
S...
Category
1960s Spanish Brutalist Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of vintage brutalist bar stools, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century brutalist bar stools with elegant backrests and leatherette seats.
Metal footrests.
1960s - Belgium
Dimensions:
Width: 30cm/11.81"
Depth...
Category
1960s Belgian Brutalist Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Brutalist Bar Stools, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Attractive hand crafted brutalist bar stools.
The stools are very sturdy and made from thick oak.
Good original condition.
1960s - Belgium...
Category
1960s Belgian Brutalist Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Oak
Carina Dining Table Made from Reclaimed Pine (custom)
By Ken Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This reclaimed pine dining table is seen here in 120" x "52 x "30, but it can be made in any size; we also offer an expandable version.
Because each table is bench-made in our own ...
Category
2010s American American Craftsman Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Reclaimed Wood
Unique Red Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table or Desk, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this large dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother of ...
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 32.29 in W 98.43 in D 45.28 in
Carpenter's Wooden Workbench, Italy, 1920
Located in Milan, IT
A carpenter's wooden workbench, perfect for a kitchen island table. Original patina, Italy, 1920.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Solid Teak Desk / Table, France 1960s
Located in Echt, NL
Rustic desk / table in very good original condition.
This desk / Table is made from rustic solid teak wood which has a stunning woodgrain and patina.
The sides are connected to the top with beautiful joints.
Its reduced shape creates a raw simplicity. It is minimalist and pure, avoiding any non-sense and almost has Japanese design character.
We offer a variety of insured shipping services, ask us for the possibilities and competitive pricing.
If you have any questions about our shipping options or this item please feel free to contact us.
The style reminds of the French designers Pierre Chapo...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Desk Conference Table, Leather, Chrome
By Richard Schultz, Nienkamper
Located in Miami, FL
Great leather top table with chrome base. Leather has a green brown color with a rich patina. Please see pictures. High-quality. Ready for a new home.
Category
1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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 Costa Mesa, 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 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
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 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.