Bar Stool by Arthur Espenet Carpenter

Bar 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, California and studied art and design at the California School of Fine Arts (now known as the San Francisco Art Institute) in the 1940s. Carpenter began his career as a designer in the 1950s, creating furniture with a focus on craftsmanship and natural materials. He became known for his use of locally-sourced woods, especially California black walnut, and for his attention to detail and finish. Carpenter's work is often described as "organic modernism," combining modernist design principles with an emphasis on natural forms and materials. He worked primarily in wood, but also experimented with metal, glass, and other materials. Today, Carpenter's work can be found in the collections of major museums, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the Oakland Museum of California.