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 "Bristol Side Table" in Black Cobra 1980s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Artisan crafted "Bristol Side Table" in black cobra with drawer by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed with metal label in drawer "Karl Springer"). This table is meticulously craf...
Animal Skin, Wood, Glass
Karl Springer Pair of Candle Holders in Tessellated Coral 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional pair of artisan candle holders in tessellated coral with bronze bases by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Sculptural forms in beautiful materials. Measures: W: 3.5 inch...
Coral, Bronze
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...
Mirror
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Magnificent Pair Karl Springer Marbleized Blue Lacquer Lucite Table Lamps, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent and rare pair of Karl Springer marbleized blue lacquer and Lucite bubble table lamps, USA, 1970s. Retains Springer's original marbleiz...
Chrome
Karl Springer Set of 4 Candle Holders in Travertine and Brass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional set of 4 candle holders in tessellated stalactite travertine and polished brass by Karl Springer, American 1980's (retains original showroom labels on bottoms). This set ...
Travertine, Brass
Karl Springer Wall-Mounted Retractable Vanity/Shaving Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
A rare, large wall-mounted retractable shaving or makeup mirror by Karl Springer. Crafted in heavy polished chrome with brass accents, this mirror features a beautifully engineered ...
Brass, Chrome
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...
Brass, Steel
Polished Brass Wastebasket by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous 1980s polish brass and black lacquered wastebasket by Karl Springer. Constructed of solid brass with the inside black lacquered. Newly professionally polished and lacquer...
Brass
Karl Springer "Sculpture Table" in Sandstone and Brass, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
"Sculpture" table by Karl Springer in sandstone, brass screw cap and 1" thick glass, 12 inch diameter base By Karl Springer. This table is very heavy at over 200 lbs!
Sandstone, Brass
Mid-Century Side Tables by Karl Springer, Ebonized Metal Frames, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century American Modern (1970s) square form end / side table frames comprised of 4 cylindrical ebonized metal legs with brass caps and anchored by 4 horizontal ebonized m...
Brass
Magnificent Karl Springer Waterfall Console Table in Gray Goatskin Mid-century
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning waterfall coffee table with scrolled legs by Karl Springer in Gray Goatskin parchment finished high gloss. The detail pay to every aspect of this design is truly amazing, th...
Goatskin
Karl Springer Mid-Century Blue Velvet Souffle Ottoman, Gilt Steel Base
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century 'Souffle' ottoman with blue velvet upholstery with a square gilt steel base. (Karl Springer)
Upholstery, Velvet
Clear Murano Glass Candleholder by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1980s hand blown Murano glass candleholder designed by Karl Springer. Hand signed by Karl Springer (see detail photos). Measuremen...
Murano Glass
MCM Karl Springer Brass Base Pouf Ottoman Newly Reupholstered
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Karl Springer Brass Base Pouf Ottoman Newly Reupholstered in Mohair Elegant mid-century modern pouf ottoman by Karl Springer, newly reupholstered in luxurious c...
Mohair
Signed Karl Springer Ostrich Embossed Leather Nightstand - Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
This iconic and rare waterfall design vintage side table by Karl Springer features a recessed drawer and 3/4 inch thick glass shelf (chip to glass on backside - not visible). Can be ...
Leather, Glass
Karl Springer Pewter Finish Candlesticks
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Pewter and Brass Candlesticks Impressive size Original surface and Plexiglass Wax Protectors
Metal
Karl Springer Tulip Armchair
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer Tulip armchair. The chair is gilt leather over wood. Signed underneath.
Wood, Leather
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 Clear and Marbleized Brown Bubble Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful rare pair of Karl Springer clear and cased brown Lucite bubble lamps. A central stem in chrome hold two-light sockets.
Acrylic
$1,120Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Solid Lucite Karl Springer Greek Column Table Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Doraville, GA
A solid lucite Greek column table lamp with chrome hardware designed by Karl Springer, probably from the mid 1980's. As with all of Karl Springer designs, the lamp has top quality co...
Lucite
Karl Springer Pair of Souffle Ottomans in Ivory Bouclé and Brass, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer pair of soufflé ottomans with thick rounded ivory bouclé cushions on rounded square lacquered brass bases with caster wheels. The brass bases are in very good original ...
Brass
Set of Four "Regency" Armchairs in Lacewood by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four regency armchairs in lacewood with original leather designed by Karl Springer for a Steven Chase interior.
Leather
Karl Springer Large Lacquered Goatskin or Parchment Beveled Wall Mirror, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer large exquisite rectangular wall mirror with lacquered goatskin frame and beveled mirror, USA, 1970s. This exquisite mirror has a simpl...
Goatskin, Wood
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Karl Springer Snake-Textured Leather and Bronze Regency Modern Cocktail Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Karl Springer Snake-textured leather (or leatherette) and bronze Regency modern cocktail table. This is an original Karl Springer piece and retains...
Leather, Glass
Karl Springer Sculpture Table Sandstone Cantilever 1980s Glass Brass Modern
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Karl Springer "Sculpture" table in sandstone. This table will have a new glass-the one picture has a large chip.
Sandstone
Karl Springer Lacquered Snakeskin Decorative Box
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A scrupulously-crafted, decorative trinket or jewelry box by Karl Springer comprising a rectangular body with a domed, hinged lid and a suede-lined interior. The outside is wrapped e...
Suede, Animal Skin
Karl Springer Brass and Onyx Top Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare oval onyx brass side table by Karl Springer. Heavy brass table with an onyx beveled insert top.
Onyx, Brass
Pair of Shagreen and Tessellated Side Tables by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Shagreen and Tessellated Side Tables by Karl Springer. Signed: Karl Springer
Shagreen
Pair of Vintage Acrylic and Brass Table Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in London, GB
An extremely stylish and highly sought after pair of vintage acrylic and brass table lamps by Karl Springer. They were made in USA, they date from around the 1970’s. They are of out...
Brass
$16,000 / set
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.
Lacquer
Large Murano Green Glass Vase Designed by Karl Springer, Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful, vintage, large green Murano glass vase designed by Karl Springer in the 1980's. "Karl Springer" is etched on the bottom of the vase. The vase stands approximately 21 1...
Murano Glass
$3,800 / set
Pair of Etruscan Wall Sconces Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of wall Etruscan sconces designed and manufactured by Karl Springer, circa 1970s. Made of chromed steel with opaque Lucite. Great proportion with modern materials and silhouet...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of lacquered Shagreen Side Tables by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of lacquered shagreen side tables by Karl Springer
Parchment Paper
Karl Springer Circular Wall Mirror, Italian, Mid-Century Modern, 90cm
By Karl Springer
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This Karl Springer circular wall mirror from the 1970s represents the essence of luxury design, blending sculptural elegance with the refined craftsmanship that defined Springer’s wo...
Mirror
Karl Springer American Mid-Century Lucite Square Top Table Lamp, 1950s
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century lucite square top table with a floor lamp center post (KARL SPRINGER)
Lucite
Unique Colourful Lacquered Fabric Mirror by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Unique colourful lacquered fabric mirror by Karl Springer Provenance: Property from the personal collection of Jeff Schuerholz of Fat Chance, the iconic Los Angeles store for the Ho...
Fabric
Pair Of Signed Karl Springer 1987 JMF Lizard Print Leather Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer Pair of JMF Chairs Signed 1987 Pair of Lizard Print Leather Arm Chairs Brown Tones with Abstract Patchwork Accents In overall Very Good Condition with some visibl...
Leather, Wood
Glamorous Vintage Karl Springer Grasscloth Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Fabulous vintage Karl Springer grasscloth dining table restored and refinished in a beautiful teal-black lacquer. Square top with bullnose edge a...
Metal
Price Upon Request
A Large Round Python-Skin Mirror signed Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
A Large Round Python-Skin Mirror signed Karl Springer, USA, 1985 A superb large round mirror by Karl Springer in pink faded to mauve python skin. Two concentric circles create a 6" ...
Leather
Price Upon Request
Karl Springer Red And Black Custom Striped Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
Karl Springer Rare and unusual Custom red and black striped Table one of a kind,with original Label and customers name Circa 1960's (Karl Springer 1931...
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.