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 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
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
Karl Springer Scavo Glass Floor Lamp, Seguso, 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Scavo glass floor lamp, Seguso 1980. Murano Scavo glass torchere floor lamp designed by Karl Springer for Seguso, Italy, circa ...
Glass
Lacquered goatskin two drawer desk
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Lacquered goatskin two drawer desk by Karl Springer.
Goatskin
Polish Stainless Steel Wastebasket by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous 1980’s solid polish stainless steel wastebasket by Karl Springer. Out of a Steve Chase designed estate. We also have one available in pol...
Stainless Steel
Gunmetal and Chrome Floor Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous 1970s gunmetal and chrome floor lamp by American renowned designer Karl Springer. The lamp has been newly rewired and has a new chocolate brown faux lizard shade. Overal...
Metal, Chrome
Karl Springer Large Vanity Mirror in Brass and Chrome, USA, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer large modernist vanity or table mirror in polished brass and chrome with one side a magnifying mirror and the other side a standard mirror...
Brass, Chrome
Karl Springer Large Double Table Mirror, Brass and Nickel 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular mirror by Karl Springer. Substantial yet graceful design, achieved by the use of sumptuous and modern materials, an icon by any standard. The double mirror can be tilted....
Brass, Nickel
Important Pair of Patinated Silvered Copper and Brass Urns by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Important Pair of Art Deco Style Patinated silvered copper and brass urns by Karl Springer. Reference Karl Springer Ltd. Catalog 1977- 1994, Tom Langevin, unpaginated. Lobel modern a...
Copper
$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
$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
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
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
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
$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 Scroll Table in Embossed Lizard 1988 (Signed & Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully crafted embossed lizard leather scroll table by Karl Springer, 1988 (signed with label on bottom "Karl Springer 1988") Matching pair of chairs available separately.
Leather
Pair Rare Karl Springer Onyx Top and Brass End Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare oval onyx brass side tables by Karl Springer. Heavy brass tables with an onyx beveled insert top. One table is slightly taller and wider. Taller: 17.75H x 17.25W x 15D....
Onyx, Brass
Karl Springer Alligator Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer embossed leather mirror. Original surface. Distinct Alligator pattern. Leather label present.
Leather
$12,700 / set
Karl Springer Pair of Souffle Ottomans
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Karl Springer Souffle Ottomans / Poufs. The bases of the ottomans are brushed steel and upholstered in satin with a hand-painted abstract patt...
Steel
Karl Springer Rare Large Painted Goatskin Jewelry Box, USA, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer rare and exquisite large lacquered painted goatskin jewelry box, divided into compartments inside, and completely lined inside and on the bottom with brown felt ending ...
Goatskin, Felt, Wood
Karl Springer Shagreen Pedestal/Stand
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
A wonderfully crafted shagreen pedestal stand with a squared stepped base with four rolled Art Deco style arms finishing in a circular top covered in shagreen H: 43 inches: W: 15 inc...
Shagreen Stingray
$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 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
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 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
Karl Springer fortuni covered Rolling Two-Tier Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
Karl Springer signed and dated, muted green and black covered black Foo Dog printed animal two-tier table, with original brass casters.
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
$12,000 / set
Set of 6 American Post-War Geometric Side Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 American Post-War Design (1980s) all parchment veneer side chairs with a simple geometric form (att: KARL SPRINGER)
Parchment Paper, Wood
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.