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Karl Springer Lighting

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
Karl Springer Lucite Floor Lamp, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Lucite floor lamp, circa 1970. Chrome base.
Category

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

Materials

Lucite

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...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

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...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

Signed Karl Springer Table Lamp with a Sandblasted Glass Base, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Vienna, AT
An impressive and rare table lamp by Karl Springer in the 1970s. Has a beautiful sandblasted glass base. In excellent condition, has a refurbished lampshade. Signed on bottom.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Glass

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...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Murano Glass Torchère Floor Lamp by Karl Springer for Seguso
By Karl Springer, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous Murano scavo glass torchère floor lamp designed by Karl Springer in the 1980s for Seguso Italy. The lamp is signed by Karl Springer. The lamp takes a regular Edison ligh...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Karl Springer Lucite Floor Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Lucite column floor lamp with a square brass base and double pull chain sockets, designed by Karl Springer. Rewired for use in the USA. Shade not included.
Category

20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Sandblasted Lucite Torchere by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of monumental torchiere floor lamps. These oversized lamps were designed by Karl Springer for Karl Springer Ltd, circa 1970s for bespoken spacious interior as statement lighting. Will look amazing in a large living room or dinging room...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Pair of Round Bronze Table Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of lamps by Karl Springer. A rate pair, being of smaller diameter than usual. Retain original shades. Shades measure 19” bottom diameter, 12” tall.
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Karl Springer Large "Candlestick Table Lamp" in Brushed Nickel 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large "candlestick table lamp" in brushed nickel with gunmetal accents and polished chrome hardware by Karl Springer, American 1980's. A very elegant Springer design. This lamps has ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Nickel

Pair of Karl Springer Modern Citron Goatskin Sphere Table Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Modern sphere citron goatskin table lamps. (KARL SPRINGER LTD) (PRICED AS PAIR) (NOTE: lamp shades can be purhased separately) Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century North American Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal

Lucite and Chrome Table Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980s glamorous clear Lucite and polish chrome table lamp by renowned American designer Karl Springer. Newly rewired and new oatmeal linen shade. The acrylic shows some crazing from ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

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...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

Pair Karl Springer Stacked Lucite Lamps, 1960
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Karl Springer Stacked Lucite Table Lamps, 1960 Shades included. Shades are string shades there is no lining in them since they are made of string. Lamps measure 12.5" tall to to...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Three-Light Wall Sconces
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Three-Light Wall Sconces
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal

Karl Spinger 'Sculpture' Brass Table Lamp, c 1980, Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegantly crafted, this rare 'Sculpture' table lamp by Karl Springer embodies the essence of his meticulous artistry. This example is fashioned from hefty brass, crafted in the 1980s...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Karl Springer Modern Pearl Grey Goatskin Sphere Table Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Modern sphere pearl grey goatskin table lamps. (KARL SPRINGER LTD) (PRICED AS PAIR) (NOTE: lamp shades can be purhased separately) Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age ...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer Exceptional Chrome and Brass Swing-Arm Floor Lamp 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Meticulously crafted swing-arm floor lamp in polished chrome and brass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The quality of construction of this lamp is superb. It has been cleaned and...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Karl Springer Rare and Iconic "Pagoda Lamp" in Python and Bronze 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Stunning and rare "Pagoda Lamp" in brown and black python with bronze base, trim, shade interior and lighting assembly by Karl Springer, American 1970's. Because the inside of the s...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Karl Springer "Sculpture Desk Lamp" in Polished Chrome 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Sculpture Desk Lamp" in polished chrome with brass accents and 2 bulbs by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on side). This lamp is a tribute to Springer’s metic...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass, Chrome

20th Century American Tall Frosted Lucite Helix Floor Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A tall vintage Mid-Century Modern American stacked helix spiral staircase floor lamp made of hand crafted clear frosted lucite glass with a new white shade. Designed and produced by ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite, Glass

Brass and Lucite Karl Springer Art Deco Table Lamps 28.5 high
By Karl Springer
Located in Pasadena, CA
Brass and Luite Karl Springer Art Deco Table lamps The interrior of the stem is a brass that extends from the base upward to the diffusor styled top shades. Each layer allow for ligh...
Category

1970s American Adirondack Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Table Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Table lamp designed by Karl Springer. These beautiful oval table lamps are typical for the Karl Springer Design and has dark black color with blue stripes inlay.  
Category

20th Century North American Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lacquer

Karl Springer Lucite and Chrome Table Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Wayne, NJ
A stunning conversation table lamp designed by Karl Springer. It features a solid clear oval lucite block base. Rounded edges with a cutout to run the cord through. Double sockets...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

Karl Springer Floor Lamp in Deep Brown Crocodile with Brass Accents 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted floor lamp in deep brown and black embossed crocodile leather with polished brass base, trim and hardware by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This floor lamp is ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Lucite Table Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Karl Springer Lucite table Lamps Polished Brass Lamp Hardware and fittings New Replaced shades If you want the shades,they will ha...
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

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 Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Brass & Lucite "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This gleaming and bold Pair of Mid-Century Modernist "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" in Brass and Frosted Lucite are by the esteemed artist and designer Karl Springer and originate from t...
Category

1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Rare Pair of "Lighthouse Lamps" in Blue Shagreen and Nickel 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare "Lighthouse Table Lamps" in exquisite blue-gray shagreen with polished nickel bases and shades by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Karl Springer only worked with the most...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Nickel

Karl Springer Exquisite Pair of Floor Lamps in Black Lacquer and Brass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of floor lamps in high gloss black lacquer with polished brass inlays, base and hardware and original parchment shades by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These lamps...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Matching Pair of Karl Springer Modern Chrome & Lucite Torchiere Floor Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A matching pair of Torchieres by Karl Springer circa 1980s. These feature mirror polished chrome with thick acrylic accents. Base diameter is 11.5 inches. Top shade Diameter is 16 in...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer Rare Antique Gold Leaf and Lucite Torchere, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare torchere in antique gold leaf with lucite accents at top and bottom by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Newly rewired by Lobel Modern with brown silk cord and new foot swich. The ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Karl Springer "Bullet Up Light" in Polished Chrome 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Bullet Up Light" in polished chrome with honeycomb diffuser by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This is a meticulously crafted accent light.
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

White Acrylic and Chrome Table Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980s White acrylic and polish chrome table lamp by Karl Springer. Newly rewired and new shade. It takes two 75w max Edison light bulbs.
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modernist Tessellated Shagreen Geometric Table Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This remarkably scaled and materially stunning Mid-Century Modernist Large Geometric Table Lamp in Tessellated Shagreen is by the esteemed artist and designer Karl Springer and origi...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Shagreen

Karl Springer Deep Green Snakeskin and Brass Floorlamp, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Are you or are you feeling like a rockstar? This is the perfect floor lamp for your space. This is one iconic floor lamp covered in green snakeskin with solid brass base and hardware...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exuberant example of Karl Springers' lighting
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Style Karl Springer "Spun Shaped" Sconces, Pair
By Karl Springer
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Art Deco Style Karl Springer "Spun Shaped" wall sconces of frosted lucite and chromed metal. Dimensions: 11" H x 25" W x 12" D. Dealer: ...
Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

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. Highest quality construction.
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Lucite

Karl Springer "Greek Column Table Lamp" in Solid Lucite, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Greek Column Table Lamp" in solid lucite with brass hardware by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The cord is embedded into the side of the lamp, so it is invisible when looking from ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

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 Lighting

Materials

Steel

Karl Springer "Spun Shaped Torchere" in Gunmetal and Brass, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare artisan made "Spun Shaped Torchere" in gunmetal and gold-tinted brass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The quality of the craftsmanship is off the charts. Reference: Karl Springer LTD Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s in the section “lighting” on page 11...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Gold, Brass, Nickel

Pair of Lucite and Chrome Floor Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of beautiful Lucite and chrome floor lamps designed and manufactured by Karl Springer in the early 1970s for a private home in NY. The lamps came from the original owners and a...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer Vermicelli Ball Lamp, Coromandel Circa 1979
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Karl Springer 1979 Gold & Silver Leaf Incised Black Wood Ball Table Lamp This table lamp, designed by the renowned Karl Springer in 1979,...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Wood

Pair Lucite Acrylic Lamps by Karl Springer for Hansen
By Karl Springer, Hansen Lighting Co.
Located in Fraser, MI
Pair Lucite and Chrome Lamps signed Hansen New York. Designed by Karl Springer. Lucite and Chrome construction.
Category

1970s Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer for Seguso Murano Glass Torchère Floor Lamp
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Karl Springer
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Karl Springer for Seguso Murano Glass Torchère Floor Lamp
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Karl Springer Chrome and Original Purple String Shade Ball Lamps, 1980s
By Karl Springer, Leviton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This stunning and very rare pair of iconic midcentury "Ball" lamps was designed in the 1980s by illustrious American designer Karl Springer. This pair features two hemispheres of pol...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass, Chrome

20th Century German Vintage Frosted Lucite Table, Desk Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern German frosted acrylic Lucite table lamp with a white shade. The clear desk light was designed by Karl Springer, featuring a on...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Lucite and Chrome Table Lamp by Karl Springer, c. 1970's
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern lucite lamp comprised of stacked and beveled blocks of solid lucite. Fitted with chrome metal stem with two lights and two pull chains. Includes linen drum shade ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer Rare Pair of "Lighthouse Lamps" in Shagreen and Brass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare "Lighthouse Table Lamps" clad in gray shagreen with polished brass bases and shades by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The color and texture of the shagreen is exquisite...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern Brass, Gunmetal & Lucite Floor Lamp America
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
6 feet tall amazing and rare floor lamp by Karl Springer made in American in the 1970s. The Bronze Finish gunmetal stem is covered in Lucite with Brass De...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of Signed Karl Springer Table Lamps
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is a phenomenal pair of SIGNED Karl Springer sculptural, wide and heavy lamps shaped as a rectangular block at the base and as a ninety degree angle semi-tunnel in shade. Both ...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Karl Springer "J.M.F. Floor Lamp" in Lizard with Matching Leather Shade 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"J.M.F. Floor Lamp" with gently curving shaft in black lizard with polished brass base and hardware with black leather shade by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The matching shade is ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Brass

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 Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer "Oval Table Lamp" In Black Granite with Lavastone Finish 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
“Oval Table Lamp” in solid black granite with lavastone finish and chrome hardware by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This is a solid block of granite and it has been impeccably fini...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Granite, Chrome

Karl Springer Impressive Stacked Lucite Table Lamp 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Iconic table lamp with stacked solid lucite slabs with radius corners and chrome hardware and double socket assembly by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This lamp comes with the orig...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Karl Springer lighting 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 lighting, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original lighting 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 lighting by Chapman Manufacturing Company, Robert Sonneman, and George Kovacs. Prices for Karl Springer lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $428 and can go as high as $42,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,500.

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