Maitland Smith Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980s
View Similar Items
Maitland Smith Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: accessory2121stDibs: LU783834327092
Karl Springer
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.
- Karl Springer Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Travertine 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptionally crafted table top box in tessellated travertine with wood interior by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on bottom). This box has a nice scale and t...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsTravertine
- Karl Springer Stunning "Kyoto Box" in Tessellated Penshell 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptionally crafted "Kyoto Box" in tessellated penshell with brass inlays on top and trim around base by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Sprin...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer "J.M.F. Floor Lamp" in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"J.M.F. Floor Lamp" with gently twisting shaft in tessellated fossilized coral with polished brass base and fittings by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This lamp showcases the meticu...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCoral, Brass
- Karl Springer Hinged Box in Brown and Black Cobra, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYHinged box covered in brown and black cobra with interior covered in moiré silk by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are superb.Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsChrome
- Karl Springer Unique Hinged Box in Polished Sodalite Stone 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYStunning one-of-a-kind hinged box in polished blue sodalite stone by Karl Springer, American 1980's (shown with original showroom tag from the 1980’s). Blue sodalite is a rare minera...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone, Brass
- Karl Springer Pair of Candle Holders in Tessellated Coral 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptional pair of artisan candle holders in tessellated coral with bronze bases by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Sculptural forms in beautiful materials. Measures: W: 3.5 inch...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsCoral, Bronze
- Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Fossilized Coral Decorative Wood Stash Dome BoxBy Maitland SmithLocated in San Diego, CAWe are offering a beautiful elegant natural tessellated mosaic fossilized coral stone decorative stash box designed by Maitland Smith. This box does not have the original tag on the ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone
- 1980s Hollywood Regency Maitland-Smith Tessellated Marble & Brass Decorative BoxBy Maitland SmithLocated in St. Louis, MOVintage Hollywood Regency Maitland-Smith tessellated Maroon / Coral marble & brass trim quadtrefoil form decorative box with hinged lid and ...Category
Vintage 1980s Philippine Hollywood Regency Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- 1980s Tessellated Stone Box with Brass Trim, Maitland Smith AttributedBy Maitland SmithLocated in Miami, FL1980s Tessellated Stone Box with Brass Trim, Maitland Smith Attributed Offered for sale is a 1980s lidded tessellated stone decorative box with accent color stone and inset brass tr...Category
Vintage 1980s Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone, Brass
- Maitland-Smith Tessellated Stone BoxBy Maitland SmithLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA fine box in the Retro Art Deco Fashion.Category
Vintage 1970s American Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone
- Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone BoxBy Maitland SmithLocated in North Hollywood, CAMaitland Smith tessellated stone large decorative box.Category
Vintage 1980s Philippine Hollywood Regency Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone
- Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone BoxBy Maitland SmithLocated in North Hollywood, CAMaitland Smith tessellated stone jewelry box in pink salmon color.Category
Vintage 1980s Philippine Hollywood Regency Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone