Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

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.

Creator: Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Arthur Espenet Wooden Box 1961

$3,600Sale Price|20% Off

Arthur Espenet Wooden Box 1961

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Exotic Walnut Box, 1961 A finely crafted wooden box by celebrated California studio furniture maker Arthur Espenet Carpenter, dated 1961. Made from richly fi...

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1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rosewood Tissue Box 1965c.

$3,800

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rosewood Tissue Box 1965c.

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rosewood Tissue Box (circa 1965) This elegant rectangular tissue box exemplifies Arthur Espenet Carpenter’s mid-century modern vision. Carpenter was a self-t...

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1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Block, Solid Alternating Walnut and Mahogany

$3,040Sale Price|20% Off

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Block, Solid Alternating Walnut and Mahogany

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Block or Decorative Tray 1960's Handmade at the Espenet studio in Bolinas, California, this striking object is crafted from alternating strips of solid ...

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1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Turned Charger in Primavera, 1956

$3,600

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

White Onyx Rectangular Tissue Box

$270

H 3.55 in W 9.85 in D 5.32 in

White Onyx Rectangular Tissue Box

Located in Prague, Czech Republic.

Crafted entirely by hand, this onyx tissue box cover is a fusion of form and function, seamlessly blending into any space while adding sophistication and elegance. Clean, minimalist ...

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2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx

Sand Marble Square Tissue Box

$234

H 5.52 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in

Sand Marble Square Tissue Box

Located in Prague, Czech Republic.

Crafted entirely by hand, this marble tissue box cover is a fusion of form and function, seamlessly blending into any space while adding sophistication and elegance. Clean, minimalis...

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2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Incense Holder Modern Walnut Wood and Antiqued Bronze Casting

$370 / item

H 2.5 in W 12 in D 3 in

Incense Holder Modern Walnut Wood and Antiqued Bronze Casting

By Alabama Sawyer

Located in Birmingham, AL

These beautiful incense holders pay homage to wood as a material and an icon. They are made from cast bronze and urban wood. Walnut, elm or our "gulf sand" light give choices of dark...

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2010s American Organic Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage wooden Trinket Jewelry Box

$79

H 3.5 in W 8 in D 6.5 in

Vintage wooden Trinket Jewelry Box

Located in Seattle, WA

This Vintage wooden box possibly oak is perfect for trinkets or Jewelry. It has slidable and removable compartments. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Condition as p...

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1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor

$325

H 0.75 in W 13 in D 11.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in San Jose, CA

Vintage serving platter tray designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor, circa 1960's. This solid piece is made out of Taverneau wood and features ...

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1960s Haitian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Reed, Wood

Bubble Bowl in Marbled Navy Blue Resin by Paola Valle

$340 / item

H 3.55 in Dm 11.82 in

Bubble Bowl in Marbled Navy Blue Resin by Paola Valle

By Paola Valle

Located in Ciudad De México, MX

Our Bubble Bowl is handmade in navy blue & white marbled resin. Its modern, fun and unique design makes it a statement piece and can be used as decor or as a fruit platter. Designed...

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2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Bubble Bowl in Light Pink Resin by Paola Valle

$340 / item

H 3.55 in Dm 11.82 in

Bubble Bowl in Light Pink Resin by Paola Valle

By Paola Valle

Located in Ciudad De México, MX

Our Bubble Bowl is handmade in marbled light pink resin. Its modern, fun and unique design makes it a statement piece and can be used as decor or as a fruit platter. Designed by Pao...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover

$450 / item

H 5.75 in W 6 in D 6 in

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover

Located in Sheffield, MA

Add style and the finishing touch to your countertop or nightstand with this antiqued gold toned top and grey ribbed metal body tissue box cover to pr...

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21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass

$172Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 3.15 in W 1.58 in D 1.97 in

Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass

By Ghidini 1961, Nika Zupanc

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.

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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Vintage Wooden Trinket Box

$50

H 2.25 in W 5.25 in D 3.75 in

Vintage Wooden Trinket Box

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Small Walnut trinket box lined with felt. Original felt on the bottom. Shown with life size hand model for scale. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1970. ...

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Early 20th Century North American Industrial Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Felt, Wood

Michael Elkan Burled Wood Box

$650

H 2.5 in W 9 in D 6.5 in

Michael Elkan Burled Wood Box

By Michael Elkan

Located in Highland, IN

This lovely trinket box in Oregon bird’s-eye maple burl by Silverton, OR woodworker Michael Elkan has a beautiful, rich color and texture. Handcrafted from a single piece of wood, th...

Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Burl

Serving Tray, 19th Century English in Papier Mâché

$1,240

H 1 in W 32 in D 25 in

Serving Tray, 19th Century English in Papier Mâché

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century English papier mâché serving tray with an exquisitely hand painted scene of a stylized bird, floral bouquet and rococo bordering with lacquered finish. Perfect for servi...

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Mid-19th Century English Romantic Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper

Previously Available Items

Rare Arthur Espenet Carpenter Turned Teak Bowl American Studio Craft

Sold

H 4.94 in Dm 11.82 in

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Arthur "Espenet" Carpenter Wine Rack

Sold

H 17 in W 12 in D 8 in

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 Decorative Objects

Arthur Espenet Carpenter decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Söwe Konst, Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, and Guido Gambone. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $3,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,600.