Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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 Carpenter Teak Bowl with Utensils, 1957

$4,500 / set

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teak Bowl with Utensils, 1957

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teak Bowl with Utensils, 1957 United States, circa 1950s A finely hand-turned teak bowl by renowned California woodworker Arthur Espenet Carpenter, accompani...

Category

1950s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Teak

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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Wood

Vintage Teak Hand Turned Decorative Bowl

$280

H 4.25 in Dm 15 in

Vintage Teak Hand Turned Decorative Bowl

By Jens Quistgaard

Located in Cedar Falls, IA

Awesome grain patterns in this vintage hand turned decorative teak bowl. Large format, 15x15x4.25 inches So much teak character

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Teak

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 ...

Category

1960s Haitian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Reed, Wood

Arthur Court Lucite Handkerchief Serving Bowl on Rabbit Footed Stand, Signed

$850

H 11 in Dm 14 in

Arthur Court Lucite Handkerchief Serving Bowl on Rabbit Footed Stand, Signed

By Arthur Court

Located in Kansas City, MO

Large Handkerchief serving bowl designed by Arthur Court. Lucite / Acrylic bowl on a tripod aluminum base of three rabbits holding the bowl in place. W...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Aluminum

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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Resin

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...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Resin

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...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Romantic Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Paper

Medium Bowl in Pink Marbled Resin by Paola Valle

$265 / item

H 4.73 in Dm 11.82 in

Medium Bowl in Pink Marbled Resin by Paola Valle

By Paola Valle

Located in Ciudad De México, MX

Our colorful bowl is handmade in traslucid white resin with marbled texture in pink and light pink. Its fun and colorful design makes it a statement piec...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Resin

Small Candy Bowl in White Resin by Paola Valle

$87 / item

H 2.17 in W 8.27 in D 3.94 in

Small Candy Bowl in White Resin by Paola Valle

By Paola Valle

Located in Ciudad De México, MX

Our Candy Bowl is handmade in traslucid white resin with marbled texture in white and pearl. It is cute and fun making it a statement piece that can be used to serve your favorite ca...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Resin

Dansk Divided Teak Bowl

$95

H 2 in Dm 8.75 in

Dansk Divided Teak Bowl

By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Vintage divided teak bowl by Dansk. Designer: Jens Quistgaard Manufacturer: Dansk Dimensions: 2" tall x 8.75: diameter.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Teak

Handcrafted Turned Oak Yakisugi Bowl

$411 / item

H 3.15 in Dm 11.82 in

Handcrafted Turned Oak Yakisugi Bowl

Located in London, GB

Fine traditionally hand-crafted and turned Oak half Yakisugi platter - bowl. These are handmade to the very best quality in London using traditional techniq...

Category

2010s English Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Oak

Handcrafted Turned Oak Japanese Yakisugi Bowl

$260

H 3.94 in Dm 10.63 in

Handcrafted Turned Oak Japanese Yakisugi Bowl

Located in London, GB

Organic and natural traditionally hand-crafted and turned Oak Japanese Yakisugi bowl. These are handmade to the very best quality in London using traditi...

Category

2010s English Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Oak

Large Henning Koppel Teak Wood Bowl

$2,800

H 8.25 in Dm 15 in

Large Henning Koppel Teak Wood Bowl

By Henning Koppel

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A large bowl in teak by Henning Koppel. Made in Denmark, retailed by George Jensen, includes original box when purchased, circa 1960s

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Previously Available Items

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Salt and Pepper Shaker in Walnut 1951

Sold

H 5.5 in Dm 2.25 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Salt and Pepper Shaker in Walnut 1951

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Salt and Pepper Shakers in Black Walnut, 1951 Signed "Espenet 1951 black walnut" A rare early work by celebrated American studio furniture maker Arthur Espen...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Walnut

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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Arthur Espenet Carpenter serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Bob Stocksdale, Saxbo, and Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM). Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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.