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.
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 perf...
Leather, Wood
Set of Four "Regency" Armchairs in Lacewood by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four regency armchairs in lacewood with original leather designed by Karl Springer for a Steven Chase interior.
Leather
Pair of Signed Karl Springer Goatskin JMF Chairs, 1986
By Karl Springer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of signed and dated iconic Karl Springer JMF chairs featuring a dark, rich parchment leather goatskin finish. Each chair has a si...
Leather, Wood
$21,000 / set
Set of 6 Karl Springer JMF Chairs, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Set of six Karl Springer JMF dining chairs, restored using antique Japanese washi paper from the early 1900s. The chair frames have been covered with pieces of vintage ledgers and m...
Hardwood, Paper
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 upholstered in luxurious goatskin. These chairs come from a single-owner household and remain...
Goatskin
$16,000 / set
Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful set of eight "Regency" armchairs designed by Karl Springer in original lacquered lacewood.
Lacquer
$6,500 / set
H 42 in W 24 in D 21 in
Pair of “Onassis” Barstools in Dowelwood & Boucle by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of glamorous 1980’s “Onassis”Barstools by Karl Springer. Constructed of whitewashed dowelwood and aged bronze footrests, the seats are newly recovered in Italian natural sheep ...
Bronze
Karl Springer Folding Chairs
By Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
set of 6 Folding Chairs Steel ,Brass and Naugahyde
Chrome
Set of Four "California" Armchairs by Antonio Sibau
By A. Sibau, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of four dining armchairs in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright by A. Sibau produced in Manzano, Italy Made of beechwood with cherry fini...
Beech, Cherry
Set of Six Wooden Dining Chairs with Green Upholstery, 1950s
By Mario Asnago
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of six dining chairs was designed by Carlo Ratti in Italy in the 1950s. The dark rosewood contrasts with the turquoise vintage upholstery and the colour combination makes th...
Wool, Faux Leather
$18,000Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 37.5 in W 24.5 in D 25.5 in
Set of Twelve Baker Regency Style Burl Wood Klismos Armchairs
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent set of twelve English Regency style klismos armchairs or dining chairs made by Baker Furniture. Featuring handcrafted frames covered with dramatic burlwood veneers. The k...
Fabric, Wood, Burl
Two Regency Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Regency style carved and gilt armchair, the rectangular "X" back with a mahogany panel, the caned seat with a tie-on cushion, on turned and fluted legs. Dimensions: 22.5" W x 23....
Wood
Set of Ten Chippendale Armchairs
By Donghia
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of ten mid century armchairs crafted in mahogany in a modern version of the classic chippendale form designed by Yale Burge for Donghia.
Mahogany
$12,900 / set
H 45 in W 18 in D 15 in
Set of Five (5) Karl Springer Grey Lacquered Goatskin Bar Stools
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
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...
Brass
$2,125
H 28 in W 23.5 in D 21 in
Set of Four Springer Onassis Style Dining Chairs in Lacquered Goatskin by Garcel
By Karl Springer, Jimeco ltda, Enrique Garcel
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of Four Springer Onassis Style Dining Chairs in Lacquered Goatskin by Garcel PRICE IS FOR THE SET OF FOUR CHAIRS (Pictured with a Karl Springer Wagon Wheel dining table availa...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
$12,000
H 35 in W 20.5 in D 21 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Saridis Klismos Chairs in Walnut with Leather Thongs
By Saridis, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Klismos chair for Saridis of Athens, Greece in Greek walnut and leather woven seats. This chair was part of the collection he designed for Saridis of Athens in 1961, inspired by the drawings he saw on ancient Greek vases. The Klismos chairs features a graceful curving back and sable curved legs. The woven seat is made of leather straps / thongs which are tight around the walnut frame. The design beholds Robsjohn-Gibbings’ philosophy of furniture design that is independent of time. Manufacturer's metal label DESIGNED BY T.H.ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS / Manufactured by saridis of athens. Serial # 9544 &. Please note that the item has been lightly restored by restoration atelier. Some signs of age and use are still visible. This chair model is notably documented on the cover of "Furniture of Classical Greece," written by Robsjohn-Gibbings and Carlton W. Pullin in 1963. We love what Pilar Viladas said about this iconic design in the New York Times in 2010: "T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings’s Klismos chair looks ancient and modern at the same time — because it is. Based on ancient Greek models, which had been widely copied in the 18th and 19th century, Robsjohn-Gibbings’s version made the klismos shape famous again in the 20th century. Obsessed with its elegant lines, he designed versions of the chair throughout his career, but the most recent examples have been made by Saridis in Athens since the early 1960s, when the designer met the company’s owners and settled in the Greek capital. Its simple but opulent curves hint at sleek penthouses with butlers who serve cocktails on the terrace at sunset. (Indeed, Robsjohn-Gibbings’s Saridis...
Leather, Walnut
$6,500 / set
H 39.5 in W 20 in D 22 in
Set of Ten French Carved Wood Dining Chairs with Leather Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant set of ten dining chairs is crafted in carved wood with classic French-inspired lines and richly patinated leather upholstery. The chairs feature shaped backs with softl...
Leather, Walnut
$8,016Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.7 in W 25.6 in D 22.64 in
Set of 6 Contemporary Dining Chairs With Upholstered Seat and Back
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This exceptionally versatile dining Chair adapts seamlessly to any setting, from homes to offices. Its bold architectural design features a wooden frame with striking angular-cut leg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Karl Springer Set of 8 Goatskin JMF Dining Chairs, 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer set of 8 goatskin dining chairs, "JMF", 1980. Chairs are Jean Michel Frank Model. Matching dining table in separate listing.
Goatskin, Lacquer
Sold
H 35 in W 18 in D 19 in
Karl Springer Pair of J.M.F. Chairs in Ivory Embossed Lizard with Cushions 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of “J.M.F. chairs” in two tone ivory lacquered embossed lizard leather with custom leather seat cushions by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship of these chairs is ...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.5 in W 18 in D 19 in
Karl Springer Pair of "J.M.F. Chairs" in Embossed Lizard 1983 (Signed & Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of beautifully crafted “J.M.F. Chairs” in deep two tone chocolate embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1983 (signed with label on bottom "Karl Springer 1983"). Ev...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35 in W 18 in D 21 in
Karl Springer Set of 10 Stunning "J.M.F. Chairs" In Lacquered Goatskin 1981
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional set of 10 “J.M.F.” dining chairs in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American 1981 (dated “6.5.81” on underside of each chair). The subtle variations in the goatskin ...
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Jmf Chairs Set of 4 in White Lacquer, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of four JMF dining chairs by Karl Springer. Professionally relacquered in an off white color with a soft satin finish. From the 1980s. In excellent restored condition.
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35 in W 18 in D 20 in
Karl Springer Set of 4 Exceptional "J.M.F. Chairs" in Lacquered Goatskin 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 4 “J.M.F.” game/dining chairs in custom color lacquered goatskin, gray with green highlights, by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The subtle green tone of the goatskin is stunn...
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.5 in W 17 in D 20 in
Karl Springer Set of 6 Dining Chairs in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 6 masterfully crafted J.M.F. Dining Chairs in tessellated fossilized coral with bronze sabots by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This chair was designed with a curved seat whi...
Coral, Bronze
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
Goatskin, Velvet, Wood
Karl Springer Set Of 4 Exceptional "Regency Arm Chairs" 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 4 "Regency Armchairs" in polished stainless steel with gold tinted brass back elements and black leather seats by Karl Springer, American 1980’s. The craftsmanship of this set...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Rare Set of 6 Dining Chairs in Macassar Ebony 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare set of 6 "Regency Arm Dining Chairs" in Macassar ebony with upholstered seats and backs by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Elegant lin...
Velvet, Ebony
Karl Springer Pair of Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Mexico City, MX
A beautiful pair of 1970s "Onassis" wood, goatskin and black leather chair by Karl Springer. Manufactured in Mexico during the 1970s. The curved back stands over the black leather se...
Goatskin, Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chair
By Karl Springer
Located in Mexico City, MX
A beautiful 1970s "Onassis" wood, goatskin and black leather chair by Karl Springer. Manufactured in Mexico during the 1970s. The curved back stands over the black leather seat with ...
Goatskin, Leather, Wood