Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

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

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

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 Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak

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

$2,911 / set

H 34.65 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in

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

By Rainer Daumiller, Hirtshals Savvaerk

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Pine

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

$3,209 / 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 Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Oak

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

$2,971 / 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 Side Chairs

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 Harry Bertoia, Knoll

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Arthur Carpenter Espenet Curved Back Arm Chair 1980c.

$16,000

H 25.75 in W 24.5 in D 20 in

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Set of 4 Fine 1950s Dining Chairs

$9,200 / set

H 32.88 in W 19.69 in D 22.25 in

Set of 4 Fine 1950s Dining Chairs

By Ateliers Saint Sabin

Located in Long Island City, NY

A set of four fine French mid-century "compass / gondola" solid beech side chairs.

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Beech

Set of Six Stainless Postmodern Dining Chairs by Arthur Umanoff in Art Deco Form

$2,900 / set

H 40 in W 26 in D 25 in

Set of Six Stainless Postmodern Dining Chairs by Arthur Umanoff in Art Deco Form

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A matching set of six armchair dining chairs made by Arthur Umanoff. They feature stainless & aluminum construction with naugahyde covered padded seat cushions. Clean & ready to use ...

Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs

$13,500 / set

H 35.04 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in

Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs

Located in Long Island City, NY

A set of six fine French Mid-Century solid cherry side chairs

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Set of Eight Newly Upholstered Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb

$12,000 / set

H 39 in W 18 in D 23 in

Set of Eight Newly Upholstered Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb

By John Widdicomb

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very nice set of eight 8 dining room chairs by John Widdicomb.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979

$62,400Sale Price|20% Off

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...

Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

Materials

Felt, Walnut

Set of Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1953

$18,500

H 32 in W 23 in D 20 in

Set of Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1953

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A set of dining chairs with exposed walnut frames supporting floating laminated seats and sculptural back rests, both covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1953 as a component o...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Previously Available Items

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter side chairs 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 side chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $14,500 and can go as high as $35,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $24,750.