Arthur Espenet Carpenter Desks and Writing 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, 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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Italy 18th Century Baroque Walnut Organic Shape Table Desk

$16,365

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Desk Conference Table, Leather, Chrome

$2,800

H 29 in W 72 in D 36 in

Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Desk Conference Table, Leather, Chrome

By Nienkamper, Richard Schultz

Located in Miami, FL

Great leather top table with chrome base. Leather has a green brown color with a rich patina. Please see pictures. High-quality. Ready for a new home.

Category

1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Scrap Wood

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern Tile Inlay Teak Desk or Dining Table

$2,800

H 29 in W 47.5 in D 24.25 in

Danish Modern Tile Inlay Teak Desk or Dining Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a beautiful tile inlay teak desk or dining table. In great vintage condition. This is a trestle style table with center support. The tiles are in gr...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak, Ceramic

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Chrome

Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich

$3,927Sale 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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1970s Italian Travertine Dining, Conference Table, Desk, Rectangle Post-Modern

$5,895

H 28.5 in W 79.5 in D 36.5 in

1970s Italian Travertine Dining, Conference Table, Desk, Rectangle Post-Modern

By Stone International, Willy Rizzo

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Simple is so often better! This elegant rectangular dining table shows us that. Filled and polished travertine-marble, with just the right amount of attractive natural grain. And a b...

Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Travertine, Marble

1970s Italian Drop Leaf Dining Table or Desk

$2,800

H 30 in W 62 in D 34.25 in

1970s Italian Drop Leaf Dining Table or Desk

Located in Atlanta, GA

Italian drop leaf dining table or desk, Italy, circa 1970s. Interesting drop leaf joinery on either side. This would be the perfect size for an NYC apartment...

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Rattan Desk or Table

$1,800

H 29 in W 48 in D 31 in

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Rattan Desk or Table

Located in Sheffield, MA

Mid-century 1950's French bamboo desk or dining table. Wicker, rattan, faux bamboo.

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Arthur Espenet Carpenter Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan

Unique Red Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table or Desk, 1970s

$24,547

H 32.29 in W 98.43 in D 45.28 in

Unique Red Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table or Desk, 1970s

By Maison Jansen

Located in Paris, IDF

A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this large dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother of ...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Arthur Espenet Carpenter desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter desks and writing 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 desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $92,400 and can go as high as $92,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $92,400.

More Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Room Tables

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Seating

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Objects

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Decorative Boxes

Arthur Espenet Carpenter Music Stands