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.
$17,500Sale Price|30% Off
Karl Springer Pagoda Dining Table in Goatskin
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
This Springer pagoda dining table, with a custom bullnose edge, was acquired from the estate of the original owner. The natural goatskin parchment is of ...
Goatskin, Gesso, Wood
Large Ron Seff Goat Skin Rare Lucite Base Expandable Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
Ron Seff Goat Skin Lucite base versatile extra-large expandable dining/conference table, when closed 72" with two leave 20"each when fully opened 112" in exceptional condition bevel...
Goatskin, Lucite, Wood
Elegant Goatskin Table Design by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful table design by the iconic Karl Springer, made of goat skin, please check the pictures, it has some wearing, totally normal, the color and patina is allot nicer in person.
Goatskin, Wood
Karl Spring Mid-Century Modern Lacquered Goat Skin Dining, Conference Table 70s
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
For Sale is this large almost round floating Karl Springer dining table on two half round pedestal bases, made in America in the 1970. All wood core decorated with the Goat Skin and...
Goatskin, Wood
$38,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 132 in D 49 in
In Stock Claro Walnut Bookmatched FIJN Dining Table
By Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, AB
A bookmatched pair of incredibly figured California Claro walnut set atop oversized turned legs. The table top has been meticulously patched with inlays and the occasional bowtie to...
Steel
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
H 30.25 in W 53.5 in D 96 in
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker, 1960s Modern Design
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An architectural marvel in living form, this Cocobolo rosewood dining table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, commands attention as both functional object and sculptural stateme...
Cocobolo
Karl Springer Mid Century Lacquered Goat Skin Side End Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Karl Springer Mid Century lacquered goat skin side end table Table measures: 36.5 wide x 24.5 deep x 25.75 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as ...
Goatskin
$2,692Sale Price|25% Off
H 29 in W 72 in D 42 in
Faux Goatskin Dining Table Karl Springer Style Lacquered 1980s with Leaf
By Karl Springer
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wood
Iconoclast Modern Hardwood Dining Table by Izm Design
By Izm Design
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
The Iconoclast dining table is made of 100% solid, hardwood and features a unique pedestal base. This piece commands attention and is the perfect centre piece for any open plan dinin...
Hardwood
Expandable Extra Long Faux Lacquered Goat Skin Dining Conference Table
By Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern lacquered faux goat skin dining table with 3 x 16" extension boards. Nice rounded corners and edges. Maximum expended length ...
Lacquer
$6,495
H 28.5 in W 41.75 in D 113.75 in
Arne Vodder for Sibast Model 227 Expanding Danish Teak Dining Table, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler in the 1960s, the Model 227 is among the most ingenious expansion systems to emerge from the golden age of Danish cabinetmaking, and this ex...
Teak
$16,001Sale Price|60% Off
H 29.93 in W 82.68 in D 41.74 in
Rare Pietro Chiesa Large Glass Dining Table for Fontana Arte, circa 1940
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Rome, IT
Large glass dining table designed by Pietro Chiesa and manufactured by Fontana Arte, Milano, circa 1940 extremely rare and important monument...
Bronze
Original "André" table, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Paris, FR
Tobia Scarpa for Gavina chrome and glass top dining or conference table, called the "Andre" table. The frame of the top slides in an 'x' shape into the four cylindrical legs. The bar...
Chrome
Karl Springer Goatskin Dining Table With Custom Chrome Drum Base
By Karl Springer
Located in Culver City, CA
This dining table is simply stunning. A goatskin dining table designed by Karl Springer from the 1980s features a creamy goatskin top with hides that are both tan and nude in color with slight color variations in the hides that only come with real goatskin pieces. This large goatskin top rests on a circular chrome drum base that is a custom base for the table. This stunning table came out of a prominent home in Century City and the provenance is available upon request. The dining table top still has the original Karl Springer paper label which was included in the original wrapping of the piece / order tag, which has been affixed to the bottom by the original owner for provenance. This wrapping tag has significantly faded with time, but you can still make out the name Karl Springer at the top (especially if you snap a photo and bump up the contrast). This dining table, as photographed, looks incredible with the Guido Faleschini for Pace Collection dining chairs -- which is the exact combination the family had been using since the 1980's. With the striking chrome base, this dining table would look great with Milo Baughman thinline...
Chrome
$4,400
H 30 in W 60 in D 40 in
Oval Walnut Square Tapered Legs Mid Century Modern Dining Conference Table Mint
By John Widdicomb, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oval Walnut Square Tapered Legs Mid Century Modern Dining Conference Table MINT One table leaf measuring 12'' across.
Walnut
Circular Walnut Expanding Dining Table "Concord Dining Table"
By Anton Maka
Located in Shelby Twp, MI
The concord expanding dining table is made of a solid walnut top with solid walnut leaves to be added for extra surface area. The legs are made of solid wa...
Walnut
Karl Springer Red Stainless Steel Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
A round dining table. Stainless steel cylindrical base, the top is polished lacquer with a stainless steel border. The small center circle has also a stainless edge and swivels in bo...
Stainless Steel
"Knife Edge Dining Table" in Lacquered Goatskin by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Knife Edge Dining Table" in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American, 1980s.
Large "Knife Edge Dining Table" by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large "Knife Edge Dining Table" in lace wood by Karl Springer, American 1970's