Karl Springer Seating
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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Karl Springer
Mid-Century Set of 4 Onassis Bar Stools by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 "Onassis Bar Stools" in a goat skin frame and saddle brown calf skin cushions with a brass foot rail. Designed by Karl Springer.
Made in Ame...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer, Chinese Curved Back Chair, USA, c. 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This documented rare chair by Karl Springer, found in his catalogue of original creations, is made of chrome-plated steel, brass and lucite. The seat cushion is upholstered in a fine...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Set of 4 Karl Springer Goatskin Jmf Chairs W Cheetah Seats
By Karl Springer
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Set of 4 Karl Springer Goatskin Jmf Chairs W Cheetah Seats
Category
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Goatskin, Velvet, Wood
6 Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in Goatskin with Leather Seats
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six original Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in goatskin. The six chairs have been in a one user household and are in great vintage conditi...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Goatskin
Karl Springer Rare "Cobra Stool" in Wrought Iron and Bronze, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Cobra Stool" in hand forged wrought iron and bronze with handstitched leather seat by Karl Springer, American, 1980s. Very few of these were made. The craftsmanship of this pie...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Documented Karl Springer Mid Century Brass Wrapped Armchair in Holly Hunt Fabric
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
This super luxe Mid-Century Modern documented Karl Springer swivel club chair was realized in the United States circa 1985. It offers a sculptural body- full of interesting curvilin...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass
1970s Enrique Garcel Armchair Tessellated Bone Inlay Colombia
By Enrique Garcel, Karl Springer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Enrique Garcel (in the style of Karl Springer + Maitland Smith)
Armchair in tessellated bone
Fabulous sculptural profile
Original vintage preowned condition with new upholstery...
Category
1970s Colombian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Bone, Fabric
Set of Five (5) Karl Springer Grey Lacquered Goatskin Bar Stools
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
Karl Springer set of five JMF grey goatskin lacquers clad bar stools, 1980s. In original preserved condition. Lacquered Goat Skin Clad over Wood. Not signed.
Stored 20+ years in a...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Pouf Ottomans
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Both have been reupholstered in mohair from fishman's fabrics. Featuring a comfortable upholstered seat with a steel base and hidden rubber ball castors for super smooth mo...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Mohair
Karl Springer Pair of Black Leather Arm Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer designed, Pair of black "Bentwood" arm chairs Authentic and documented. Lacquered wood with leather upholstery. Ready for use. The color is black. Good example of this...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Wood, Leather
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 ...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern Lacquered Beige Parchment Side / Dining Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
SET of 8 American Mid-Century Modern dining / side chairs with lacquered beige parchment veneers. (KARL SPRINGER)(PRICED AS SET)
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Parchment Paper
Set of 6 Karl Springer Gold Onassis Chairs with Leather Upholstery
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 Karl Springer Onassis chairs with leather upholstery.
The Iconic Onassis chair is one of Karl Springers most famous designs and the beautiful lines contour to
the body perfectly. The 6 vintage gold finished chairs have age appropriate wear but have been Newly reupholstered in
a luxurious Ivory Holy Hunt...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Pair of "Onassis Bar Stools" in Lacquered Mahogany, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Onassis Bar Stools" in mirror lacquered mahogany with upholstered seats and oxidized bronze footrests by Karl Springer, American 1970s. The beautiful wood and meticulous fin...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Bronze
Karl Springer American Mid-Century Blue Velvet and Steel Souffle Ottoman
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century 'Souffle' ottoman with blue velvet upholstery with a square gilt steel base. (Karl Springer)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Velvet, Upholstery
Pair of Original Karl Springer Chairs, Stainless Steel and Brass
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
One of Karl Springer’s most popular and versatile designs, the Regency Arm Chair features a slightly tilted back for maximum comfort. The frame is mirror polished stainless steel wit...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass, Steel
Pair, Karl Springer Lucite Swivel Function Bar Stools Mid-Century Modern
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern frosted and clear Lucite Bar Stools made in America in the early 1980.
They have a smooth swivel and tilt Function and come with the origina...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Lucite, Faux Leather
Pair of Karl Springer Goatskin Onassis Chairs with Leather Upholstered Seats
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of original Karl Springer Onassis chairs in lacquered goatskin. The pair have been in a one user household and are in great vintage condition. We have six of the same chair in...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Rare Karl Springer Signed Prototype JMF Bench with Tooled Leather
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is the original prototype for Karl Springers JMF bench. Executed in fabulous tooled leather with abstract design, gold leaf brass legs and gold leaf ste...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Steel, Brass
RARE Karl Springer Lacquered Goatskin Stool
By Karl Springer, Aldo Tura
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This rare original Karl Springer stool is amazing. The stool is lacquered goatskin, in a beautiful rusty orange color, this a design piece truly worth coveting.
The stool is in in...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Goatskin, Lacquer
Karl Springer Rare Pair of Cognac Leather and Brass Club Chairs, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer documented rare pair of club chairs in cognac or saddle leather with brass bases, USA, 1980s. This incredibly chic pair of club chairs is more common in the swivel vers...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé Ottomans or Poufs
By Karl Springer
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé ottomans or poufs
Note: Polished steel bases on castors
- showing reflection of floor on bases.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Upholstery
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.
Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Wood, Leather
Mid-Century Ivory Color Console Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage-Modern ivory console table by Karl Springer.
Long sculpted sturdy form, perfect for living room use.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Acrylic
Pair of Signed Springer Bleached Oak Onassis Chairs, 1983 - Two Pairs Available
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
Beach-chic tones of cream, white, oyster grey and palest taupe make these bleached oak 1980s Karl Springer "Onassis" chairs absolute stunners. Expertly upholstered in a luxe cream bo...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Oak, Bouclé
Pair of Oak Onassis Chairs by Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of oak Onassis chairs by Karl Springer, Mid-Century Modern, new upholstery in faux sheepskin.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Oak
Pair of Karl Springer "Souffle Ottoman" in Blue Velvet
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
Original pair of Karl Springer Souffle ottomans/poufs on casters for easy moving. Polished steel base and blue velvet upholstery.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Steel
Karl Springer Polished Steel and Brass Bench
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Original circa 1970s Karl Springer polished stainless steel X-frame bench, with brass details and new black kid glove leather upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Steel
Large-Scale Leather and Brass Ottoman by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A large-scale leather and heavy brass ottoman designed by Karl Springer.
Newly reupholster in a distressed gray leather.
The round heavy brass bottom has hidden wheels, making movi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer "Regency Arm Chair" in Lacewood Veneer, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Regency armchair" in lacewood veneer with leather seat and back by Karl Springer, American, 1970s.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Vintage Karl Springer JMF Armchair (Gilt) by Enrique Garcel for Jimeco
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful Vintage Karl Springer style Chair by Jimeco. Designed by Enrique Garcel.
Applied Gold Leaf shows some loss as it stands right now.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Karl Springer JMF Mid Century Modern Raffia Side Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Karl Springer Jmf Mid Century Modern Raffia Side Chairs
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Raffia, Wood
Karl Springer "Souffle Ottoman" with Bronze Base 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Souffle Ottoman" newly reupholstered with bronze base and hidden castors by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Newly upholstered by Lobel Modern. Bronze has...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Bronze
Karl Springer Elegant Polaris Desk Chair, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted "Polaris Desk Chair" in celadon, gold and red fabric with floral motif and mahogany legs by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This chair is very elegant and extremely comfortable.
Reference:
Karl Springer Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s, section titled “seating”, on page 20 is a photo of this model titled “KARL SPRINGER LTD POLARIS…CHAIR...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Karl Springer seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Karl Springer seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Karl Springer seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 101 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Karl Springer were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Charles Hollis Jones, Ward Bennett, and Warren Platner. Prices for Karl Springer seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,250 and can go as high as $75,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,000.
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