Karl Springer Furniture
American, German, 1931-1991
The Berlin-born, New York–based designer Karl Springer brought a chic, high-fashion sensibility to his coffee tables, mirrors, Lucite lamps and other furnishings. During his heyday in the 1970s, Springer’s work was a favorite of the glamour set, who enjoyed the novelty of pieces finished in rich and striking materials that ranged from exotic hides and skins to lacquer and chromed metal.
In a sense, Springer was a pre-postmodernist. Much as the dull, safe, corporate sameness of late 20th-century modernism prompted Ettore Sottsass, Michael Graves and others to explore new and provocative structures and materials in design and architecture, so, too, was Springer driven to enliven his creations with fresh and alluring energy and sleekness.
Springer came to New York in the late 1950s and found work arranging window displays at the department store Lord & Taylor. He had studied bookbinding in Germany, and, using his meticulous skills, he began crafting desk accessories wrapped in leather as a sideline. These pieces were sold in luxury stores like Bergdorf Goodman and drew a sophisticated clientele that included the Duchess of Windsor.
By 1965, Springer had established his own Manhattan atelier. It was Pierre Scapula, decorator to Jackie and Aristotle Onassis, who spotted Springer's disco-era Onassis chairs — which didn't yet have a name — first commissioned for a private residence in Acapulco, on the floor of the designer’s East 61st Street showroom. Jackie ordered barstools for the couple’s yacht, the Christina O, and dining chairs for their house on the Greek mainland.
At the time of his death, Springer had showrooms as far afield as Los Angeles, Tokyo and Munich.
The chairs, tables, credenzas and other furniture forms Springer created are generally simple, but substantial, and often have robust, rounded lines. The appeal of his work lies in Springer's insistence on exacting construction and, above all, his eye for unusual materials and finishes.
Springer employed Lucite, brass, and gunmetal along with chromed and polished steel, and revived exquisite finishes rarely seen since the days of Art Deco masters such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean-Michel Frank: shagreen (a type of sharkskin), python, goatskin, bone, horn, and lacquered parchment, as well as fabrics that include batik prints. Made of such materials, Springer’s work is by its very nature flamboyant and eye-catching: a suite of pieces will astonish, and an artfully placed side table in exotic hide will add a surprising spark.
Find a collection of vintage Karl Springer furniture today on 1stDibs.
2
566
7
2
to
33
558
15
575
573
573
252
190
18
9
565
9
29
501
5
175
274
16
305
214
199
180
130
501
475
15
12
7
326
5,231
4,014
2,455
2,235
Creator: Karl Springer
Karl Springer Lucite Sculpture Leg Coffee Table, 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Lucite sculpture leg coffee table by Karl Springer with glass top.
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Glass, Lucite
Pair of Karl Springer Snake Skin Two-Tier Side Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Karl Springer snake skin two-tier side tables. One with embossed leather label "Karl Springer 1983".
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin
Karl Springer Sculptural Lucite Cocktail Table Base with Brass Caps Vintage
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful angled and sculptural Karl Springer lucite table base has brass caps.There is no glass provided for this great base. One...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Pivoting Painted Goatskin Box
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pivoting box, covered in sliced petrified coral
Label below.
See photo can to get a sense of scale.
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Goatskin
Karl Springer Rain Drum Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A great example of this form complimented by its original
iridized surface. With a marble top.
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
Karl Springer Python Console on Brass Base, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Striking console table designed and produced by Karl Springer in the mid-1970s. The top is covered in Python and the base is made of solid polished brass. Authentication by Tom Lange...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Modern Round Table and Armchairs in Faux Lizard Embossed Leather
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Modern dining room set consisting of a round table and four armchairs, designed by Karl Springer. The set is surfaced in faux-lizard embossed leather. The chairs with armrests have a...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
Pair of Brass and Lucite Tulip Sconces by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
By Karl Springer circa 1970s, this pair of sconces were made of solid brass and Lucite, wall-mounted and each holds two sockets, a great example of 1970s design that is inspired by g...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Brass and Gunmetal Table Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare pair of gunmetal and brass table lamps design by Karl Pringer in the 1980s. It’s rare to find this as lamps, they are usually candlesticks. They have been newly rewired with n...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Karl Springer Benin Head on Custom Lucite Base, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Authentic bronze Benin head on a custom Lucite base by Karl Springer, American 1970s (comes with a Letter of Authentication from Karl Springer's former Dire...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1970s Modernist Chromed Center Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A superb polished stainless steel "tulip" center table having a thick disc base and three flaring brass accented arms supporting a round glass top.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Karl Springer Gunmetal Wall Scones
By Karl Springer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These unique pair of 'Spun Shaped Wall Scones´ were designed by Karl Springer. The wall scones are made of Gunmetal and are placed on detailed Lucite backs which are made of satinate...
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Metal
Magnificent Pair Karl Springer Marbleized Blue Lacquer Lucite Table Lamps, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent and rare pair of Karl Springer marbleized blue lacquer and Lucite bubble table lamps, USA, 1970s. Retains Springer's original marbleized blue lacquered finish over three ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Karl Springer Mahogany Club Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Hudson, NY
Upholstered in orange velvet, signs of normal wear on the velvet. Mahogany has been recently polished and is in excellent condition.
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful set of eight "Regency" armchairs designed by Karl Springer in original lacquered lacewood.
Category
1980s Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Signed Karl Springer Ostrich Embossed Leather Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This iconic and rare waterfall design vintage side table by Karl Springer features a recessed drawer and 3/4 inch thick glass shelf (chip to glass on backside - not visible). Can be ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather, Glass
Adrian Purcell Wall Sconces Sconces
By Karl Springer
Located in New Haven, CT
This Classic pair of Art Deco gunmetal wall sconce's was designed for "Purcell" by Karl Springer. This form comes in a few color and material variations.
The gunmetal and clear Glass...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Glass
Murano Glass Torchère Floor Lamp by Karl Springer for Seguso
By Karl Springer, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous Murano scavo glass torchère floor lamp designed by Karl Springer in the 1980s for Seguso Italy.
The lamp is signed by Karl Springer. The lamp takes a regular Edison ligh...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Pair of Karl Springer "Sculpture" Side Tables in Sandstone
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is a rare pair of "Sculpture" tables in sandstone, bronze and glass, 12 inch diameter base By Karl Springer.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Sandstone, Bronze
Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s
Presenting an extraordinary discovery from a lavish Palm Beach, Florida estate, we offer a breathtaking pair of custom-designed headboards hailing from the early 1980s. Crafted by the renowned Karl Springer Workshop, these headboards stand offer timeless elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship. Each headboard bears the leather signature tags of the legendary Karl Springer himself, elevating their value to a remarkable level of rarity.
The exquisite combination of materials transcends the ordinary, forging an extraordinary visual symphony. Stealing the spotlight, the headboards boast a captivating ‘black oxide’ and brass finish, bestowing an air of sophistication and mystique upon their surroundings.
Indulge in the magnificence of these headboards’ grand dimensions, which, when ingeniously combined, transform into a magnificent king headboard. With every glance, your eyes will be drawn to the mesmerizing gunmetal and brass details adorning the lustrous brass structure, imparting a sense of regality and grace.
Designed with practicality in mind, these headboards mount...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Metal
Karl Springer Telephone Table Snakeskin and Brass, 1990
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Postmodern 'telephone' side or end table by designer Karl Springer, 1990. Table is covered in a beautiful authentic snakeskin in a medium brown and supported by small bra...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swing Arm Vanity / Shaving Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Swing arm chrome and brass vanity / shaving mirror by Karl Springer. Measured as shown. Mirror 13.5" diameter.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining or Center Table 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining or Center Table 1980s
Wagon wheel spoked design, sold in USA 1980s through Karl Springer Workshop and retailer Lorin Marsh.
Karl Springer Jansen style dining table...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Side or End Table in Tessellated Stone Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Karl Springer Side or End Table in Tessellated Stone Signed
Two-Tier Table with Drawer signed Karl Springer. Gorgeous, seldom-seen two-tier table in tessellated stone with brass inl...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass
Monumental "Saturn" Mirror by Karl Springer, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Pasadena, CA
Enormous "Saturn" mirror in bevelled glass by Karl Springer, 1980s. Minor age appropriate wear (see photos) that in no way detracts from the striking and impressive quality of this m...
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Pair of Modernist Lacquered Parchment Side Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Unusual pair of lacquered parchment side tables by Karl Springer with interlocking glass top.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Goatskin, Glass
Karl Springer Polished Steel and Brass Bench
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Original circa 1970s Karl Springer polished stainless steel X-frame bench, with brass details and new black kid glove leather upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Steel
Karl Springer Gunmetal, Brass Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, iconic Parsons style coffee table in heavy gunmetal with a smoked glass inset top and brass pinstripe inlay. Pictured in the Karl Springer catalog. In overall great cond...
Category
20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Karl Springer Hand Painted Batik Leather Box
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A nice example in beautiful condition.
Original invoice pictured.
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather
Signed Karl Springer Table Lamp with a Sandblasted Glass Base, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Vienna, AT
An impressive and rare table lamp by Karl Springer in the 1970s. Has a beautiful sandblasted glass base. In excellent condition, has a refurbished lampshade. Signed on bottom.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Glass
Massive Pair of Karl Springer Purcell Sconces in Gun Metal finish , 1970s , USA
By Karl Springer
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Iconic pair of Art Deco style sconces.
Extremely light conductive vertical sculptural (waterfall like) slice of Lucite stacked together, mounted on a brass structure plated with...
Category
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Waste Paper Basket
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer (1930-1991)
Square waste paper basket with curved sides wrapped entirely
in tan lizard embossed leather.
American, circa 1980.
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather
Karl Springer Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" in pale yellow lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American, 1980s.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Linen, Lacquer
Karl Springer Monumental "Half Round Molding Mirror" in Lacquered Goatskin 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Monumental "Half Round Molding Mirror with Step Down Detail" in lacquered goatskin with beveled mirror by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This mirror is very impressive in scale and the goatskin is luxurious.
Reference:
Karl Springer Ltd red binder catalog published in the 1980’s, section titled “mirrors...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Goatskin
Vintage Karl Springer JMF Armchair (Gilt) by Enrique Garcel for Jimeco
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful Vintage Karl Springer style Chair by Jimeco. Designed by Enrique Garcel.
Applied Gold Leaf shows some loss as it stands right now.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Wood
Karl Springer White Lacquered Crocodile Leather Coffee Table 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table covered in white embossed crocodile leather by Karl Springer, American, 1970s. A beautiful and luxurious Karl Springer design.
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp with String Shade by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Toledo, OH
A fantastic table lamp by Karl Springer. This great lamp features three round plaster compressed spheres separated by two Lucite spacers. It has a two light cluster socket with Sprin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lucite
Karl Springer Exceptional Ostrich Skin Coffee Table 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Elegant coffee table covered in ostrich skin with glass top by Karl Springer, American 1970's (signed with metal Karl Springer label on bottom). This table is a beautiful example of...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
Karl Springer "Regency Arm Chair" in Lacewood Veneer, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Regency armchair" in lacewood veneer with leather seat and back by Karl Springer, American, 1970s.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Python Skin Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This can be used as either a bench or a table.
A classic Franc 1940s design reimagined by Karl Springer,
Label below
Category
Late 20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture
Karl Springer Bullfrog Skin Box, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural lidded box covered in bullfrog skin with brass hinge by Karl Springe, American, 1970s.
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin
Pair of Sandblasted Lucite Torchere by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of monumental torchiere floor lamps. These oversized lamps were designed by Karl Springer for Karl Springer Ltd, circa 1970s for bespoken spacious interior as statement lighting. Will look amazing in a large living room or dinging room...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Hand Lacquered Kyoto Box 1984
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Kyoto Box" in double glaze faux mushroom shagreen lacquer with faux ivory inlay detail on matching Stand by Karl Springer, American, 1984. (Shown with origi...
Category
1980s North American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Souffle Ottoman or Pouf Double Size
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Custom created for a home filled with Karl Springer is this rare double length "souffle" ottoman pouf. A unique piece for it's size. Original fabric is in great condition but would a...
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Ron Seff Goat Skin Rare Lucite Base Expandable Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
Ron Seff Goat Skin Lucite base versatile extra-large expandable dining/conference table, when closed 72" with two leave 20"each when fully opened
112" in exceptional condition bevel...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Goatskin, Lucite, Wood
Pair of Etruscan Wall Sconces Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of wall Etruscan sconces designed and manufactured by Karl Springer, circa 1970s. Made of chromed steel with opaque Lucite. Great proportion with modern materials and silhouet...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Nickel and Lucite Lamp By Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thick lucite stem with incised center channel on each side sites in chromed base with chrome accents. Highest quality construction.
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lucite
Pair of Lucite and Chrome Floor Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of beautiful Lucite and chrome floor lamps designed and manufactured by Karl Springer in the early 1970s for a private home in NY.
The lamps came from the original owners and a...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Large-Scale Leather and Brass Ottoman by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A large-scale leather and heavy brass ottoman designed by Karl Springer.
Newly reupholster in a distressed gray leather.
The round heavy brass bottom has hidden wheels, making movi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Console Dining Table Authenticated
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of authenticated tulip table bases designed and manufactured by Karl Springer, Ltd. The bases are currently configured as a pair of console tables with glass tops, but they can ...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Octagonal Chrome and Marbelized Lacquer Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer octagonal mirror with 1" bevel, framed in a butterscotch yellow veined lacquer that resembles marble at much less weight. Polis...
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Large Karl Springer Murano Scavo Glass Table Lamps, Signed
By Archimede Seguso, Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pr Karl Springer Murano art glass table lamps.
Large Trumpet form glass elements with lobed glass base. Textured milky finish. Signed Karl Spring...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Pair of Sconces in Patinated Bronze and Lucite by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of patinated bronze sconces with illuminating sand-blasted Lucite inserts by Karl Springer, American, 1980s. This is the large version of these sconces. These sconces give off a lot of up light since each has 2 bulbs. They are stunning Springer sconces.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Karl Springer Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A vintage Karl Springer mirror in laquered frame.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Pair of "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" in gunmetal with Lucite backs and inserts by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Lucite illuminates when lights are on (see photo).
Total of three ar...
Category
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Metal
Wall-Mounted "Round Leg Console Table" by Karl Springer (signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Round leg console table", wall-mounted in copper and gunmetal with inset smoked glass top, by Karl Springer, American, 1980s (signed on side "...
Category
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Copper
Rare Karl Springer Signed Faux Crocodile Desk or Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous signed Karl Springer dining table of white faux crocodile leather with chrome accents. Bearing wood Karl Springer Ltd plaque on underside.
Provenance: From a private Tex...
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Nickel
Karl Springer Optic Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is one of our favorite Karl Springer mirrors.
Wood trim is dark blue.
Category
1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lacquer, Mirror
Karl Springer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Karl Springer furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Karl Springer furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 596 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Karl Springer were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Charles Hollis Jones, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. Prices for Karl Springer furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $428 and can go as high as $75,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.
Creators Similar to Karl Springer
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Karl Springer Furniture
Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Karl Springer Table Lamps
Karl Springer Side Tables
Karl Springer Wall Mirrors
Karl Springer Console Tables
Karl Springer Tables
Karl Springer Dining Room Tables
Karl Springer End Tables
Karl Springer Floor Lamps
Karl Springer Center Tables
Karl Springer Ottomans and Poufs
Karl Springer Stools