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Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

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
Vintage Karl Springer Acrylic & Glass Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Toledo, OH
Vintage acrylic and glass coffee table by Karl Springer. Heavy cast acrylic, original green tint with 1/2" plate glass insert. Great sty...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Acrylic

Karl Springer Asian Inspired Parchment Covered Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer Asian inspired parchment covered coffee table in original lacquered finish. Very large square shaped coffee table with the perfect amount of surface space to display yo...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Parchment Paper

Karl Springer Rare "Onyx Coffee Table" with Beveled Bronze Glass 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made "Onyx Coffee Table" in polished gold-tinted brass with beveled bronze glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. All elements of the metal base curve and thus cann...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Style Modern Cantilevered Glass Cocktail Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Astoria, NY
Karl Springer style modern cantilevered glass surface cocktail or coffee table, made in the 1980s. The piece consists of a slanted column with an oval glass top cantilevered into a w...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Karl Springer Goatskin Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer Lacquered Goatskin Parchment Coffee Table In Original Condition with some small imperfections as shown in photos 1970s
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer Meticulously Crafted Coffee Table with Lucite Legs 1980s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Round Leg Lucite coffee table" with brass stretchers and inset glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (Signed “Karl Springer” on brass stretcher). This table is beautifully mad...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Gun Metal Coffee Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Solid brass and gun metal by Karl Springer. Signed etched to one of the legs: "Karl Springer"
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern Rectangular Coffee Table, Gunmetal, Brass 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern Signed Karl Springer Rectangular Coffee / Cocktail Table. Guaranteed. Karl Springer "Round Leg Coffee Table" in Gunmetal and Brass. Chic mid-century low profile t...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Karl Springer Rare Coffee Table with Legs in Embossed Lizard Leather 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional and rare large "Sculpture Leg Coffee Table" with legs in bone embossed lizard leather with polished chrome elements and thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's....
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer Signed 'Mark II" Lucite Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A large scale lucite and glass 'Mark II' coffee table designed and signed by Karl Springer.
Category

1980s Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Lucite

Karl Springer Scroll Table in Embossed Lizard 1988 (Signed & Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully crafted embossed lizard leather scroll table by Karl Springer, 1988 (signed with label on bottom "Karl Springer 1988") Matching pair of chairs available separately.
Category

1980s Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Leather

Karl Springer "Ming Coffee Table" in Canary Python, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Ming Coffee Table" covered in canary python skin by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The design flourishes and the stunning material make for a wonderful Springer table. Referenc...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint, Python

Karl Springer Coffee Table in Figured Zebrawood and Black Lacquer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Striking Telephone Style Coffee Table in beautifully figured zebrawood with frame in black lacquer and with brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The figured zebrawood is ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Mark V Parchment Macassar Ebony & Gilt Iron Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Macassar ebony veneer, gilt iron and parchment coffee table by Karl Springer circa 1995. Signed on underside.
Category

1990s Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Macassar, Parchment Paper

Karl Springer Coffee Table in Walnut with Macassar Ebony & Gold Leaf 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Meticulously crafted "Dorchester Coffee Table" in French walnut with macassar ebony inlays on top with gold leaf accents by Karl Springer, American late 1980's. The border inlays and...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Karl Springer Chic Coffee Table in Embossed Lizard Leather 1993 (Signed & Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made "Triangular Leg Coffee Table" in 2-tone brown and caramel embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1993 (original leather label on bottom reads "Karl Sprin...
Category

1990s American Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer "Dorchester Coffee Table" in Figured Anigre, 1990s 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Dorchester Coffee Table" in figured Anigre with Marquetry border inlay on top with gold leaf accents by Karl Springer, American, 1990s (signed with Springer label). This table is me...
Category

1990s American Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

LUCITE AND GLASS COFFEE TABLE BY KARL SPRINGER, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in PARIS, FR
Mid-century modern octagonal coffee table attributed to designer Karl Springer, dating from the 1970s. It features four prismatic Lucite legs supporting a thick glass top. The combin...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Lucite

Karl Springer Burl Olivewood Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer burl olivewood coffee table. The table has cylindrical shaped legs with polished chrome mounts.
Category

1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Chrome

Karl Springer Sculptural Lucite Cocktail Table Base with Brass Caps Vintage
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful angled and sculptural Karl Springer lucite table base has brass caps.There is no glass provided for this great base. One...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Low Plinth Coffee Table in Goatskin Parchment and Lacquer, 1970
By Karl Springer
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This low coffee table by Karl Springer features an inlay lacquered base with a tabletop from goatskin parchment, finished with clear lacquer. Beveled edges and a plinth-like base are...
Category

1970s Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer

Black Faux Shagreen Square Coffee / Cocktail Table (manner of Karl Springer)
By Karl Springer
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century black faux shagreen wrapped coffee table with a square profile and rounded corners on an inSet platform base. (manner of Karl Springer) Stains and damage to sh...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Shagreen

Karl Springer Python Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular coffee table covered in real brown python with polished steel banding on the legs.
Category

20th Century American Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Karl Springer Python Coffee Table
Karl Springer Python Coffee Table
$9,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Karl Springer Freeform Coffee Table in Brass and Black Granite Top, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer for Karl Springer LTD exceptional free-form coffee table with polished brass base and black granite top, designed circa 1970. This iconic Springer low table design has ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Granite, Brass

Signed Karl Springer Goatskin and Smoked Glass Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
Elegant Parson's style coffee table by Karl Springer in matte-finished, pale bleached goatskin with contrasting smoked glass top, circa 1980. Leather maker's label.
Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Goatskin, Smoked Glass, Wood

Karl Springer coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Karl Springer coffee and cocktail tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Karl Springer coffee and cocktail tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original coffee and cocktail tables by Karl Springer were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider coffee and cocktail tables by Paul Evans, Charles Hollis Jones, and Vladimir Kagan. Prices for Karl Springer coffee and cocktail tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,450 and can go as high as $57,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,000.

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