Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Room 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 Dining Room 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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Walnut

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 Arthur Umanoff, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Olive, Hardwood

Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich

$3,954Sale 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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Unavailable|~~$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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Scrap Wood

Contemporary Dolmen - Circular Table by Arthur Vallin

$41,213

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Stone

1980's Solid Oak Oval Craftsman Extension Dining Table

$2,887Sale Price|47% Off

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Solid Travertin Dining Table by Arthur Vallin

$47,079

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Travertine

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Live Edge French Burl Elm Slab Dining Table, Desk or Work Table

$3,850

H 29.88 in W 103.75 in D 42.25 in

Live Edge French Burl Elm Slab Dining Table, Desk or Work Table

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

This thick 2” slab of 40 year old French Burled Elm was found in the backyard of a famous French furniture maker, who unfortunately closed his doors after 60 years in business. The beauty of the slab speaks for itself, for I cannot think of any words that could accurately describe what Mother Nature created. Whether you use it for a desk, like I have for many years, or a dining table, or ever a kitchen island work table...

Category

1970s French Country Vintage Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining Room Tables

Materials

Elm, Burl

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Stone, Chrome

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

$24,716

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Brass

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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Rattan

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 Dining Room 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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Bronze

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 Dining Room 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 Dining Room Tables

Materials

Steel

Arthur Espenet Carpenter dining room tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Espenet Carpenter dining room 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 dining room tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider dining room tables by and David N. Ebner. Prices for Arthur Espenet Carpenter dining room tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $30,500 and can go as high as $92,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $57,750.

More Arthur Espenet Carpenter Furniture

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