Fascinating. Arthur Espenet Carpenter was like the fifth Beatle of American woodworking. In 1972, he was in "Woodenworks," the genre-defining show at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, along with George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, Wharton Esherick, and Wendell Castle.
By that time, Carpenter's shops in San Francisco and Marin County--future home of Starfleet, remember--had been cranking out custom and one-of-a-kind furniture for years. Such as this insane walnut rocking chair, made in 1970.
I mean, just look at this thing. Vladimir Kagan grabs Carlo Mollino to quiet slip out for a smoke every time this rocking chair comes up in conversation. Spectacular. And if it really only sells for the estimate Wright 20 puts on it, it'll be a spectacular bargain as far as I'm concerned.
October 7, 2008, Lot 197: Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Rocking Chair, 1970, Est. $7,000-9,000 [wright20.com]
Beautiful. But, those sharp points on the armrests will make a mean knot on baby's head when he rears back in a crying fit in your arms.