Items Similar to Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Arthur Espenet Carpenter Roll-Top Desk 1979
About the Item
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 boxes, most felt lined, letter holders.
Under height: 26"
Signed underside Espenet 7909
- Creator:Arthur Espenet Carpenter (Workshop/Studio, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.25 in (99.7 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Style:Organic Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1979
- Condition:Original vintage condition, with some light scratches throughout consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
Arthur Espenet Carpenter
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.
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Gold Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are highly rated and consistently exceed customer expectations.
Established in 1994
1stDibs seller since 2008
495 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
Associations
20th Century Specialists
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone ChairBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Chicago, ILArthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone Chair, Walnut Frame with vellum sling seat. Carved signature and number to the underside of the chair ‘Espenet 8010 3 ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Organic Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter Dining TableBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Chicago, ILArthur “Espenet” carpenter dining table, solid walnut hand carved details with 2 leaves [Signed ESPENET ‘70].Category
Vintage 1970s American American Craftsman Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Unique Double-Trunk Table DeskBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Chicago, ILArthur 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
Vintage 1980s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsEbony, Mahogany
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter Three-Legged Occasional TableBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Chicago, ILArthur 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
Vintage 1970s American American Craftsman Side Tables
MaterialsBurl
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid WalnutBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Chicago, ILArthur Espenet Carpenter Teardrop Table in Solid Flamed WalnutCategory
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Arthur Elrod Custom DeskBy Pace Furniture Company, Arthur ElrodLocated in Chicago, ILArthur Elrod Custom desk, Manufactured by Pace; features a red lacquered Desk Top with three pencil drawers with solid perforated chrome plated pulls. The...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
You May Also Like
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter 'Wishbone' ArmchairBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Los Angeles, CAwood armchair w/original leather webbing, signedCategory
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter 'Sedua Wishbone' ArmchairBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Los Angeles, CAA 'Sedua Wishbone' armchair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, in walnut with leather straps, circa 1972. Stamped.Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Signed Arthur Espenet Carpenter Rawhide StoolBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in New York, NYSigned, Arthur Espenet carpenter (American, 1920-2006) Rare, Rawhide stool, circa 1972. Rawhide stool was made through a process known as bent lamination,” in which the seat frame an...Category
Vintage 1970s American American Craftsman Stools
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter Sedua Wishbone ChairBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Los Angeles, CAArthur Espenet Carpenter sedua wishbone chair in walnut with leather straps, circa 1972 stampedCategory
Vintage 1970s American Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, StampedBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireArthur Espenet Carpenter, California, USA, circa early 1970s "Wishbone" chair of African Hyedua and brown leather strapping. Stamped to the underside "Espenet", he chose not to sign ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Bar Stool by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, USA, 1960sBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Berlin, DEBar stool in Rawhide by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, 1960s. Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006) was an American furniture designer and craftsman. He was born in San Francisco, Californ...Category
Vintage 1960s American American Craftsman Stools
MaterialsLeather, Wood
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage 1970 Office Desk
Line Office Desk
Modern Walnut Office Chair
Black Vintage Desk Chair
Roll Top Modern
Vintage Butterfly Top
Vintage Inlay Chair
American Walnut Desk
Roll Top Desk Furniture
Rolled Top Desk
Three Drawer Box
Walnut Box Signed
Pencil Drawer
Used Roll Top Desk
Used Roll Top Desks
Used Roll Top Desk Furniture
Butterfly Drawers
Roll Top Office Desk