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
Recognized Seller Listings
Karl Springer "Chinese Curved Coffee Table" In Embossed Lizard Leather 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Chinese Curved Coffee Table" in bisque lacquered embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The curvature of the table’s form and edges showcase Springer’s superb cr...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Lizard
Karl Springer Rare and Impressive Coffee Table with Woven Rattan 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare and large "Dowelwood Coffee Table" with woven rattan and a glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The scale of this table is quite impressive. Excellent craftsmanship went...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Rattan, Glass, Wood
Gun Metal and Brass Coffee Table with Glass Top, Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a striking 1970s Karl Springer coffee table. The size works well in a large or intimate space. The dark smoky glass is inset, surrounded by a .25" brass border. The border ex...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Free Form Coffee Tables in Polished Stainless Steel with Black Glass Tops 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Free Form Coffee Tables in mirror polished stainless steel with inset black glass tops in the style of Karl Springer, custom design, American 1980's. These tables are beau...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Karl Springer Rectangular Coffee Table in Lacquered Goatskin, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional coffee table in lacquered goatskin, rectangular with chamfered corners, by Karl Springer, 1980's. This table is meticulously crafted and an iconic Springer form.
Reference:
Copy of original Karl Springer invoice dated 1985 with the description, “Di-Gerlando Style Coffee Table 54...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Large "Coffee Table with Sculpture Leg" in Tessellated Coral 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large and exceptionally crafted "Coffee Table with Sculpture Leg" with cylindrical legs in tessellated coral with solid brass tops and thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Coral, Metal, Brass
Monumental Karl Springer Chrome & Brass 'Sculpture' Cocktail Table, Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 'Sculpture' cocktail is a monumentally sized version of the standard 'Sculpture Leg' table by Karl Springer. Each of the four hefty sculpture legs are much wider in diameter tha...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass, Chrome
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
Karl Springer Classic Waterfall Coffee Table in Lacquered Goatskin, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Iconic petit coffee table with waterfall design in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American 1980s. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship are superb. Expect nothing else...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Rare Pair of "Onyx Tables" with Beveled Bronze Glass, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of "Onyx Tables" in polished gold-tinted brass with beveled bronze glass tops by Karl Springer, American 1980's. All elements of the metal base curve and thus cannot be mad...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
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 Freeform Coffee Table in Brass and Granite, 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
Karl Springer Reptile Embossed Leather Cocktail Table, Signed and Dated 1983
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous Karl Springer (signed) reptile embossed leather coffee table is signed and dated 1983, the same year that brought us Risky Business, Scarface, National Lampoon...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Leather
Black Faux Shagreen Square Coffee / Cocktail Table (manner of Karl Springer)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, 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)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood, Shagreen
Karl Springer "Round Leg Coffee Table" with Artisan Glass Top, 1980s, 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind "round leg coffee table" in gunmetal and chrome with artisan glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed on bottom stretcher “Karl Springer”). Hand-etched circu...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Karl Springer Exceptional "Ming Coffee Table" in Python 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally crafted "Ming Coffee Table" in black and white python by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The skins are in like-new condition. The craftsmanship of this table is superb.
Reference:
Karl Springer LTD red binder catalog published in the 1980’s, section “Coffee Tables...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood, Python
Karl Springer 2-Tier Coffee Table in Embossed Lizard Leather 1993 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made "Triangular leg coffee table" with tray top in 2-tone brown and caramel embossed lizard leather designed by Karl Springer 1993 (Original Label on bottom reads "Karl ...
Category
1990s American Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Lacquer, Leather, Wood
Karl Springer "Lucite Leg Coffee Table" with Thick Glass Top 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
“Lucite Leg Coffee Table” with beautifully made solid lucite legs and thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This can be configured with legs at the corners or one on eac...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Lucite
Karl Springer, Freeform Coffee Table, United States, 1994
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer's voracious appetite for design knowledge can be seen in his work, which is influenced by a wide variety of aesthetics, from the more contemporary Bauhaus, to those of ...
Category
1990s American Art Deco Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel
Embossed Leather Cocktail Tables by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Wood, embossed leather and chromed metal. 2 cocktail tables of cream-colored leather, embossed with lizard pattern & chromed metal feet. Label affixed to the bottom of each table.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Karl Springer & Lynn Shelton, Coffee Table, Painted Paper, Wood, America, c 1980
By Lynn Shelton , Karl Springer
Located in High Point, NC
An organic / biomorphic coffee / cocktail table, designed and produced by Karl Springer, painted by Lynn Shelton in beige / yellow tones, c. 1980. Signed Lynn Shelton 11/80' along lo...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Plywood, Paper
Karl Springer Petit Coffee Table in Lacquered Linen 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Petit waterfall coffee table covered in lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American 1970's. A beautiful jewel of a table. As with all Springer tables,...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Linen, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer "Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Platinum Leaf 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Stunning “Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in lacquered platinum leaf by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The subtle shape, color and craftsmanship of this...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Platinum
Karl Springer "Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Lacquered Linen, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Elegant “Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Chinese red lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The subtle shape, color and craftsmanship of t...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Linen, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Karl Springer Coffee Table with Lucite Legs and Unique Glass Top 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large one-of-a-kind round coffee table with 3 solid lucite legs and table top etched by glass artist Joseph Spohr for Karl Springer, American 1980’s (signed “Karl Springer” on lucite...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Art Glass, Lucite
Karl Springer "Bristol Coffee Table" in Lacquered Goatskin circa 1990 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Bristol Coffee Table" in dark brown lacquered goatskin with ivory goatskin sabots by Karl Springer, American circa 1990 (signed on bottom). This ...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Goatskin, Wood
Karl Springer Rectangular Coffee Table in Batik with Recessed Lighting 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Faceted rectangular coffee table in black batik fabric with bone inlays, over pedestal base with recessed lighting, by Karl Springer, American 1970's...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wire
Karl Springer Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" in pale yellow lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American, 1980s.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Linen, 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
Karl Springer Python Snakeskin Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Coffee table by Karl Springer wrapped in python snake skin. Hand-signed to underside [Karl Springer 1987].
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Leather
Karl Springer Exceptional Ostrich Skin Coffee Table 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Elegant coffee table covered in ostrich skin with glass top by Karl Springer, American 1970's (signed with metal Karl Springer label on bottom). This table is a beautiful example of...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
Karl Springer White Lacquered Crocodile Leather Coffee Table 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table covered in white embossed crocodile leather by Karl Springer, American, 1970s. A beautiful and luxurious Karl Springer design.
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
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 Exceptional "Art Moderne Coffee Table" in Satin Bronze 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional "Art Moderne Coffee Table" in satin bronze with polished brass inlays and an inset glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The Art Moderne series is one of Springer’...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Karl Springer "Free Form Coffee Table" in Tessellated Travertine 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted large "Free Form Coffee Table" in tessellated travertine with brass trim at bottom by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed on bottom with label which reads "Kar...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Karl Springer "Bristol Coffee Table" with Shagreen Top 1989 'Signed'
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Bristol Coffee Table" in white leather with inset shagreen on top with bone inlays by Karl Springer, American 1989 (signed and dated with le...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Bone, Leather, Shagreen, Wood
Karl Springer Chinese Leather Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Chinese Scroll Table
Signed and date on leather label
1 available 6500.00
Category
20th Century American Karl Springer Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Leather
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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