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Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

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
Set of 6 Karl Springer Gold Onassis Chairs with Leather Upholstery
Set of 6 Karl Springer Gold Onassis Chairs with Leather Upholstery

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...

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1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

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Set of Four Onasis Chairs by Karl Springer
Set of Four Onasis Chairs by Karl Springer

Set of Four Onasis Chairs by Karl Springer

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Set of Four Onasis Chairs by Karl Springer

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Set of 4 Onassis chairs in Oak by Karl Springer. Updated upholstery in White Boucle. An iconic form by Karl Springer, the Onassis Chairs, originally commission by Jacquelyn Kennedy O...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

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Pair of Signed Karl Springer Goatskin JMF Chairs, 1986
Pair of Signed Karl Springer Goatskin JMF Chairs, 1986

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...

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20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

6 Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in Goatskin with Leather Seats
6 Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in Goatskin with Leather Seats

6 Karl Springer Onassis Chairs in Goatskin with Leather Seats

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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...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

Materials

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Set of 6 Karl Springer JMF Chairs, 1970s
Set of 6 Karl Springer JMF Chairs, 1970s

Set of 6 Karl Springer JMF Chairs, 1970s

By Karl Springer

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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...

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1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

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Set of Four "Regency" Armchairs in Lacewood by Karl Springer
Set of Four "Regency" Armchairs in Lacewood by Karl Springer

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.

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1980s Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

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Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer
Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer

Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer

By Karl Springer

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A wonderful set of eight "Regency" armchairs designed by Karl Springer in original lacquered lacewood.

Category

1980s Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Lacquer

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Previously Available Items
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Karl Springer Pair of J.M.F. Chairs in Ivory Embossed Lizard with Cushions 1980s
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Karl Springer Pair of J.M.F. Chairs in Ivory Embossed Lizard with Cushions 1980s

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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 ...

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1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

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Karl Springer Pair of "J.M.F. Chairs" in Embossed Lizard 1983 (Signed & Dated)

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Karl Springer Pair of Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chairs

Karl Springer Pair of Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chairs

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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...

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Karl Springer Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chair
Karl Springer Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chair

Karl Springer Onassis Goatskin and Black Leather Chair

Sold

H 30.32 in W 24.02 in D 20.08 in

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 ...

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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Goatskin, Leather, Wood

Karl Springer dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Karl Springer dining room chairs 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 dining room chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original dining room chairs 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 dining room chairs by Vladimir Kagan, Paul Evans, and Ward Bennett. Prices for Karl Springer dining room chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,500 and can go as high as $75,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $15,000.