Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

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 Armchairs

Materials

Teak

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 Armchairs

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...

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Maxwell Royal American High Back Arm Lounge Chair c 1950's

$1,200

H 50 in W 25 in D 20 in

Maxwell Royal American High Back Arm Lounge Chair c 1950's

By Maxwell Royal Chair Company

Located in New York, NY

Voguish, chic and stylish high back arm, lounge chair by The Maxwell Royal Chair Company. The chair features a sculptural exposed wood frame with upholstered back rest and seat cushi...

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

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin

$266,499

H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in

One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin

Located in London, GB

*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entire...

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19th Century Irish Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Yew

A Pair of Barrel-Back Arm chairs

$5,600Sale Price / set|28% Off

H 25.75 in W 35.5 in D 27.5 in

A Pair of Barrel-Back Arm chairs

Located in Chicago, IL

These petite Hungarian curved-back chairs are handsomely designed with a rounded silhouette and a rich, dark wood frame. It features a low, enveloping back and plush upholstery in a ...

Category

Late 20th Century Hungarian Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

A High Back Arm Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca Wool

$4,919

H 40.56 in W 31.5 in D 38.59 in

A High Back Arm Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca Wool

By Fritz Hansen, Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen, Mogens Lassen

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A modern 1940s style high backed armchair. Handcrafted beech frame, sprung seat and solid oak feet. Newly upholstered in a luxurious, soft, pure alpaca wool fabric. Handmade in E...

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2010s British Scandinavian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Alpaca, Beech, Oak

Curved Arm Club Chair, Upholstered in Pure Mohair

$6,013 / item

H 32.49 in W 32.29 in D 37.41 in

Curved Arm Club Chair, Upholstered in Pure Mohair

By Jules Leleu, Jacques Adnet, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

An elegant, luxurious and comfortable modern curved arm club chair / armchair. Beech frames, feather cushions and sprung seats. Newly upholstered in a premium olive / moss green, s...

Category

2010s British Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Mohair, Beech

High Back Arm Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca

$5,466 / item

H 40.56 in W 31.5 in D 38.59 in

High Back Arm Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca

By Mogens Lassen, Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A superb modern high back armchair. Handmade beech frames, sprung seat and solid oak feet. Newly upholstered in a luxurious, soft, pure alpaca wool fabric. Fast shipping worldwi...

Category

2010s British Scandinavian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Alpaca, Beech, Oak

Rare Pair of James Mont Style Bent Beech and Cane Arm Chairs

$4,600 / set

H 28 in W 22 in D 26 in

Rare Pair of James Mont Style Bent Beech and Cane Arm Chairs

Located in Atlanta, GA

A masterfully designed pair of bent beech wood chairs with hand caned back. In the James Mont designed King Cole Penthouse in Miami, Mont used this very cha...

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1960s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979

$78,000

H 39.25 in W 54 in D 32 in

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...

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1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Felt, Walnut

Pair of Curved Arm Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Mohair

$11,753 / set

H 32.49 in W 32.29 in D 37.41 in

Pair of Curved Arm Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Mohair

By Jacques Adnet, Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

An elegant, luxurious and comfortable pair of modern curved arm club chairs / armchairs. Beech frames, feather cushions and sprung seats. Newly upholstered in a premium golden brow...

Category

2010s British Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Mohair, Beech

Giorgio Collection Curve Back Ebony Macassar Occasional Arm Chair Beige Leather

$13,210

H 42.5 in W 28.5 in D 27 in

Giorgio Collection Curve Back Ebony Macassar Occasional Arm Chair Beige Leather

By Giorgio Collection

Located in New York, NY

Occasional oval chair in Ebony in high gloss polyester covered in high grade leather. Chrome steel feet. 28”½W x 27”D x 42”½H This item is only available...

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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Curved Arm Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Mohair

$12,026 / set

H 32.49 in W 32.29 in D 37.41 in

Pair of Curved Arm Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Mohair

By Jacques Adnet, Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Royère

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

An elegant, luxurious and comfortable pair of modern curved arm club chairs / armchairs. Beech frames, feather cushions and sprung seats. Newly upholstered in a premium olive / mos...

Category

2010s British Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs

Materials

Mohair, Beech

Previously Available Items

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 Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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 Armchairs

Arthur Espenet Carpenter armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs 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 armchairs by McGuire Furniture Company, Bernhardt, and Donghia. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $38,800 and can go as high as $95,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $66,900.