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.
Mid-Century Modernist Glass Ice Bucket Signed Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This rare and materially exquisite Mid-Century Modernist Glass Ice Bucket Signed Karl Springer originates from the United States, Circa 1980. This piece features a minimal body that ...
Glass
Hollywood Regency Style Silver Plate Champagne Ice Bucket
By Sheffield
Located in New York, NY
Chic Hollywood Regency style silver plate champagne, ice bucket, in excellent, original, clean and ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent wit...
Silver Plate
$5,550 / set
H 8 in W 1 in D 0.25 in
Gio Ponti Modernist Flatware 66 Pieces Italian Mid Century Modern Fraser
By Gio Ponti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist Flatware Set, designed by Gio Ponti for Krupp and retailed by Fraser's, Italy, circa 1950's. Each piece is signed. This is a complete vintage set with a five piece place s...
Stainless Steel
Aldo Tura Ice Bucket and Carafe
By Aldo Tura
Located in Hanover, MA
Aldo Tura footed ice server with lid and mercury glass lined carafe, both in tomato red dyed lacquered goatskin with gilt brass hardware and embellishments. Ice bucket is 8" high ...
$1,709 / item
H 8.86 in W 8.27 in D 13.19 in
Ghidini 1961 Double O Ice Bucket in Stainless Steel by Richard Hutten
By Richard Hutten, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Ice bucket in brass For the double O champagne cooler Hutten used his iconic loop shape. The O shaped handle give a playful but chique touch to the cooler. James will love it. Ma...
Stainless Steel
Signed Mid-Century Scheier Pottery Serving Dish
By Edwin and Mary Scheier
Located in Forney, TX
Early and rare hand-thrown ceramic serving dish by mid-century modern masters, Edwin and Mary Scheier. With curved handles and a swirl design, this fabulous hand-crafted pottery ston...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,309
H 1.19 in W 18.51 in D 13.39 in
Dior Home Ice Effect Lucite Tray, Italian Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite 1970s Italian lucite tray featuring a mesmerizing ice-effect finish, inspired by Gabriella Crespi’s iconic Dior Home designs. This stunning piece seamlessly blends vintage ...
Lucite
1970s Art Deco Revival Geometric Lucite Ice Bucket
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
Located in New York, NY
1970s Art Deco geometric Lucite ice bucket has inner Lucite liner for ice and Lucite top. Signed Heinz.
Acrylic
$381Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Danish Teak Ice Bucket and Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Mid Century
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Danish Teak Ice Bucket and Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Mid Century. Ice Bucket of flairing form with round lid, tapering lugs joined by a curved handle and contrasting ...
Teak
$501 / item
H 6.5 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Studio Opi Midcentury Acrylic Cubic Italian Ice Bucket for Di Cini & Nils, 1974
By Cini & Nils, Studio O.P.I., Mario Melocchi and Franco Bettonica
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid century smoked acrylic cubic ice bucket for Di Cini & Nils. This amazing item was designed by the Italian Studio Opi, and specifically by Franco Bettonica and Mario Mel...
Acrylic, Plexiglass
$1,366Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 9.85 in D 7.88 in
French Christople Ice Bucket in Original Patina with Aries
By Christofle
Located in Milano, IT
Christofle silver metal ice bucket with band decoration along the edge and rams heads. Splendid in its workmanship and even more splendid is its patina, evident and very elegant. T...
Metal
Vintage Coastal Cane Wrapped Barware Set Pitcher and Ice Bucket
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A classic vintage coastal barware set featuring a finely hand-wrapped cane exterior over a pitcher and matching ice bucket with polished stainless steel interiors. Clean, timeless fo...
Stainless Steel
1960s Rosewood Ice Bucket by Richard Nissan/1960s Danish Ice Bucket
By Richard Nissen
Located in London, Lambeth
Midcentury ice bucket by Richard Nissen - In stunning rosewood with acrylic liner Dimensions 21.59cm diameter 14.61 cm high - Made in Denmark circa 1960.
Rosewood
$2,650
H 6.25 in W 12 in D 5 in
Hammered Silver-Plated Ice Bucket by Emilia Castillo, Mexican Modernism
By Emilia Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant hand-hammered silver-plated ice bucket designed and crafted by Emilia Castillo in Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico. Made of brass with a silver-plated finish, the piece showcases an o...
Silver Plate, Brass
$1,000
H 8.27 in W 9.06 in D 11.82 in
Ice Bucket in Goatskin and Brass attribute Aldo Tura, 1950s, Italy
By Aldo Tura
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this Ice bucket attributed to the Italian designer Aldo Tura in green goatskin and brass details. signed ITALY.
Goatskin
Baccarat Ice Bucket
Located in Houston, TX
Baccarat crystal ice bucket adorned in the iconic Paris pattern. These vertical cuts on the crystal high light the silver handle. This timeless piece comes ...
Crystal