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.
Vintage Polished SS And Brass Regency Arm Chair Designed By Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful polished stainless steel and brass arm chair designed and distrubuted by Karl Springer. Karl Springer produced stylish furniture of the highest quality craftsmanship and ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Lacquered Goatskin Wrapped "Onasis" Chairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of lacquered goatskin wrapped "Onasis" chairs by Karl Springer, circa 1980"s. The chairs are in good vintage condition with original upholstery and measure 24"W x 22"D x 30"H wi...
Goatskin, Wood, Upholstery
Karl Springer Side Chair Chrome Brass Leather, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Vienna, AT
Regency style dining or side chair by Karl Springer, 1970 Great comfort chair, finely crafted Regency style dining or side chair by Karl Springer. Highly polished chrome plate over ...
Brass, Chrome
Karl Springer Pair of "J.M.F. Chairs" in Embossed Lizard 1985 (Signed & Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of beautifully crafted “J.M.F. Chairs” in embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, 1985 (signed with label on bottom "Karl Springer 1985") Matching scroll table available sepa...
Leather
$12,000 / set
Set of 6 American Post-War Geometric Side Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 American Post-War Design (1980s) all parchment veneer side chairs with a simple geometric form (att: KARL SPRINGER)
Parchment Paper, Wood
Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern Lacquered Beige Parchment Side / Dining Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 American Mid-Century Modern dining / side chairs with lacquered beige parchment veneers. (KARL SPRINGER)(PRICED AS Set) Minor wear and cracking to lacquer throughout.
Parchment 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
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. Loss and damage to the Applied Gold Leaf . Will require some restoration. As well as the creation/u...
Wood
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.
Wood, Leather
$17,500 / item
H 37.41 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Polished Brass "33 Step" Bar Chair/Stool by Zhipeng Tan
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tan’s practice, since graduating from the China Academy of Art, has been focused on the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. This ancient foundry process has created an intersection between Tan’s interest in heritage casting techniques and organic forms. The forms designed by Tan vary from being environmental (water drops, tree roots) to being figurative (spinal cords, pelvic structures). The Lily collection brings together the botanical and human motifs most explicitly. The tension between the two references cause the works to become abstracted and take on a slightly surreal quality, whilst maintaining functionality. The 33 Step chair...
Brass
Pair of Karl Springer Souflee Ottomans/Stools
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Karl Springer Souflee Ottomans Brass bases Re-upholstered in faux Shearling
Brass
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
Polished Brass 33 Step Chair by Zhipeng Tan
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tan’s practice, since graduating from the China Academy of Art, has been focused on the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. This ancient foundry process has created an intersection between Tan’s interest in heritage casting techniques and organic forms. The forms designed by Tan vary from being environmental (water drops, tree roots) to being figurative (spinal cords, pelvic structures). The Lily collection brings together the botanical and human motifs most explicitly. The tension between the two references cause the works to become abstracted and take on a slightly surreal quality, whilst maintaining functionality. The 33 step chair...
Brass
$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
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Located in Buchanan, NY
A sophisticated pair of 1950s Italian sidechairs in green leather with wicker backs and brass detailing. Add some classic mid-century modern elegance to your home with this gorgeous pair of 1950s Italian side chairs...
Upholstery
$4,000
H 35.5 in W 23 in D 26 in
1940's Ebonized Gilt Regency Style Arm Chairs with Custom Cream Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This striking pair of 1940s Regency Revival armchairs reflects the resurgence of neoclassical elegance in American design. Crafted with sculptural curved arms and an ebonized wood fr...
Silk, Wood
$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 Enrique Garcel, Jimeco ltda, Karl Springer
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
$1,980 / set
H 30.5 in W 20.5 in D 21 in
Pair of Herman Miller Eames DCM Molded Plywood Side Chairs 1985-1999 (Signed)
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic pair of Herman Miller Eames DCM molded plywood side chairs 1985-1999 (Signed). These chair’s beautiful design makes them incredibly recognizable and sought after. Very stur...
Metal
Roger Rougier Set of 6 Post Modern Dining Chairs, 1980
By Roger Rougier
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Rougier set of 6 Postmodern dining chairs, 1980. Original upholstery.
Stainless Steel
$2,850 / set
H 40 in W 22 in D 26 in
Sensuous Pair of Swaim Spoon Back Lacquered Side Chairs, Mid-Century Modern
By Swaim
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Sensuous pair of spoon back side chairs made by Swaim. Gorgeous scale and craftsmanship, these chairs are spectacular in person. The finish is a very dark almost black lacquer with a...
Upholstery, Wood
$23,400Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 38.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
Robert Venturi 'Queen Anne' Chair for Knoll International, C. 1985, Signed
By Knoll, Robert Venturi, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and sought after set of four (4) collectors pieces are called the 'Queen Anne' chairs by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 and feature a faux olive burl design with tan leather seats. Post-Modern functional art ready to be used as stand-alone collectible sculptures or as chairs. Signed underneath three chairs with Knoll International labels. Please note, the color amongst the 4 chairs are consistent however due to the studio lighting they appear slightly different from chair to chair, this is simply due to the angle and position of the studio photography lights...
Laminate, Plywood
Sold
H 30 in W 24 in D 19 in
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...
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Karl Springer Black Lacquered Chairs with Lambskin Seats
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning and rare pair of Karl Springer Side or Dining Chairs. The pair are designed with tubular wood, lacquered black with lambskin upholstered seats. A compliant to the Den, B...
Belgian Black Marble
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
Raffia, Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 18 in D 22 in
Karl Springer JMF Lacquered Goatskin Desk Chair or Side Chair in Beige & Cream
By Karl Springer, JMF
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The perfect desk chair designed by Karl Springer and produced by JMF in Lacquered Goatskin. Very good ready to use condition.
Goatskin, Wood
Karl Springer Stainless Steel Dining or Side Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of finely crafted Regency style dining or side chairs by Karl Springer. Highly polished chrome plate over solid stainless steel. Brass seat back detail. New leather seat uphol...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Karl Springer "J.M.F. Chair" in Embossed Lizard Leather 1982 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Elegant "JMF Chair" covered in pale celadon embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1982 (signed, “Karl Springer 1982” on leather label on bottom). Reference: Karl Spri...
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer Pair of Jmf Chairs in Ostrich Skin, 1982, 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of JMF chairs in ostrich skin by Karl Springer, American 1982 (signed “Karl Springer 1982” on leather label beneath seat). These chairs are exquisitely crafted. Reference: Ka...
Wood, Animal Skin
Four Lacquered Karl Springer Side or Dining Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed. We have four lacquered chairs by Karl Springer, a compliment to any dining room area or game table. Color is a unique mix of green and gray and upholstery is in good conditio...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.5 in W 18 in D 21.5 in
Karl Springer "JMF Chair" in Blue Shagreen with Bone Inlays 1980s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"J.M.F. Chair" covered in blue shagreen with bone inlays by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Springer” on brass label on seat bottom). The materials and craftsmanship of ...
Bone, Shagreen, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.5 in W 18 in D 24 in
Karl Springer Rare JMF Chair in Shagreen with Bone Inlays 1980s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
JMF chair in shagreen with bone inlays and sabots by Karl Springer, American, 1980s (signed on bottom with Karl Springer label). Reference: Karl Springer red Binder catalog, 1980s...
Bone, Shagreen, Wood
Karl Springer Pair of JMF Chairs in Lacquered Goatskin, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "JMF Chairs" in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American 1970's. These chairs are meticulously crafted. Reference Karl Springer catalog, red binder, section “seating”, ...
Goatskin, Wood
Karl Springer Pair of JMF Chairs in Lacquered Goatskin, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "JMF Chairs" in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American, 1970s. These clean line chairs are beautifully made.
Goatskin, Wood