Karl Springer Credenzas
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.
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Goatskin
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Metal, Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Wood, Lacquer, Parchment Paper
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Goatskin
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Lacquer, Burl
2010s American Karl Springer Credenzas
Goatskin
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
2010s American Karl Springer Credenzas
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Chrome
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Laminate, Wood
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Lacquer, Goatskin
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Goatskin, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Stone
1990s American Modern Karl Springer Credenzas
Goatskin, Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Leather, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Brass, Bronze
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Granite, Stainless Steel
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Stainless Steel
1960s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Credenzas
Metal