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 Burlwood and Chrome Backgammon Table, 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Burlwood and Chrome Backgammon Table, 1980’s. Measures 48” long 30” deep 29” tall
Chrome
Karl Springer 1977 Goatskin Backgammon Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer - Authenticated 1977 Extremely Rare Goatskin Backgammon Game Table Parsons Style Backgammon Table with Cover Bakelite Game Pieces All Original Condition Beautiful...
Goatskin, Leather, Bakelite, Wood
Karl Springer Tessellated Stone Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A tessellated marble game table with brass trim designed by Karl Springer.
Marble
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced and refinished in a medium walnut. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Mahogany, Walnut
Backgammon Table by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
The limited edition backgammon games table is made with exquisite, multicolor stone marquetry of green, cream and amber onyx. Supported by cylindrical plexiglas legs adorned with bra...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble
Danish Modern Chess and Backgammon Table by Georg Petersens
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in Denton, TX
Portable game table that is easy to move anywhere in the house. Manufactured by Georg Petersens shop in Denmark. Versatile design lets you play chess or backgammon.
Satinwood, Teak, Mahogany, Walnut
$2,200Sale Price|42% Off
H 29.75 in W 38.5 in D 38.5 in
Vintage Tessellated Stone Dining Game Table, Maitland Smith Attributed
By Maitland Smith
Located in Miami, FL
Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining/Game Table Attributed to Maitland Smith Offered for sale is a tessellated stone and brass inlay dining/game table attributed to Maitland Smi...
Stone, Brass
$7,950
H 15 in W 71 in D 60 in
Monumental Coffee Table in Tessellated Stone & Brass by Karl Springer, Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your living space with this exquisite Monumental Coffee Table in Tessellated Stone & Brass by renowned designer Karl Springer. This signed piece exudes sophistication and ele...
Stone, Brass
$4,800
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 16.15 in
Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Board, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover an exceptional Victorian Game Table, originating from the 1860s. This rectangular table stands on four beautifully twisted legs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The top ...
Kingwood
Venezia Game Table
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning table is the ideal surface to play backgammon, chess, and checkers in style. The wood structure is upholstered in leather and features removable legs, so that both sides of the beveled top can be used: a backgammon field with leather inlays on one side and an inlaid chessboard on the other. Under the top three leather-covered trays with compartments store the boxwood chess pawns, the maple and walnut backgammon...
Leather, Wood, Boxwood, Maple, Walnut
$3,850
H 29.5 in W 38 in D 38 in
Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-Century Modern game table in the style of Karl Springer, 1970s. Tessellated stone with brass banding and glass inset top. 38" square x 29.5" high. The under height of table wher...
Limestone, Brass
$6,540
H 29 in W 26 in D 20 in
Lacquer Blue High Gloss Backgammon Game Table with Removable Top, Made to order
Located in New York, NY
Lacquer blue table that coverts to a backgammon game table. New production. Designed and made in NYC, each table is handcrafted within NYC and has unique attributes. One-day delivery...
Burl, Lacquer
Custom Walnut Game Table with Ebony Backgammon and Chess Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut and mahogany backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. New production. Made to order in walnut and mahogany. Designed and made in NYC, each tab...
Walnut
Suede Backgammon and Chess Table, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant game table with removal top. One side of the table is plain suede and the reverse side is a chess board in suede. Cover lifts off to reveal suede backgammon playing surface. ...
Glass, Suede, Wood
Rare Maison Jansen Backgammon Game Table & Chairs, Signed
By Maison Jansen, Alain Delon
Located in North Miami, FL
Alain Delon for Jansen Collection - Made in 1972. Made with brass, chrome and steel backgammon table and matching pair of armchairs with original leather/suede fabric. Smoked glass...
Brass, Copper, Nickel
Sold
H 29.5 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Karl Springer Impressive Game Table in Black Lacquer with Bone Inlays 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning game table in high gloss black lacquer with tessellated bone inlays and inlaid radiating starburst pattern on top in bone by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The attention to...
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Game Table in Brass & Gunmetal with Lizard Leather 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning "Round Leg Game Table" in polished brass and gunmetal with brown embossed lizard leather top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Springer” on side). This table w...
Metal, Brass
Karl Springer Game Table in Wrapped Lizard Skin, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare Karl Springer Game Table in Wrapped Lizard Skin with brass trim, backgammon board with inset gray and ox blood leather points, with flip up storage compartments and original gam...
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 36.13 in D 36.13 in
Karl Springer Game Table Wrapped in an Ivory Crocodile Embossed Leather
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning square Chinoiserie from game table by Karl Springer. The table is wrapped in an ivory (or a very light tan) embossed leather that simulates crocodile. The table is stunnin...
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Gametable
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Reptile Skin -embossed Leather Game table Removable Steel -Edged top Original game Pieces,Doubling Cube, Dice and Dice Cups Signed...
Leather
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Backgammon Table Signed & Dated
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer 1988 Parsons Style backgammon table with cover 2 compartments, cups, game pieces & dice Wood covered in two-tone faux lizard leather in light taupe tones Signed & ...
Brass
Rare Karl Springer Goatskin, Leather and Brass Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Round Rock, TX
Rare angular leg backgammon table designed by Karl Springer. This beautiful table is wrapped in a lacquered beige goatskin with a leather backgammon board in brown, beige and coral. ...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Exceptional Game Table in Embossed Lizard 1986 (Signed and Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional "Parsons Style Game Table" in black embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsmanship of this ...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Rare Backgammon/Games Table in Lacquered Goatskin 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and exceptional "Parsons Style Backgammon Table" in lacquered goatskin with brass trim, backgammon board with inset gray and ox blo...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Exceptional Game Table in Embossed Lizard 1986 'Signed and Dated'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional "Parsons Style Game Table" in dark gray embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsmanship of th...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 13 in W 37.5 in D 37.5 in
Exquisite Karl Springer Flip Top Parsons Game Table w Leather, Lacquer & Brass
By Karl Springer
Located in Hudson, NY
Truly unique flip top backgammon/ game table. The top rotates seamlessly to go from a standard leather top game table to a fully equipped backgammon table. The pieces for the game ar...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Exceptional Game Table in Embossed Lizard 1986 'Signed and Dated'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional "Parsons Style Game Table" in dark gray embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsmanship of th...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer