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 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, 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

$12,000

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 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

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

Italy 18th Century Baroque Walnut Organic Shape Table Desk

$15,796

H 31.89 in W 69.69 in D 36.23 in

Italy 18th Century Baroque Walnut Organic Shape Table Desk

Located in Brescia, IT

This walnut rectangular Tuscany table, has been hand made in Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) in 1760 circa. Its elegant shape, with the black border, makes this ...

Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut

Arthur Court Gilded Lily Occasional Table

$2,400

H 17 in Dm 19 in

Arthur Court Gilded Lily Occasional Table

Located in Houston, TX

Arthur Court gilded lily occasional table composed of sculptural gilt metal and glass top.

Category

20th Century Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Dolmen - Circular Table by Arthur Vallin

$39,492

H 29 in W 52 in D 52 in

Contemporary Dolmen - Circular Table by Arthur Vallin

Located in 1204, CH

Arthur’s passion and dedication to process inspire him to constantly discover new manufacturing techniques and innovative shapes that he brings to life through hand-picked materials ...

Category

2010s Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Stone

Cityscape Multifaceted Dining Console Table Paul Evans

$36,000

H 28 in W 53 in D 21 in

Cityscape Multifaceted Dining Console Table Paul Evans

By Paul Evans

Located in Atlanta, GA

One of the most striking designs from Cityscape series by Paul Evans, this multifaceted table base from PE 300 series features a combination of brass and walnut burls panels and indi...

Category

1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Brass

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wrought Iron Oval Coffee Table

$4,800

H 14 in W 47.5 in D 29.5 in

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wrought Iron Oval Coffee Table

Located in Stamford, CT

Italian Mid-Century Modern wrought and cast iron oval coffee table. The four legs with acanthus leaf decoration joined by cross stretchers. A su...

Category

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

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

American Mid-Century Modern Rosewood & Metal Frame Dining Table/Desk

$3,160Sale Price|20% Off

H 27.5 in W 60 in D 36 in

American Mid-Century Modern Rosewood & Metal Frame Dining Table/Desk

By Milo Baughman

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful rosewood parquet top with black painted square pipping square tube metal frame , circa 1970's we have refinished the top and left the frame with its original finish looks g...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vaughn Occasional Tables

$1,950 / item

H 16 in W 12 in D 12 in

Vaughn Occasional Tables

Located in Houston, TX

Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut. Color options: Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice) Other options: Choose between either mostly ...

Category

2010s American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Early Vintage Florence Knoll Dining Table or Desk

$5,500

H 28.5 in W 78 in D 34 in

Early Vintage Florence Knoll Dining Table or Desk

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Chicago, IL

Early vintage Florence Knoll dining table. Model 301 Literature: Knoll Furniture 1938-1960, Rouland and Rouland, pg 105 Comes with 1 (18") leaf. Measures: 60" wide without le...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Vaughn Occasional Tables

$1,950 / item

H 16 in W 12 in D 12 in

Vaughn Occasional Tables

Located in Houston, TX

Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut. Color options: Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice) Other options: Choose between either mostly lacquer...

Category

2010s American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Olavi Hanninen Vintage Black Brutalist Table Desk in Elm

$4,280

H 29.52 in W 70.86 in D 31.1 in

Olavi Hanninen Vintage Black Brutalist Table Desk in Elm

By Alexandre Noll

Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR

Olavi Tapio Hänninen (14 December 1920, in Lapinlahti – 16 June 1992 in Espoo) was a Finnish designer and interior architect. Olavi Hänninen's design projects ranged from furniture to trams and church silverware, including total interior designs for many public facilities. His modernist designs also included tables and chairs, and he was well recognized for his work on the Palace Hotel interiors together with Antti Nurmesniemi and Olli Borg. Hänninen designed a renowned plastic chair with metal structure for the hotel's cafe. In the 1970s his designs included the new Valmet Nr I trams for Helsinki City Transport. Before starting his own design office in 1961, Hänninen worked at architect Viljo...

Category

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

Materials

Elm

Brazilian Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Iron, Brazil, 1960s

$6,800

H 15 in W 40.25 in D 40.25 in

Brazilian Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Iron, Brazil, 1960s

Located in High Point, NC

A solid wood and iron coffee table designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Heavy oxidation present throughout iron base. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15.0"H x 40.25"W x 40.25"D ...

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Italian Chrome X-Base Trestle Dining Table or Writing Desk

$3,200

H 29.5 in W 96 in D 42 in

Italian Chrome X-Base Trestle Dining Table or Writing Desk

By Pace Collection

Located in Danville, CA

Rarely seen X-base trestle style dining table base that can be used as either a dining table or writing desk. The base will easily support a glass or stone top as large as 48 x 108 x...

Category

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

Materials

Stone, Chrome

Vaughn Occasional Tables

$1,950 / item

H 16 in W 12 in D 12 in

Vaughn Occasional Tables

Located in Houston, TX

Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut. Color options: Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice) Other options: Choose between either mostly lacquer...

Category

2010s American Arthur Espenet Carpenter Tables

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Previously Available Items

SHIPPING FOR Arthur Espenet Carpenter Walnut & Enameled Steel Dining Table

Sold

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

Sold

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

Arthur Espent Carpenter Three Leg Table Walnut Dining Table 1960

Sold

H 28 in Dm 29 in

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

1967 Arthur Espenet Carpenter Black Walnut Dining Table

Sold

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

Sold

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

Sold

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

Sold

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

Sold

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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