Karl Springer Chairs

The Berlin-born, New York–based designer Karl Springer brought a chic, high-fashion sensibility to 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, he had established his own Manhattan atelier, and at his death he 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. He 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.
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Wood, Lacquer
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Shell
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin
20th Century American Karl Springer Chairs
Shagreen, Wood
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Leather, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood
1990s American Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Raffia, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Wood, Animal Skin
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Chrome
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Glass, Wood
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Wood, Goatskin
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Goatskin
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Maple, Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Wood, Leather, Upholstery
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Brass
1980s Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Lacquer
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Lacquer, Bone, Shagreen, Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Leather
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Goatskin, Leather, Upholstery, Lacquer
1880s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Karl Springer Chairs
Bone, Shagreen, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Stone, Brass
20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century American Post-Modern Karl Springer Chairs
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Chairs
Leather