Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

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 Espent Carpenter Three Leg Table Walnut Dining Table 1960

$14,400Sale Price|20% Off

Arthur Espent Carpenter Three Leg Table Walnut Dining Table 1960

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espent Carpenter Three Leg Table Walnut Dining Table 1960 California Craft Movement Walnut dining table by Arthur Espenet Carpenter. Features: -...

Category

1960s American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Unique Double-Trunk Table Desk

$92,400

Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Unique Double-Trunk Table Desk

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter, unique double-trunk table desk. This extraordinary table is unique to Espenet's work as it deviates from the traditional rectilinear form with its well-f...

Category

1980s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wrought Iron Coffee Table in Narra Wood 1960

$9,600Sale Price|20% Off

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wrought Iron Coffee Table in Narra Wood 1960

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wrought Iron Coffee Table in Narra Wood 1960 Great length for those long sofas, or used behind sofa as display platform Dimensions: 13¼″ H × 86″ W × 23″ D Si...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Table

$57,750

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Table

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur “Espenet” carpenter dining table, solid walnut hand carved details with 2 leaves [Signed ESPENET ‘70].

Category

1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table

$18,000

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional Table in solid birch trapezoidal top with turned oak legs that pierce the top and are exposed as a design detail. Signed on underside...

Category

1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Burl

Sublime Bookmatch Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff, c 1975

$29,500

H 29.5 in W 108 in D 38 in

Sublime Bookmatch Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff, c 1975

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff

Located in Atlanta, GA

This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. An excep...

Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Olive, Hardwood

Ramsey Travertine and Wrought Iron Coffee Table

$13,500

H 17 in W 40 in D 21 in

Ramsey Travertine and Wrought Iron Coffee Table

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

A Wrought Iron and Travertine table with a double layered top, the legs made of bent flat iron joined in the middle by a stretcher connected to a sphere. Original patina and gilt fin...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Travertine, Wrought Iron

Vintage French Wrought Iron Coffee Table

$5,200

H 16 in W 53 in D 37.5 in

Vintage French Wrought Iron Coffee Table

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1930s, French wrought iron coffee table with glass top. Original distressed painted finish. Measurements: Height:...

Category

1930s French Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Donald Deskey Style Round Three Tier Maple Occasional Table

$3,000

H 21.5 in Dm 24 in

Donald Deskey Style Round Three Tier Maple Occasional Table

By Donald Deskey

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Art Moderne GIlbert Rhode Style Round Maple Triple Tier Corner Table. Featuring a two layer solid staved Maple circular surface, two Maple shelves (7.5H between each level), with fo...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Maple

Lacquered Desk or Dining Table by Jacques Jarrige

$26,000

H 30 in W 69 in D 34 in

Lacquered Desk or Dining Table by Jacques Jarrige

By Jacques Jarrige

Located in New York, NY

Luca is an elegant and sculptural piece by Jacques Jarrige that functions equally well as a refined desk or a small dining table. Hand-carved and finished in lustrous lacquer, the pi...

Category

2010s French Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Scrap Wood

Coast Table, Minimalist Desk or Dining Table (51", 66")

$1,250 / item

H 30 in W 51 in D 28 in

Coast Table, Minimalist Desk or Dining Table (51", 66")

By Sun at Six

Located in San Jose, CA

The Coast Table was designed as a quiet, humble table, with beauty in the details. We aimed to emphasize the quality and character of the wood, and let the craftsmanship speak. It's ...

Category

2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Oak

Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich

$3,960Sale Price|40% Off

H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in

Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich

By Guglielmo Ulrich

Located in Munich, DE

Wonderful organic shaped walnut base and silvered glass top. I was not able to get a good picture of the top.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut

70's Tobacco Leaf Dining Table or Desk

$4,500

H 29.75 in W 77 in D 40 in

70's Tobacco Leaf Dining Table or Desk

By Milo Baughman, Aldo Tura

Located in Miami, FL

Textural, organic, and terribly chic. This 70's dining table or desk is sheathed in tobacco leaves and given a acrylic finish to complement its sleek simplicity.

Category

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

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Three-Tier Neoclassical Mahogany Occasional Table

$1,800

H 28 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in

Three-Tier Neoclassical Mahogany Occasional Table

Located in Dallas, TX

Mahogany occasional table. Neoclassical style with three shelves supported on brass columns with ball finials. On casters.

Category

20th Century Neoclassical Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Brass

1980's Solid Oak Oval Craftsman Extension Dining Table

$3,850

H 28.75 in W 78 in D 44 in

1980's Solid Oak Oval Craftsman Extension Dining Table

By Rainer Daumiller

Located in Las Vegas, NV

This beautiful, 1980's, oak oval extension dining table is a handmade masterpiece. I love the carved out detail in the legs and the variation of grain and color in all the planks of...

Category

Late 20th Century American Craftsman Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Oak

Solid Travertin Dining Table by Arthur Vallin

$47,151

H 29.53 in W 110.24 in D 49.22 in

Solid Travertin Dining Table by Arthur Vallin

Located in 1204, CH

The Chubby Collection is an ode to the Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero. Chubby borrows the roundness which becomes a sensual way to sculpt stone and give it an unique folded visual aspect. Each piece is hand-made and the stone is carefully selected to ensure the “fold” effect, a real sensation to have a folded piece of stone. Each elements of this console is carved in one single piece of Travertine Navona...

Category

2010s Italian Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Travertine

Vintage Marble Top Three Legged Side Table With Wood Base

$3,840

H 28.5 in W 28 in D 28 in

Vintage Marble Top Three Legged Side Table With Wood Base

Located in Locust Valley, NY

A gorgeous vintage side table with removable marble top with Serge Roche inspired carved detail.

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Marble

Previously Available Items

SHIPPING FOR Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut & Enameled Steel Dining Table

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H 28.5 in Dm 67 in

SHIPPING FOR Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut & Enameled Steel Dining Table

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This exquisite dining table (or monumental center table) by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, signed by the artist underneath: 'Espenet 8706', dating this work to 1987, features a monumental...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Steel

Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006) Solid Walnut and Bronze Custom Dining Table

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H 28.5 in W 95 in D 42 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006) Solid Walnut and Bronze Custom Dining Table

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Virginia Beach, VA

A custom solid walnut dining table by Master wood worker Arthur Espenet Carpenter. The boat shaped top with rounded edges sits atop a heavy cast bronze X - shaped base with a solid w...

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1967 Arthur Espenet Carpenter Black Walnut Dining Table

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H 29.25 in W 83.5 in D 42.5 in

1967 Arthur Espenet Carpenter Black Walnut Dining Table

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Oakland, CA

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Black Walnut Dining Table This exquisite dining table is characterized by its long rectangular top with gently curved side...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid Walnut

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H 15.5 in W 50 in D 24.5 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid Walnut

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Chicago, IL

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid Flamed Walnut

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut & Enameled Steel Dining Table, 1987, Signed

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H 28.5 in Dm 67 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut & Enameled Steel Dining Table, 1987, Signed

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This exquisite dining table (or monumental center table) by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, signed by the artist underneath: 'Espenet 8706', dating this work to 1987, features a monumental...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Steel

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut Table with Drawer

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H 21.5 in W 30 in D 23 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut Table with Drawer

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in San Mateo, CA

Side table in walnut by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, (1920-2006). This table has a single drawer below the top. The solid walnut sides and top are joined with dovetail joints. The runne...

Category

1970s American Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Table

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H 17.5 in W 28 in D 29 in

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Side Table

By Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A modernist side table in oak burl by Arthur Espenet Carpenter III.

Category

20th Century American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Oak

Arthur Espenet Carpenter tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter tables 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 tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by Arthur Espenet Carpenter were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by and Michael Coffey. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $92,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $24,250.

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