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: 1980s
Creator: Karl Springer
Documented Karl Springer Set of Three Midcentury Brass and Chrome Candlesticks
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and dramatic set of candlesticks were realized by Karl Springer- one of the most influential and important designers of the 20th century- in America, circa 1985. It features a concave base and a convex top connected by a cylindrical body all in lustrous brass with a chrome banding at the base and pinnacle of the bodies. Two of the candles are the same length, while the third (meant to be positioned in the center) is taller. The candle affixes to the center of the top of each candle stick via a pointed conical pin in chrome. With its austere form and bold modernist lines- inspired by the verve and élan of first rate Art Deco design- these candlesticks are as versatile as they are gorgeous. They would be a winning addition to any style of interior from Classic Mid-Century Modern to contemporary. Excellent condition. The candlesticks are documented on page 17 of the Springer catalogue...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Brass
Pair of Signed Springer Bleached Oak Onassis Chairs, 1983 - Two Pairs Available
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
Beach-chic tones of cream, white, oyster grey and palest taupe make these bleached oak 1980s Karl Springer "Onassis" chairs absolute stunners. Expertly upholstered in a luxe cream bo...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Oak, Bouclé
Large Copper Vase by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An Art Deco inspired large, substantial copper vase on three solid brass disc feet. Designed by Karl Springer in the 1980s.
Category
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Copper
Snake Skin Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Two-tier snakeskin side table by Karl Springer, Signed.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin
Pair of Karl Springer Snake Skin Two-Tier Side Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Karl Springer snake skin two-tier side tables. One with embossed leather label "Karl Springer 1983".
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin
Karl Springer Exceptional Ostrich Skin Coffee Table 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Elegant coffee table covered in ostrich skin with glass top by Karl Springer, American 1970's (signed with metal Karl Springer label on bottom). This table is a beautiful example of...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining Table 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining Table 1980s
This iconic 1980s piece from the renowned Karl Springer Workshop is a masterpiece of metalwork...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Brass and Gunmetal Table Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare pair of gunmetal and brass table lamps design by Karl Pringer in the 1980s. It’s rare to find this as lamps, they are usually candlesticks. They have been newly rewired with n...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s
Presenting an extraordinary discovery from a lavish Palm Beach, Florida estate, we offer a breathtaking pair of custom-designed headboards hailing from the early 1980s. Crafted by the renowned Karl Springer Workshop, these headboards stand offer timeless elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship. Each headboard bears the leather signature tags of the legendary Karl Springer himself, elevating their value to a remarkable level of rarity.
The exquisite combination of materials transcends the ordinary, forging an extraordinary visual symphony. Stealing the spotlight, the headboards boast a captivating ‘black oxide’ and brass finish, bestowing an air of sophistication and mystique upon their surroundings.
Indulge in the magnificence of these headboards’ grand dimensions, which, when ingeniously combined, transform into a magnificent king headboard. With every glance, your eyes will be drawn to the mesmerizing gunmetal and brass details adorning the lustrous brass structure, imparting a sense of regality and grace.
Designed with practicality in mind, these headboards mount...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Metal
Monumental "Saturn" Mirror by Karl Springer, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Pasadena, CA
Enormous "Saturn" mirror in bevelled glass by Karl Springer, 1980s. Minor age appropriate wear (see photos) that in no way detracts from the striking and impressive quality of this m...
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Pair of Karl Springer "Sculpture" Side Tables in Sandstone
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is a rare pair of "Sculpture" tables in sandstone, bronze and glass, 12 inch diameter base By Karl Springer.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Sandstone, Bronze
Pair of Modernist Lacquered Parchment Side Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Unusual pair of lacquered parchment side tables by Karl Springer with interlocking glass top.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Goatskin, Glass
Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful set of eight "Regency" armchairs designed by Karl Springer in original lacquered lacewood.
Category
1980s Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Murano Glass Torchère Floor Lamp by Karl Springer for Seguso
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous Murano scavo glass torchère floor lamp designed by Karl Springer in the 1980s for Seguso Italy.
The lamp is signed by Karl Springer. The lamp takes a regular Edison ligh...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Karl Springer Hand Lacquered Kyoto Box 1984
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Kyoto Box" in double glaze faux mushroom shagreen lacquer with faux ivory inlay detail on matching Stand by Karl Springer, American, 1984. (Shown with origi...
Category
1980s North American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
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...
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Nickel and Lucite Lamp By Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thick lucite stem with incised center channel on each side sites in chromed base with chrome accents. Highest quality construction.
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Lucite
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Waste Paper Basket
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer (1930-1991)
Square waste paper basket with curved sides wrapped entirely
in tan lizard embossed leather.
American, circa 1980.
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather
Karl Springer Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A vintage Karl Springer mirror in laquered frame.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Wall-Mounted "Round Leg Console Table" by Karl Springer (signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Round leg console table", wall-mounted in copper and gunmetal with inset smoked glass top, by Karl Springer, American, 1980s (signed on side "...
Category
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Copper
Set of 6 American Post-War Geometric Side Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 American Post-War Design (1980s) all parchment veneer side chairs with a simple geometric form (att: KARL SPRINGER)
Category
1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Parchment Paper, Wood
Karl Springer Rare "Sculpture Reading Lamp" 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Sculpture Reading Lamp" in brushed stainless steel with two additional lights in feet, all lights with thick solid lucite covers, by Karl Springer, American 1980s. These floor...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Chair in Polished Chrome and Brass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Chair, beautifully crafted in polished brass and chrome with upholstered seat and back, by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Metal has been professionally polished and lacquered and c...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Karl Springer Pair of Gray Lacquered Linen Bedside Tables 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair beautifully made elegant bedside tables in gray lacquered linen with thick glass tops by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These have been newly relacquered by Lobel Modern. A ti...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Linen, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Maitland Smith Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large beautifully crafted hinged box in tessellated fossilized coral with brass inlays around top by Maitland Smith The Phillippines 1980's. Interior is wood. This box would be a bea...
Category
1980s Philippine Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Coral, Brass
Karl Springer Exceptional Rare Serving/Bar Cart in Brass and Lucite, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional serving/bar cart in polished gold-tinted brass with thick lucite top and lower shelf by Karl Springer, American 1980s. This bar cart is on castors so it can easily be mov...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer "Free Form Coffee Table" in Tessellated Travertine 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted large "Free Form Coffee Table" in tessellated travertine with brass trim at bottom by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed on bottom with label which reads "Kar...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Karl Springer Exceptional Game Table in Embossed Lizard 1986 'Signed and Dated'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional "Parsons Style Game Table" in gray embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsmanship of this table is superb. With its clean lines and beautiful color, this table is very elegant.
Reference:
Karl Springer LTD Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s, section “game & backgammon tables”, page 3 shows the rectangular version of this table with a backgammon board with the title “KARL SPRINGER LTD PARSON STYLE BACKGAMMON...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Elegant Pair of "Greek Column Table Lamps" in Solid Lucite, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Greek Column Table Lamps" in solid lucite with brass hardware by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The cords are embedded into the sides of the lamps so they are invisible wh...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Swing Arm Wall Lamps, Polished Brass
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer Swing Arm Wall Lamps, Polished Brass. Pair of heavy swing arm wall lamps with super quality build and Springer's signature coffin pull...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Rare Jansen Style Table in Polished Gunmetal and Brass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Pentagonal Jansen Style Table" in polished gunmetal and gold tinted brass with thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The meticulous craftsmanship a...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Karl Springer "J.M.F. Chair" in Embossed Lizard Leather 1982 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Elegant "JMF Chair" covered in pale celadon embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1982 (signed, “Karl Springer 1982” on leather label on bottom).
Reference: Karl Spri...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer "Bristol Coffee Table" with Shagreen Top 1989 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Bristol Coffee Table" in white leather with inset shagreen on top with bone inlays by Karl Springer, American 1989 (signed and dated with le...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Bone, Leather, Shagreen, Wood
Mark II Game Table in Leather with 4 Chairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is an original Mark II Game table by Karl Springer. It is covered in the original brownish taupe leather with an inset glass top. The four chairs are in the original matching le...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Monumental Artisan Ceramic Urn 1981 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large hand-thrown ceramic urn, undulating form with horizontal channeled top, by ceramicist Plotsky for Karl Springer, American 1981 (signed and dated "Karl Springer 81" on the botto...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Karl Springer Stunning "Dome Top Mirror" in Black Shagreen 1980s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large and exceptional “Dome Top Mirror” with frame in black shagreen and beveled mirror by Karl Springer, American 1980's (metal label on back reads "K...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood, Mirror
Pair of Karl Springer Goatskin Onassis Bar Stools, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Onassis bar stools in lacquered goatskin with hand-stitched black leather seats and brass foot rails by Karl Springer, American, 1980s.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage 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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