Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

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 Carpenter Espenet King-Sized Oiled Walnut Headboard 1972

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Carpenter Espenet King-Sized Oiled Walnut Headboard: California Craft Movement, Documented with Espenet Studio records copy as #7267 Bed which translates to the 67th piece mad...

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1980s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Carpenter Espenet King-Sized Oiled Walnut Headboard 1972

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern King Size Walnut Headboard

H 37 in W 79.5 in D 2 in

Brass King-Size Headboard by Mastercraft

By Mastercraft, Karl Springer

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A beautifully designed brass headboard produced by Mastercraft in Italy. It features heavy brass construction, Greek key design and spindles.

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1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Brass King-Size Headboard by Mastercraft

H 50 in W 83 in D 1 in

Beautiful walnut sculpted cane King size bed headboard by Tomlinson

By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful walnut sculpted cane King size bed headboard. Arched top with sculpted walnut structure with caning through out. Very stunning King size headboard. Made by Tomlinson. Made ...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Beautiful walnut sculpted cane King size bed headboard by Tomlinson

H 40 in W 80 in D 3 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sculpted King Size Bed / Headboard

Located in Wilmington, DE

Mid-Century Danish Modern walnut full size headboard. Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut sculpted king size bed/headboard. Looks to be walnut, featuring signature scul...

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1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

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Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sculpted King Size Bed / Headboard

H 39.5 in W 82 in D 1.5 in

Brass King Size Headboard

By Mastercraft

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Large king size headboard with lattice design. Polished brass bars intersect with brass rods. Please confirm location NY or NJ

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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Brass King Size Headboard

H 38.75 in W 80 in D 2 in

Hollywood Regency King Size Headboard

Located in Highland, IN

This glamorous king size headboard has tall "spires" on either end which can be installed or not depending on the desired aesthetic. 60.5"h (38"h without spires) X 78"w X 2"d

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1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Hollywood Regency King Size Headboard

H 60.5 in W 78 in D 2 in

Mid-Century Modern Lane King Size Walnut Headboard

By Lane Furniture

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Lane King Size Walnut Headboard. Featuring a straight line brutalist design, setup to take a king size metal frame, and a beautiful walnut fi...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Lane King Size Walnut Headboard

H 38 in W 81 in D 2 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Cane King Size Headboard

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Cane King Size Headboard. Featuring a straight line design, walnut frame, four reversible cane panels, and a beautiful walnut finish...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Cane King Size Headboard

H 38 in W 115 in D 2 in

Falster Møbelfabrik King Size Headboard

By Falster Møbelfabrik

Located in Highland, IN

This big king-size Danish modern headboard by Falster Møbelfabrik combines subtle design, excellent craftsmanship, and beautifully figured wood...

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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Falster Møbelfabrik King Size Headboard

H 32 in W 84 in D 1.25 in

Magnificent Nakashima Style Walnut King-Size Headboard Mid-Century Modern

By George Nakashima

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Super gorgeous Nakashima style walnut king-size headboard. This amazing piece is in fabulous vintage condition. It measures 39.5" T x 107.5" L x 3" D . The legs have an extra wide pa...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Magnificent Nakashima Style Walnut King-Size Headboard Mid-Century Modern

H 39 in W 107.5 in D 3 in

King size walnut and rosewood headboard C 1960.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

King size walnut and rosewood headboard C 1960.

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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

King size walnut and rosewood headboard C 1960.

H 32.25 in W 79.75 in D 1 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard. Featuring a straight line design, trim accents on each side, beautiful walnut grain throughout the headboard, and...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard

H 37 in W 78.5 in D 2 in

Previously Available Items

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 More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Teak

Rare Arthur Espenet Carpenter Turned Teak Bowl American Studio Craft

H 4.94 in Dm 11.82 in