Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

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

$4,500

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 Boxes

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...

Category

1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Block, Solid Alternating Walnut and Mahogany

$3,800

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 ...

Category

1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

White Onyx Rectangular Tissue Box

$189Sale Price|30% Off

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 ...

Category

2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Onyx

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 Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Sand Marble Square Tissue Box

$164Sale Price|30% Off

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...

Category

2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

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. ...

Category

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

Materials

Felt, Wood

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Black & White Marble Square Tissue Box

$164Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 5.52 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in

Black & White 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...

Category

2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

Green Guatemala Marble Square Tissue Box

$164Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 5.52 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in

Green Guatemala 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...

Category

2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

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 Nika Zupanc, Ghidini 1961

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Burl

Pink Marble Square Tissue Box

$164Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 5.52 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in

Pink 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...

Category

2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

Coral Marble Square Tissue Box

$164Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 5.52 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in

Coral 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...

Category

2010s European Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

Arthur Espenet Carpenter decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter decorative boxes are available for sale on 1stDibs.

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