Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

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 Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

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 Serving Bowls

Materials

Aluminum

Dansk Divided Teak Bowl

$95

H 2 in Dm 8.75 in

Dansk Divided Teak Bowl

By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard

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 Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Danish Teak Bowl by Frantz V. Lyngby

$290

H 4 in Dm 8 in

Danish Teak Bowl by Frantz V. Lyngby

By Frantz Industries

Located in Fraser, MI

Teak Bowl. Marked: Frantz V. Danmark.

Category

1960s Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Vintage Teak Milan Style Carved Bowl

$270

H 1.5 in W 6.5 in D 17 in

Vintage Teak Milan Style Carved Bowl

By Emil Milan

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Hand-carved teak leaf-shaped bowl with sculptural stem handle and rich visible grain, mid-century modern style of Emil Milan

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Turned Charger in Primavera, 1956

$3,600

H 1 in Dm 18 in

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 Serving Bowls

Materials

Wood

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 Serving Bowls

Danish Staved Teak Bowl

$300Sale Price|20% Off

H 5.75 in Dm 12 in

Danish Staved Teak Bowl

Located in San Diego, CA

Well crafted Danish staved teak bowl, circa 1960s. The bowl is in excellent condition and is 10" in diameter.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Wood Turned Bowl with Utensils

$1,800 / set

H 5 in Dm 11.25 in

Wood Turned Bowl with Utensils

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Teak wood turned bowl with utensils. This vintage piece has been exceptionally maintained, as the teak has aged to perfection. Dimensions Bowl: 11.25" ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern solid Teak Bowl With Lid By Mandalay Genuine Teak

$260Sale Price|20% Off

H 3.5 in Dm 10.5 in

Danish Modern solid Teak Bowl With Lid By Mandalay Genuine Teak

By Mandalay Genuine Teak

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful solid teak salad Bowl with lid for multiple uses, salad or tortilla to keep it warm with lid, incredible craftsmanship.

Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Ernst Henriksen Teak Bowl, circa 1950s

$1,250

H 7.75 in W 9.75 in D 9.25 in

Ernst Henriksen Teak Bowl, circa 1950s

By Ernst Henriksen

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A beautiful teak bowl, by Ernst Henriksen, Denmark, circa 1950s. Great patina and warm tone.

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Danish Midcentury Teak Bowl by Nissen, 1960s

$320

H 4.93 in Dm 11.03 in

Danish Midcentury Teak Bowl by Nissen, 1960s

By Richard Nissen, Nissen

Located in Asaa, DK

Danish midcentury teak bowl by Nissen, 1960s. Large round bowl in solid staved teak made by Danish manufacturer Richard Nissen in Denmark. Beautiful shape and patina.

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Sculptural Teak Bowl, 1961s

$640

H 2.56 in W 13 in D 3.15 in

Sculptural Teak Bowl, 1961s

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

This sculptural teak bowl, signed “A. P 61” presents an organic and flowing form that embodies the natural beauty of Scandinavian woodcraft from the early 1960s. The elongated, asymm...

Category

1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serving Bowls

Materials

Teak

Arthur Espenet Carpenter serving bowls for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter serving bowls are available for sale on 1stDibs.

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