Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

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 Curved Back Arm Chair 1980c.

$16,000

Arthur Carpenter Espenet Curved Back Arm Chair 1980c.

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Carpenter Espenet Curved Back Arm Chair 1980c. A sculptural studio-crafted armchair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, executed circa 1980. Celebrated for his masterful joinery and ...

Category

1980s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Teak

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979

$78,000

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979, in American black walnut. Features:Inlay rosewood butterflies. Three pencil drawers lined in felt. Multiple drawer and puzzle storage bo...

Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Felt, Walnut

Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter

$38,800 / set

Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Atlanta, GA

A rare pair of wishbone armchairs studio made by Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006), Bolinas, CA. In grained walnut with visible dowel construction, a shaped back that continues in...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Walnut

Wishbone Dining Chair Set by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Shedua Wood, 1970s

$75,000 / set

Wishbone Dining Chair Set by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Shedua Wood, 1970s

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The Wishbone chair by California designer, Arthur Espenet, c.1970s, USA, is a masterclass in innovation, crafted from Shedua wood and a tan leather web seat. Moving away from traditi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

California Craft Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three Leg Counter Stool in Walnut

$16,000

California Craft Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three Leg Counter Stool in Walnut

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

California Craft Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three Leg Counter Stool in Walnut Features original woven leather slung seat with sculpted wood L-shape frame. The stool has a 360 degree sw...

Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, Stamped

$16,500

Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, Stamped

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Wargrave, Berkshire

Arthur Espenet Carpenter, California, USA, circa early 1970s "Wishbone" chair of African Hyedua and brown leather strapping. Stamped to the underside "Espenet", he chose not to sign ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather

1960s Bar Stool by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, American Craftsman

$15,210

1960s Bar Stool by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, American Craftsman

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Berlin, DE

Bar stool in Rawhide by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, 1960s. Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006) was an American furniture designer and craftsman. He was born in San Francisco, Californ...

Category

1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Signed Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rawhide Stool

$15,000

Signed Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rawhide Stool

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in New York, NY

Signed, Arthur Espenet carpenter (American, 1920-2006) Rare, Rawhide stool, circa 1972. Rawhide stool was made through a process known as bent lamination,” in which the seat frame an...

Category

1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Captains Chair. Red Lacquer, Black Leather. Signed.

$14,850

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Captains Chair. Red Lacquer, Black Leather. Signed.

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Kansas City, MO

Rare "Captains Chair" by Arthur Espenet Carpenter. Original red lacquered wood and black leather seat. Overall very good condition with areas of wear including where the legs meet ...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Unique Stool - Walnut and Steel (circa 1965)

$8,500

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Unique Stool - Walnut and Steel (circa 1965)

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Unique Stool - Walnut and Steel (circa 1965) This striking unique stool, designed by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, features a combination of welded wrought iron ...

Category

1960s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection

$1,550 / item

H 25 in Dm 15 in

Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

These walnut counter height cicely stools are beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted ...

Category

2010s American Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Walnut

Nautilus Shell Back Arm Lounge Chair

$575

H 34.5 in W 29.5 in D 22.5 in

Nautilus Shell Back Arm Lounge Chair

By Lloyd Loom

Located in New York, NY

Iron and wicker Nautilus Shell back lounge chair. This chair has a wicker wrapped iron frame, the wicker wrapping show some minor loss, and the...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of Four Rainer Daumiller Pine Wood Dining Chairs, 1970s

$2,922 / set

H 34.65 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in

Set of Four Rainer Daumiller Pine Wood Dining Chairs, 1970s

By Hirtshals Savvaerk, Rainer Daumiller

Located in Echt, NL

Set of four solid pine wood chairs in very good condition. Designed by Rainer Daumiller and manufactured by Hirtshals Savvaerk in the 1970s The chairs have a carved seat and backr...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Wood, Pine

Clarkester Counter Stool Walnut Black

$494 / item

H 40 in W 18 in D 18 in

Clarkester Counter Stool Walnut Black

Located in Cincinnati, US

A perfect mix of Scandinavian inspiration and industrial flare that cohesively come together to make a statement piece which embodies simplicity, functionality and elegance. The ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Steel

Beachcomber Counter Stool in Walnut

$1,100 / item

H 24 in Dm 15 in

Beachcomber Counter Stool in Walnut

By Greg Mitchell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Light and strong, the Beachcomber Counter Stool evokes the sight of an old wooden single hull; it's lean, sturdy mast together with the rigging worthy of the high seas. Constructed of hand shaped legs and stretchers, each piece is carefully fit and pinned with hardwood pegs and wedges to last for generations, much like the sea craft that inspire them. For every bar stool, we start with scrupulously chosen lumber; each board must consist of straight grain and have absolutely no defects. This is not just for aesthetics, the clear grain gives the stool its strength. The boards are then milled to dimension and shaped by hand using a combination of machines and time honored hand tools. They are then given a polish by taking thin shavings with well sharpened planes and spokeshaves; rarely is sandpaper used in our shop. Once assembled, the Beachcomber bar stool...

Category

2010s American Shaker Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Set of Six Midcentury Wishbone Chairs in Patinated Oak by Hans Wegner, 1960s

$9,000 / set

H 28.75 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in

Set of Six Midcentury Wishbone Chairs in Patinated Oak by Hans Wegner, 1960s

By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Lejre, DK

Set of six wishbone chairs in oak and paper cord designed by Hans J Wegner. Great original condition.

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Papercord, Oak

Tam Counter Stool 4 Legs, Tzalam Wood

$1,860 / item

H 25.6 in W 10.63 in D 14.97 in

Tam Counter Stool 4 Legs, Tzalam Wood

By Caterina Moretti

Located in Zapopan, Jalisco

The Tam family doesn't stop evolving, its 65 cm high version is now also available on four legs; detail that visually reinterprets the relationship between the organic shape of the seat, the cleanliness in the straight lines of different heights on the repos feet and the useless angle that separates the rear legs from the front ones, adding presence and elegance to our beloved classic. Material Tzalam...

Category

2010s Mexican Minimalist Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Solid Oak Brutalist Chairs by De Puyt, Belgium, 1970s

$3,220 / set

H 44.1 in W 16.15 in D 16.93 in

Set of 4 Solid Oak Brutalist Chairs by De Puyt, Belgium, 1970s

Located in Echt, NL

Very impressive sculptural chairs in very good condition. These chairs were made in the 1970s in Belgium by De Puyt. They are made of solid oak wood and con...

Category

20th Century Belgian Brutalist Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Wood, Oak

1970s Borge Mogensen Set of Six Model 3241 Dining Chairs in Oak

$2,982 / set

H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in

1970s Borge Mogensen Set of Six Model 3241 Dining Chairs in Oak

By Børge Mogensen, Frederecia Furniture

Located in Knebel, DK

Set of six model 3241 dining chairs in oak designed in 1968 by Børge Mogensen for Frederecia Stolefabrik. The chairs and upholstery are in very good condition.

Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Oak

Set of 6 Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Black Wire Dining Chairs, 1970s

$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 30.25 in W 21 in D 20.5 in

Set of 6 Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Black Wire Dining Chairs, 1970s

By Knoll, Harry Bertoia

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This set of six wire dining chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, represents one of the most iconic and enduring designs of mid-century modern furniture. Introduced in the ear...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Metal

Roberts Counter Stool Walnut Mustard

$483 / item

H 24 in W 17 in D 9 in

Roberts Counter Stool Walnut Mustard

Located in Cincinnati, US

This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Steel

Bertu Stools, Boca Modern Counter Stool, Walnut, Sheepskin, Wood

$2,250 / item

H 26 in W 14 in D 14 in

Bertu Stools, Boca Modern Counter Stool, Walnut, Sheepskin, Wood

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

1. Please scroll down to read IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OUR STUMPS before purchase! Why buy BERTU HOME stumps? KILN DRIED Our stumps all go through a drying process in our kiln...

Category

2010s American Organic Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Walnut

Previously Available Items

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Studio Craft Swivel Stool

Sold

H 44.5 in W 20 in D 17.5 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Studio Craft Swivel Stool

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Walnut studio craft swivel stool by California designer, Arthur Espenet Carpenter, circa 1970s. The stool features a woven leather slung seat with sculpted wood L-shape frame. The st...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone Chair

Sold

H 30.75 in W 21.75 in D 21.75 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone Chair

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone Chair, Walnut Frame with vellum sling seat. Carved signature and number to the underside of the chair ‘Espenet 8010 3 ...

Category

1980s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter 'Sedua Wishbone' Armchair

Sold

H 31 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter 'Sedua Wishbone' Armchair

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A 'Sedua Wishbone' armchair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, in walnut with leather straps, circa 1972. Stamped.

Category

Mid-20th Century Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Bench

Sold

H 16.75 in W 34 in D 19 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wood Bench

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920–2006) california craftsman wood bench. Signed "Espenet 69128" (made in 1969 and the 128th piece). We believe its eastern walnut...

Category

1960s Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Pair of Arthur Espenet Carpenter "Wishbone" Armchairs

Sold

H 32 in W 23 in D 20 in

Pair of Arthur Espenet Carpenter "Wishbone" Armchairs

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Pawtucket, RI

Finely detailed and rare pair of walnut "Wishbone" armchairs handcrafted by Northern California master craftsman Arthur "Espenet" Carpenter, circa 1999. Rarely seen matched pair of a...

Category

1990s American Organic Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Arthur Espenet Carpenter seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arthur Espenet Carpenter seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Arthur Espenet Carpenter were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by John and Elinor McGuire, Wicker Works, and John Saladino. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $14,244 and can go as high as $95,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $25,750.