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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.

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Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Creator: Karl Springer
Karl Springer 2-Tier Side Table in Lacquered Linen 2002 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Telephone Table style side table in Bisque lacquered linen on brass castors with drawer lined in moire silk by Karl Springer LTD, American 2002 (signed on bottom with metal label whi...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Classic Parsons Side Table, 2000s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Classic Parsons Side Table" in lacquered linen with brass sabots by Karl Springer LTD, American early-2000's (signed on bottom). Beautifully crafte...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer End Table in Lacquered Linen on Castors ca. 2005 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
2-tier telephone table style end table with raised molded edge in chocolate brown lacquered linen by Karl Springer LTD, American ca 2005 (signed “Karl Springer” on bottom). This tabl...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Ltd, Lacquered Column Goatskin Column Side Tables, USA
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
In traditional Karl Springer style, the classically simple Column Side Table is elevated by the use of freeform inlayed goat skin that is heavily lacquered for a sleek, unique finish...
Category

2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin, Lacquer

Karl Springer LTD, Onassis Chair, USA
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
An iconic form by Karl Springer, the Onassis chairs, originally commission by Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis, feature a barrel back and semi–circular arm res...
Category

2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Maple, Goatskin

Royal Palm Lacquered Goatskin Credenza, USA
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Available exclusively at Todd Merrill Studio, the Karl Springer LTD Royal Palm cabinet features a grid inlay of lacquered goatskin, available in a variety o...
Category

2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin

Karl Springer LTD, Freeform Dining Table with Custom Goatskin Top, USA
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
He Freeform dining table with custom goatskin top combines Springer’s Classic 1970s Freeform Table design with a custom lacquered goatskin top. S...
Category

2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer LTD, Onassis Barstools, USA
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
An iconic form by Karl Springer, the Onassis barstools are now available through Karl Springer LTD exclusively at Todd Merrill Studio. The stools f...
Category

2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Maple, Goatskin

Karl Springer LTD, Free-Form Low Tables, USA
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Todd Merrill Studio is pleased to unveil the free-form low table, the first piece created under the gallery’s new, exclusive representation of Karl Springer LTD. The gallery will be reissuing a selection of Springer’s unique designs on a commission basis, such as this unique amorphic table...
Category

2010s Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Karl Springer Ltd, Sonnenteller 'Sun Plate', USA, 2017
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Another iconic design by Karl Springer, this unique sculpture, titled Sonnenteller (Sun Plate), debuted in 1979 and is said to have been inspired by a BWA sun mask...
Category

2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Granite, Stainless Steel

Related Items
Lacquered Goatskin Parchment Console Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Spectacular 1986 goatskin console table with two drawers designed by Karl Springer. Constructed of wood covered with goatskin and finish with clear lacquer. Shows minor wear consis...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin, Wood

Vittorio Dassi Attributed Italian Lacquered Credenza
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid century Italian credenza attributed to Vittorio Dassi. Angular silhouette with rich dark lacquered wood finish and brass accents. Green glass top surface. Center cabinet is lin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Lacquered Goatskin Parchment Credenza by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s goatskin parchment lacquered credenza by Karl Springer. In amazing vintage condition shows minor wear consistent with age. Constructed of wood covered with a grayish tan g...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Parchment Paper

Parchment, Lacquer, Resin Credenza
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Artistic design sideboard cover with goatskin with resin and stainless steel base. Credenza has three doors with wood. No shelve Goatskin top coat polished high gloss Goatskin color charcoal A sideboard cover with goatskin and resin finish is a luxurious and contemporary storage cabinet...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Parchment, Lacquer, Resin Credenza
Parchment, Lacquer, Resin Credenza
H 37 in W 73 in D 20 in
Set of Five (5) Karl Springer Grey Lacquered Goatskin Bar Stools
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
Karl Springer set of five JMF grey goatskin lacquers clad bar stools, 1980s. In original preserved condition. Lacquered Goat Skin Clad over Wood. Not signed. Stored 20+ years in a...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1970s Mid-Century Modern Brass Z Tables in the Karl Springer's Style
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern brass z tables with glass top in the Karl Springer's Style. Circa 1970s Feature about 3 inches Z shaped tubular bra...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Karl Springer Python Red Snake Skin Two-Tier Side Drink Telephone Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Karl Springer red python snake skin two-tier side, drink, telephone table.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin

Karl Springer Lacquered Goatskin Square Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square ivory-colored goatskin and lacquer coffee table designed by Karl Springer featuring thick rounded table legs and rounded corners. Karl Springe...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Goatskin

6 Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in Goatskin with Leather Seats
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six original Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in goatskin. The six chairs have been in a one user household and are in great vintage conditi...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin

Modern Karl Springer Style Sculptural Curved Waterfall Side End Table, 1980's
By Karl Springer
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Modern curved waterfall side end table in the style of Karl Springer. This sculptural piece features a neutral cream-beige tone laminate. Beautiful as is or could be wrapped in grass...
Category

1980s Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Karl Springer Style Mid Century Lacquered Goat Skin Credenza
By Karl Springer
Located in Countryside, IL
Karl Springer Style Mid Century Lacquered Goat Skin Credenza This credenza measures: 72 wide x 18 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer Style End Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in Highland, IN
This pair of handsome side tables are very similar to the designs of Karl Springer. They are wrapped in a textured fabric, painted a warm ivory color, and have sculpted corners/ legs...
Category

1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Wood

Karl Springer Style End Tables
Karl Springer Style End Tables
H 24 in W 22 in D 30 in
Previously Available Items
Karl Springer End Table in Lacquered Linen on Castors ca. 2005 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
2-tier telephone table style end table with raised molded edge in chocolate brown lacquered linen by Karl Springer LTD, American ca 2005 (signed “Karl Springer” on bottom). This tabl...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer "Classic Parsons Side Tables" in Lacquered Linen Early 2003
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Classic Parsons Side Tables" in beige/sand lacquered linen with brass sabots by Karl Springer LTD, American early-2000's (signed on bottom). Beautifully crafted with clean lines, th...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Pair of "Telephone Style Tables" in Mint Shagreen 2002 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of exceptional “Telephone Style Tables” completely clad in mint shagreen with inset bone inlays around top and bottom shelves with brass castors by Karl Springer Ltd, American 2...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Pair of End Tables in Lacquered Linen, ca 2000 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large telephone table style end tables in lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American, ca 2000 (label on bottom reads “Karl Springer”). These tables are meticulously crafted.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Pair "Souffle" Ottomans with Brass Bases ca 2000
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Souffle" ottomans with bases in solid brass with recessed castors by Karl Springer LTD, American, ca 2000. These have been newly upholstered in deep blue velvet.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Chic "JMF Bench" in Solid Brass Base Early-2000s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"JMF Bench" with solid brass base and upholstered seat by Karl Springer LTD, American early 2000s (signed). This has been reupholstered in a beautiful velvet. A Classic Springer design.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Tall Telephone Table in Brown Cobra Skin 2002 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Tall "Telephone Table" in rich brown cobra on brass castors by Karl Springer Ltd, American, 2002. (Signed on bottom).
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer LTD "Telephone Table" in Embossed Ostrich Leather, circa 2001
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Telephone Table" covered in two-tone cognac color embossed ostrich leather by Karl Springer LTD, American, circa 2001.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Ostrich Leather, Wood

Karl Springer Telephone Table in Double Bookmatched Flame Mahogany, 2002
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Tall "Telephone Table" in double bookmatched flame mahogany on brass castors by Karl Springer LTD, American, 2002.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Pair of "Telephone Tables" Covered in Cobra Skin, 2002
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of fine "Telephone Tables" covered in brown cobra skin with brass casters by Karl Springer, 2002.
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Exceptionally Crafted Telephone Table in Cobra Skin
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Fine "Telephone Table" covered in black and white cobra skin with brass casters by Karl Springer Ltd, 2002.
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Exceptionally Crafted Telephone Table in Cobra Skin, 2002
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Fine "Telephone Table" covered in cobra skin with brass casters designed by Karl Springer and made in 2002.
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

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.

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