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.
Pair of Signed Karl Springer Goatskin JMF Chairs, 1986
By Karl Springer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of signed and dated iconic Karl Springer JMF chairs featuring a dark, rich parchment leather goatskin finish. Each chair has a si...
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Gunmetal and Gold Cocktail Table, USA c 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Norwalk, CT
The metal finishes developed by Karl Springer elevate his furniture to fine jewelry status. Springer was renowned for his use of exotic materials and proprietary finish techniques in...
Metal
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...
Brass
Karl Springer Copper Rain Drum Table With Original Textured Glass Top
By Karl Springer
Located in Culver City, CA
Step into the realm of timeless sophistication with this original Karl Springer Rain Drum Cocktail Table; a dazzling tribute to Southeastern As...
Copper
Karl Springer Kyoto Box / Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rarely seen Karl Springer Kyoto Box Original surface with minor touchups Original suede interior.
Wood
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Karl Springer Goatskin Credenza / Buffet, 1980's With COA
By Karl Springer
Located in Culver City, CA
This is the kind of piece that makes designers whisper and collectors lean in: a monumental Karl Springer credenza, completely clad in creamy, glossy goatskin from head to toe. (Even...
Goatskin
Karl Springer Rare and Monumental Shagreen Pair of Table Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of exquisite lamps by Karl Springer. The large spheres are solid wood meticulously covered in shagreen, the Pyramid shades are also wood covered in shagreen. Reportedly just a...
Shagreen
Karl Springer “Heavy Parsons” Lizard Skin Coffee Table w/Gunmetal Inlay, 1986
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer “Heavy Parsons” Bullnose Detail covered in American Lizard Embossed Leather and Lacquered with Gunmetal inlay Coffee Table, 1986. Measures 60” long 40” deep 16” tall Co...
Metal
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Lamp White Finished Ostrich Skin Pattern doesn't include lampshade Original Lamp Fittings
Leather
1970s Coromandel Screen by Karl Springer, Hand-Carved, Vintage Decor
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An Incredible 1970 rare four panel “Coromandel” Screen by Karl Springer. The front design is hand carved and painted with black and coral...
Brass
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Enrique Garcel Armchair Tessellated Bone Inlay Colombia
By Enrique Garcel, Karl Springer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Enrique Garcel (in the style of Karl Springer + Maitland Smith) Armchair in tessellated bone Fabulous sculptural profile Original vintage preowned condition with new upholstery...
Bone, Fabric
$6,850Sale Price|27% Off
Karl Spinger 'Sculpture' Brass Table Lamp, c 1980, Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegantly crafted, this rare 'Sculpture' table lamp by Karl Springer embodies the essence of his meticulous artistry. This example is fashioned from hefty brass, crafted in the 1980s...
Brass
Karl Springer Snakeskin Telephone Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Water Mill, NY
Karl Springer signed snakeskin telephone table on brass wheels. In pale yellow
Serpentine, Brass
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
Karl Springer Green Crackle Lacquer and Brass Coffee Table, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Green Crackle Lacquer and Brass Coffee Table, 1970’s. Measures 16.25” tall 40.25” x 40.25”
Brass
Karl Springer Tessellated Bone and Goatskin Coffee Table, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Tessellated Bone and Goatskin Coffee Table, 1970’s. Original beautiful condition. Measures 16.5” tall 53” long 37” deep
Bone, Goat Hair
$20,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Karl Springer Onassis Bar Stools, A Set of 4, Goatskin, Boucle & Bronze, C. 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Culver City, CA
These bar stools are absolutely gorgeous! If you have an eye for opulence and a taste for the finer things in life we've got a treat for you. Dive headfirst into the lap of luxury with these iconic Karl Springer barstools...
Bronze
Pair of Karl Springer Chrome and Original Purple String Shade Ball Lamps, 1980s
By Leviton, Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This stunning and very rare pair of iconic midcentury "Ball" lamps was designed in the 1980s by illustrious American designer Karl Springer. This pair features two hemispheres of pol...
Brass, Chrome
Karl Springer 1986 Python Snakeskin Telephone Table Signed & Dated
By Karl Springer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Karl Springer two-tiered design is commonly referred to as a "Telephone Table" by Karl Springer, a design he produced in various skins and finishes. This particular table with snake...
Brass
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Waterfall Side Tables in Python, Signed Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Curved Side Tables in Python are fabricated and signed by Karl Springer and originate from the United States, created in 1986. Featuring ...
Python
Mid-Century Modernist Chrome & Lucite Waterfall Sconce by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Mid-Century Modernist waterfall sconce by celebrated American designer Karl Springer, circa 1980. This exceptional piece exemplifies Springer’s renowned ability to combine...
Chrome
Karl Springer Mark II Leather Coffee Table, 1974
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Mark II Leather and Brass Coffee Table, 1974. Original condition Measures 76" long 48" deep 15.5" tall
Brass
Karl Springer, Convex Mirror, USA, c. 1980s, Brass, Stainless Steel
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Original Karl Springer vanity mirror in brass and stainless steel. Original finish and mirror in good condition. Brass and stainless steel ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Chippendale-Style Horn Wall Mirror. U.S.A. Late 20th Century.
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A dramatic large-scale Chippendale-style wall mirror designed by Karl Springer, American, circa 1980s. Springer reinterprets the traditional 18th-century silhouette through his unmis...
Horn, Mirror
Karl Springer Crocodile Leather 2 Drawer Console Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An Alligator leather console by Karl Springer 2 drawers make this a useful form. Karl Springer leather label below
Leather
Karl Springer Goatskin Bullnose Dining Table with Chrome, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Goatskin Bullnose Dining Table with Chrome Accents and Two Leaves. 1970’s Measures 78” long without leaves, each leaf is 22” wide, 29” tall 53” deep. Total length of t...
Chrome
Documented Mid-Century Modern Hand-Blown Scavo Glass Torchiere by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This documented Mid-Century Modernist torchiere, designed by the renowned Karl Springer in America circa 1980, and hand-blown in Murano Italy by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, is a remarkable ...
Glass
Karl Springer Goatskin Coffee Table, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Goatskin coffee table, 1970. Original.
Goatskin, Glass
Mid-Century French Polished Tortoise Hue Finish Molding Mirror by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist molding mirror by renowned designer Karl Springer, crafted in circa 1970, showcases the timeless elegance and innovative materials characteristic of Spring...
Mirror
Karl Springer Goatskin Dining Table With Custom Chrome Drum Base
By Karl Springer
Located in Culver City, CA
This dining table is simply stunning. A goatskin dining table designed by Karl Springer from the 1980s features a creamy goatskin top with hides that are both tan and nude in color with slight color variations in the hides that only come with real goatskin pieces. This large goatskin top rests on a circular chrome drum base that is a custom base for the table. This stunning table came out of a prominent home in Century City and the provenance is available upon request. The dining table top still has the original Karl Springer paper label which was included in the original wrapping of the piece / order tag, which has been affixed to the bottom by the original owner for provenance. This wrapping tag has significantly faded with time, but you can still make out the name Karl Springer at the top (especially if you snap a photo and bump up the contrast). This dining table, as photographed, looks incredible with the Guido Faleschini for Pace Collection dining chairs -- which is the exact combination the family had been using since the 1980's. With the striking chrome base, this dining table would look great with Milo Baughman thinline...
Chrome
Pair of Poufs / Ottomans by Karl Springer, Original Tan / Taupe Fabric, Brass
By Karl Springer
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Karl Springer Poufs / "Souffle Ottomans" / stools in the original silk fabric, solid seamlessly welded brass bases, and hidden casters. These work well in any environment inc...
Brass
Karl Springer Waterfall Desk in Tortoise Color Penshell, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
A Karl Springer desk in Tortoise color Pen-Shell with 3 recessed drawers. Signed with brass plaque.
Shell, Wood
Snake Skin Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Two-tier snakeskin side table by Karl Springer, signed.
Bronze
Karl Springer Saturn Mirror, 48", USA c1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Norwalk, CT
This impressive example of Karl Springer's "Saturn" mirror measures 48". The simple design is created by layering round and curved mirrors panels each with deep beveling. Very fine ...
Mirror
Signed Karl Springer Embossed Leather Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A signed Karl Springer side table in embossed snake skin textured leather dated 1990.
Leather
Mid-Century Side Tables by Karl Springer, Green Canvas, Circa 1955
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century square green painted canvas cloth end / side tables with an Asian influenced design having a shaped bottom to the apron and legs (KARL SPRINGER) (PRICED ...
Paint
$10,875Sale Price / set|25% Off
Karl Springer Wall Mounted Console and Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Karl Springer wall mounted parchment console table and mirror. Console table is 34" high, 42" wide and 18" deep. Mirror is 48" high, 38.25' wide ...
Parchment Paper
Elegant Chrome Tulip Table Possibly by Karl Springer.
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous 1980's polished chrome Tulip table possibly by Karl Springer. The beautifully constructed heavy polished chrome base has 3 channeled Tulip style leaf supports which hold ...
Chrome
Two Kente Cloth Covered Side Tables by Karl Springer c. 1970's
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Two Kente cloth covered side tables, by Karl Springer c. 1970's. These rare tables are in good, original, clean and ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal ...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Karl Springer, Germany, 1950s
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern German frosted acrylic Lucite table lamp with a white shade. The clear desk light was designed by Karl Springer, featuring a on...
Glass, Acrylic
Karl Springer Grasscloth Tiered Coffee Table, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Grasscloth Tiered Coffee Table, 1970. Original
Grasscloth
Vintage Karl Springer Sculptural Lucite Cocktail Table Base, Brass Caps, 1970's
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. On...
Brass
Karl Spring Mid-Century Modern Lacquered Goat Skin Dining, Conference Table 70s
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
For Sale is this large almost round floating Karl Springer dining table on two half round pedestal bases, made in America in the 1970. All wood core decorated with the Goat Skin and...
Goatskin, Wood
Female Torso in Cast Stone Karl Springer Ltd
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This cast stone female torso was purchased in 1983 from the Karl Springer showroom in 1983. We have the original receipt for the purchase which where the torso was displayed in Honol...
Cast Stone
Karl Springer Lucite Floor Lamp, Brass Base, Modern Design, USA, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Lucite column floor lamp with a square brass base and double pull chain sockets, designed by Karl Springer. Rewired for use in the USA. Shade not included.
Brass
Signed Karl Springer Lizard Leather JMF Chair, 1984
By Karl Springer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish JMF Chair by Karl Springer featuring an amazing embossed lizard leather skin veneer. Signed and dated on bottom 1984 with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. The leather has...
Leather, Wood
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...
Chrome
Iconic Modern Karl Springer Round Bullnose Goatskin Dining or Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This table designed by legendary designer Karl Springer has become a 20th century modern iconic table. They are getting extremely hard to find. (Especially in good condition). This ...
Lacquer
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Karl Springer Lucite and Chrome Table Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Wayne, NJ
A stunning conversation table lamp designed by Karl Springer. It features a solid clear oval lucite block base. Rounded edges with a cutout to run the cord through. Double sockets...
Lucite
Mohair and Walnut Stools by Karl Springer, C. 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
An exceptional set of vintage 1980s stools by Karl Springer, fully restored by the team at Stamford Modern. Newly reupholstered in luxurious navy blue mohair, these sculptural stools...
Mohair, Walnut
Karl Springer Lucite Dining Table Base, Contemporary, Late 1900s
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary American dining / conference table base constructed from a circular piece of clear lucite with three wide flared legs. (KARL SPRINGE...
Glass
Karl Springer Finely Crafted Vanity Mirror in Polished Steel and Brass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Superb iconic vanity/dressing table mirror in polished steel and brass with magnifier on one side and mirror on the other by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This mirror has been comp...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Original Vintage Karl Springer Executive Black Lacquered Desk
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
This large scale executive desk belonged to the late fashion designer, Geoffrey Beene. Sourced from his Estate in Oyster Bay, NY, it is in good vintage condition, 4 invisible drawer...
Wood
Karl Springer Rain Drum Table w/Concrete Top, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Rain Drum table with concrete top, 1970’s. Concrete top is a knife edge. Beautiful patina. Measures 19.5” tall 26” diameter
Concrete, Copper
Karl Springer 1991 Snakeskin Telephone Table Signed & Dated
By Karl Springer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Karl Springer two-tiered design is commonly referred to as a "Telephone Table", a design he produced in various skins and finishes. This particular table with snakeskin fin...
Brass
Karl Springer Lacquered Goat Skin Desk
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Karl Springer Lacquered Goat Skin Desk
Goatskin
Pair of Karl Springer Lacquered Linen Nightstands, circa 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
An elegant pair of original nightstands designed by Karl Springer, dating to the 1980s. Celebrated for his luxurious materials and refined modernism, Springer frequently employed lac...
Linen, Glass, Lacquer
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.
Lacquer, Mirror
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.
Velvet, Mahogany
5 Foot Square Brass and Copper Heavy Parson Coffee Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This monumental, 5 foot beauty is a custom Square Heavy Parsons Coffee Table by Karl Springer. This table is a custom piece, constructed of SOLID brass with copper inlay. The bulln...
Brass, Copper
The difference between a sofa table and a coffee table is that a sofa table is always behind the sofa and a coffee table is in front of it. Additionally, a sofa table is the same height as the sofa and a coffee table is much shorter.