Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

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 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 Platters and Serveware

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 ...

Category

1960s Haitian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

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...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

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 Platters and Serveware

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 Platters and Serveware

Materials

Paper

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 Platters and Serveware

Materials

Resin

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 Platters and Serveware

Materials

Resin

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 Platters and Serveware

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 Platters and Serveware

Materials

Oak

Lulli Vide Poche in Iron Wood

$528

H 3.15 in W 9.85 in D 12.6 in

Lulli Vide Poche in Iron Wood

Located in Paris, FR

Vide Poche by Lulli : A vide poche in ebony wood. Measures: 32 cm x 25 cm x 8 cm 12.6" x 9.84" x 3.5".

Category

2010s French Other Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Spanish 17th Century Ceramic Circular Charger Plate, Talavera or Puente

$2,043

H 2.56 in W 15.56 in D 15.56 in

Spanish 17th Century Ceramic Circular Charger Plate, Talavera or Puente

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish Faience charger with floral motifs. Talavera de la Reina-Puente del Arzobispo, Toledo. Spain, late 17th century. Hand painted in ochre, yellow, brown and blue with a central...

Category

Late 17th Century Spanish Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica

Handcrafted Turned London Plane Bowl

$164

H 2.76 in Dm 7.88 in

Handcrafted Turned London Plane Bowl

Located in London, GB

Fine traditionally hand-crafted and turned London Plane tree bowl. These are handmade to the very best quality in London using traditional techniques. Fi...

Category

2010s English Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

Materials

Hardwood

Medium Bowl in Green Marbled Resin by Paola Valle

$265 / item

H 4.73 in Dm 11.82 in

Medium Bowl in Green 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 int three shades of green. Its fun and colorful design makes it a statement piece and can be used as decor...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Platters and Serveware

Materials

Resin

Arthur Espenet Carpenter platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter platters and serveware 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 platters and serveware by Mathieu Matégot, Pol Chambost, and Albert Thiry. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter platters and serveware 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.