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.
to
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
13
437
245
225
183
Creator: Arthur Espenet Carpenter
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
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
Related Items
Set of Six Oak "Wishbone" Chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of six oak and paper cord "Wishbone" chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son.
CH24 'Wishbone' chair designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949 and made in Denmark in 1965 by Carl Han...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Oak
$8,450 / set
H 28.5 in W 21.25 in D 20 in
Classic Hans J. Wegner "Wishbone" Oak Armchair for Carl Hansen & Søn
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Rush, Wood, Oak
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...
Category
19th Century Irish Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Yew
$273,545
H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in
Arthur Umanoff Style Vintage Basket Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Got conflicting information on this one.
1950s Danish or Arthur Umanoff (style?)
Either way, it's a badass accent chair.
Wicker basket seat with rattan arms and supports.
Minor areas...
Category
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Wicker
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...
Category
1960s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vintage armchair armchair 1960s Bovenkamp
By Arnold Madsen, Bovenkamp
Located in Lemmer, NL
Vintage armchair armchair 1960s Bovenkamp
Period 1960s
Design Henry Schubel & Arnold Madsen Bovenkamp Netherlands
Condition Excellent Minimal signs of wear
Size 86 x 66 x ...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Teak
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 Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$12,800 Sale Price
20% Off
H 44.5 in W 20 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Clarence Chairs by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
By Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Clarence Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier is a timeless piece inspired by the classic Napoleon III design. These side chairs are made to order, allowing customers to provide the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Napoleon III Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Linen
Wicker and Oak Armchairs in the Style of Hans J. Wegner Wishbone Chair Denmark
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Almelo, NL
Wicker and Oak Armchairs in the Style of Hans J. Wegner Wishbone Chair, Denmark, 1960s
A refined set of four Danish armchairs from the 1960s, crafted in the iconic style of Hans J. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Wicker, Oak
$4,731 / set
H 31.11 in W 21.66 in D 19.3 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...
Category
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Felt, Walnut
Pair of Hans Wegner Round Chairs
By Johannes Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Known simply as "The Chair," this iconic armchair was designed by famed Danish architect and furniture designer Hans Wegner in 1949. The patinated Danish oak frames have been careful...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Oak
Pair of Pierre Jeanneret Easy Chairs with Rare Stencil Marks
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Soho, London, GB
Pair of easy chairs from the administrative offices of Chandigarh (PJ-SI-29-A).
This pair presents two typical stencil marks that read "P.G.I. 149" and "P.G.I. 151".
The pair compr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Teak
$29,458 / set
H 28.94 in W 20.08 in D 23.63 in
Previously Available Items
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.