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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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Creator: Karl Springer
Recognized Seller Listings
Karl Springer Python Skin Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This can be used as either a bench or a table. A classic Franc 1940s design reimagined by Karl Springer, Label below
Category

Late 20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture

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

Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer Bullfrog Skin Box, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural lidded box covered in bullfrog skin with brass hinge by Karl Springe, American, 1970s.
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin

Pair of Sconces in Patinated Bronze and Lucite by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of patinated bronze sconces with illuminating sand-blasted Lucite inserts by Karl Springer, American, 1980s. This is the large version of these sconces. These sconces give off a lot of up light since each has 2 bulbs. They are stunning Springer sconces.
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Pair of "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair 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 Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare Karl Springer Signed Faux Crocodile Desk or Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous signed Karl Springer dining table of white faux crocodile leather with chrome accents. Bearing wood Karl Springer Ltd plaque on underside. Provenance: From a private Tex...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Nickel

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 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.
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Mirror

Table Lamp in Brown Whip Snake by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp covered in brown whip snake with bronze hardware by Karl Springer, American, 1980s. A clean timeless form in an exotic luxurious material. Classic Karl Springer.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Karl Springer Python Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular coffee table covered in real brown python with polished steel banding on the legs.
Category

20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Steel

Karl Springer Exceptional "Art Moderne Coffee Table" in Satin Bronze 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional "Art Moderne Coffee Table" in satin bronze with polished brass inlays and an inset glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The Art Moderne series is one of Springer’...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Karl Springer Pewter Gunmetal Ponyhair Bench
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Pewter Finish Bench Simplicity and detail Clean original surface on metal Zebra patterned ponyhair An identical Stool is pictured in a Karl Springer Showroom Catalog
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer Rare "Mushroom Table Lamp" in Polished Brass 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Mushroom Table Lamp" in polished brass with 3 bulbs by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The shade was hand-spun by metal artisans. An iconic Karl Springer design. Brass has b...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Large Art Deco Urn with Copper Leaf 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large and exceptional Art Deco urn in bronze with applied copper leaf and blue enamel with disc feet by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The scale and opulent colors make this urn a s...
Category

1980s American Art Deco Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Enamel

Karl Springer Chinese Leather Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Chinese Scroll Table Signed and date on leather label 1 available 6500.00
Category

20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather

Karl Springer Pair of Sumptuous Leather Swivel Chairs 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of beautifully crafted swivel chairs with channeled solid mahogany bases by Karl Springer, American late-1980s. These chairs were recently reupholstered in taupe lambskin. They...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lambskin, Mahogany

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

Karl Springer Gilded Waste Basket 1987 (Signed and Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Waste basket, gilded with flare top, by Karl Springer, American 1987 (label on bottom reads "Karl Springer 1987"). These accessories were custom pieces and quite rare.
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Karl Springer Rare Pair of "Chinese Cube Style Tables" 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of "Chinese Cube Style Tables" in artisan faux goatskin lacquer by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The size of these tables makes them ideal as...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer Python Side Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Karl Springer end tables Python skin over wood Diminutive size and classic form.
Category

1980s Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Python

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 Rare and Exceptional Large Sea Shell Mirror 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare large and exceptional wall-hanging arc top mirror covered with sea shells arranged in a beautiful concentric pattern by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This piece is meticulous...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Shell, Mirror, Wood

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 Pair of Superbly Crafted Swing Arm Wall Lamps 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of beautifully made swing-arm wall lamps in polished chrome and brass, each with 2 bulbs, by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Each comes with a back mounting plate. The craftsman...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Brass

Karl Springer X Bench
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer X Form Bench Original Fur seat.
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

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 "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 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 "Souffle Ottoman" with Bronze Base 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Souffle Ottoman" newly reupholstered with bronze base and hidden castors by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Newly upholstered by Lobel Modern. Bronze has...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Karl Springer Rare Dining Table in Embossed Leather and Lucite, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare and early dining table with base and top covered in pie-cut 2-tone embossed leather with solid lucite supports by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This table has been completely restored. The bottom lacquer color is blue and the top lacquer color is white. The meticulous craftsmanship and superb materials are the hallmarks of Karl Springer’s designs. Reference: Karl Springer LTD small paper catalog published in the 1970’s, this model is shown on page 35...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather, Lucite, Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer "Metal Ball Lamp" in Polished Chrome 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Metal Ball Lamp" in polished chrome with pleated silver shade by Karl Springer, American 1980's This artisan lamp is impeccably crafted. Reference: K...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Chrome

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 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

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 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 Rare "Cobra Stool" in Wrought Iron and Bronze, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Cobra Stool" in hand forged wrought iron and bronze with handstitched leather seat by Karl Springer, American, 1980s. Very few of these were made. The craftsmanship of this pie...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

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 "Bullet" Up Light in Gunmetal, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Bullet" up light in gunmetal by Karl Springer, American, 1970s. This comes with the original honeycomb diffuser. This up light is beautifully made.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer Pair of Table Lamps In Bronze With Black Cobra ca 1972
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of meticulously crafted table lamps with black cobra on all sides with bronze fittings and bone accents on tops by Karl Springer, American ca 1972. Springer was a master at usi...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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, JMF “C” Benches
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of Jean-Michel Frank inspired “C” benches designed and made by Karl Springer feature elegant curved polished stainless steel legs and newly...
Category

Late 20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

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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