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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
Dealer: Modest Designs
Karl Springer Pair of Petite Hand-Lacquered Chest of Drawers
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptional and possibly unique pair of Karl Springer commodes with inset glass tops over three rounded drawers on an inset plinth. What sets this set apart is the beautiful hand...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair Karl Springer Lucite Table Lamps with Original Polished Steel Shades
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare pair of large solid clear acrylic oval block lamps with the original mirror-polished steel shades and diffusers. Cords are embedded in the lucite blocks, which support a double ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Steel

Karl Springer Lucite Table Lamp with Original Polished Steel Shade
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare solid clear acrylic oval block lamp with the original mirror-polished steel shade. Cord is embedded in the lucite block, which supports a double cluster socket and adjustable ri...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair Karl Springer Crocodile Leather Clad Parsons Side Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Uncommon early pair of Karl Springer's iconic crocodile printed leather Parsons side or occasional tables. Identical in size, one is clad in a fun hot fuchsia while the other is a mo...
Category

1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather

Karl Springer Faux Malachite Polyhedron Occasional Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare faceted table consisting of triangles and squares, the surface is beautifully hand-lacquered in a faux-malachite pattern. Originally used with a glass top as a coffee table, the...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

Complimentary Pair Karl Springer Lucite and Gun Metal Torchiere Floor Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gunmetal mirror finish shade and base with clear Lucite stem set in bronze cuffs, circa 1970s, American. These are from two different production runs, ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lucite

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. High quality construction.
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Karl Springer Lucite and Brass Floor Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall incised lucite column on heavy brass base with brass cap and double socket cluster.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

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Italian Red Lacquer Commode Chest of Drawers
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Pair Karl Springer Stacked Lucite Lamps, 1960
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Stacked Lucite Table Lamp by Karl Springer
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Designed by Karl Springer in the 1970s, this striking table lamp alternates stacked discs and wedges of Lucite along a chrome rod from which extend two light sockets.
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MCM Lucite Torchiere Floor Lamp by Optique
By Optique
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Lighting Acquisitions Of AMCM 1980's Lucite Torchiere Mid Century Modern Floor Lamp by Optique F...
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Metal

Vaughn Occasional Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Hand applied lacquer paired with richly stained walnut. Color options: Emerald, Aubergine, Ocean (or send your custom choice) Other options: Choose between either mostly ...
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2010s American Karl Springer Furniture

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Pair of Karl Springer Crocodile Leather Clad Parsons End Tables
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Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp with String Shade by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Toledo, OH
A fantastic table lamp by Karl Springer. This great lamp features three round plaster compressed spheres separated by two Lucite spacers. It has a two light cluster socket with Sprin...
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Karl Springer Red Leather Coffee Table, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Square red leather clad coffee table with brass feet by Karl Springer from the 1980s. This piece has been professionally restored. Brass feet can be polished but left with slight pat...
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Karl Springer Style Table Lamp
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Previously Available Items
Karl Springer Brass and Gunmetal Coffee Table, Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two-tier cocktail table in dark mirror polished steel with brass accents, and original bronze glass. Classic Springer design with the expected high quality construction. Stamped sign...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Liquid Lucite Column Table Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two large Lucite column table lamps composed of three stacked rectangular blocks with nickel fittings and original parchment shades, circa 1970s.
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Pair of Oak Onassis Chairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original oxblood red mahogany stained chairs with complimentary red and green silk fabric seats. Wonderful mix of color and form.
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Mahogany

Karl Springer Leather and Brass Desk
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great early example of Springer's luxurious modernism. Simple brass frame with camel leather top and drawers. Two drawers and leveling feet.
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Karl Springer Leather and Brass Desk
Karl Springer Leather and Brass Desk
H 29.5 in W 50 in D 26 in
Karl Springer Lucite Table Lamp--Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large stacked acrylic cubes with chromed hardware and double cluster socket. Great original condition. Signed on base.
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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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