Pair of Sconces in Patinated Bronze and Lucite by Karl Springer 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Karl Springer
The Berlin-born, New York–based designer Karl Springer brought a chic, high-fashion sensibility to 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, he had established his own Manhattan atelier, and at his death he 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. He 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Karl Springer Pair of "Venetian Glass Wall Sconces", 1980sBy Seguso, Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of "Venetian Glass Wall Sconces" in artisan mercury glass with scavo finish, lucite backs and brass accents by Seguso for Karl Springer...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer "Venetian Glass Wall Sconce" 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Venetian Glass Wall Sconce" in amber glass with scavo finish and bronze detail by Seguso (Murano Italy) for Karl Springer, American, 1980s ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of Rare Karl Springer "Galaxy Sconces" in Brass and Faceted Lucite, 1990sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of rare “Galaxy Sconces” in brass with illuminating green faceted lucite backs by Karl Springer, American 1990's. The lucite on these sconces has the appearance of hand-chipped ...Category
1990s American Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair 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 Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Karl Springer Set of 3 Unique Candle Holders in Lucite, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYUnique set of 3 artisan candle holders in tinted and textured lucite designed to look like hand-blown scavo glass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These were done as prototypes. ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsLucite
- Pair of Karl Springer "Dowelwood Ottomans", 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of “Dowelwood Ottomans” with cushions upholstered in brown zebra printed pony skin by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These ottomans, like all of Springer’s pieces, are beautifully crafted. Reference: Karl Springer LTD Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s, section “seating” on page 17...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsAnimal Skin, Wood
- Pair of Brass and Lucite Tulip Sconces by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Atlanta, GABy 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
Vintage 1970s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Style Lucite and Brass SconcesBy Les Prismatiques, Van Teal, Karl SpringerLocated in Houston, TXA stylish pair of Hollywood Regency brass and lucite sconces. These Karl Springer inspired sconces are a great finishing touch for a room. Their lucite form adds glamour and style in...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mid-Century Brass & Lucite "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYThis gleaming and bold Pair of Mid-Century Modernist "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" in Brass and Frosted Lucite are by the esteemed artist and designer Karl Springer and originate from t...Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Etruscan Wall Sconces Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Atlanta, GAA 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
Vintage 1970s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Pair of Art Deco Sconces Style of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis pair of stylish Art Deco inspired wall sconces date to the 1980s and they are very much in the manner of piece created by Karl Springer in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They h...Category
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsNickel
- Stunning Pair of Lucite and Chrome Modern Sconces, Germany, 1980sLocated in Nuernberg, DEPair of 1980s chrome and Lucite sconces. Original European wiring. Each fixture requires one European E27 / 110 Volt Edison or Medium bulb, each bulb up to 60 watts. Nice chic Mid-Ce...Category
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Chrome