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.
Goatskin and Suede Flip Top Game Table, Karl Springer, 1970's, W/ COA
By Karl Springer
Located in Culver City, CA
Some tables hold a drink. Some hold a vase. This one holds grudges ~ and the receipts to back them up. Welcome the Karl Springer Backgammon Game Table, the only piece of furniture th...
Goatskin, Suede, Lacquer
Karl Springer Tessellated Stone Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A tessellated marble game table with brass trim designed by Karl Springer.
Marble
$3,850
H 29.5 in W 38 in D 38 in
Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-Century Modern game table in the style of Karl Springer, 1970s. Tessellated stone with brass banding and glass inset top. 38" square x 29.5" high. The under height of table wher...
Limestone, Brass
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 33.75 in D 33.75 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Flip Top Game Dining Table by Kibaek Møbelfabrik
By Kibaek Mobelfabrik
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern flip top card game table in rosewood by Kibaek Mobelfabrik, Denmark circa 1970's. This versatile piece has a reversible table top with vintage green felt allowing it to function as a game table or dining table. Equipped with extra storage underneath the top to hold playing cards, poker chip sets...
Felt, Rosewood
$828Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 28 in D 28 in
70's Karl Springer Style Tessellated Fossil Stone Coffee Center Side Table
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 handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can usually ship it for less and get it to you faster. Click on "Ask The Seller" and send us your zip code for a quote. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a 1970's Karl Springer Maitland style tessellated fossil stone pedestal...
Stone
$1,450Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.75 in W 38.5 in D 38.5 in
Vintage Tessellated Stone Dining Game Table, Maitland Smith Attributed
By Maitland Smith
Located in Miami, FL
Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining/Game Table Attributed to Maitland Smith Offered for sale is a tessellated stone and brass inlay dining/game table attributed to Maitland Smi...
Stone, Brass
Early 19th Century Flip-Top Game Table with Inlaid Chessboard
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Flip-Top Game Table with Inlaid Chessboard Refined early 19th-century game table, designed for chess and card games, exemplifying the understated elegance and fin...
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$2,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.75 in W 36 in D 16 in
Philadelphia Hepplewhite Hollow Front Flip Top Game Table, c. 1790-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hepplewhite hollow front flip top game table with gated leg. The solid figured mahogany top is mounted to a conforming brick laid apron veneered in figured mahogany, and the borders ...
Mahogany, Holly
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pierre Deux Flip Top Game Table, Leather & Mahogany, French Provincial
By Pierre Deux
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 ...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,850
H 29 in W 41.88 in D 41.88 in
1970s Brass and Lucite Game Table with Glass Top, Four Brass Balls on Saber Legs
By Karl Springer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Fantastic Karl Springer style Hollywood Regency 1970s brass, Lucite and glass top game table with four large brass balls connecting the round L...
Brass
Antique Dutch Marquetry Inlay Flip Top Demilune Console Game Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Dutch Marquetry Inlay Flip Top Demilune Console Game Table. Item features stunning floral and figural marquetry inlay, tapered legs, shapely ...
Mahogany
Attributed Karl Springer 1977 Goatskin Backgammon Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Extremely rare goatskin backgammon game table including bakelite game pieces. All Original Condition Beautiful Table with Top that pops out to display the backgammon game board. Mi...
Wood, Goatskin
$1,300
H 36 in W 31 in D 19 in
Vintage American Sheraton Painted Grain Serpentine Flip Top Console Game Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa 1940s painted grain game / card / parlor desk table featuring American Federal / Hepplewhite styling with serpentine bow front, large drawer with brass rosette hardware, and sq...
Hardwood
Buffalo Hide Game Table Attributed to Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A buffalo hide covered game table with brass details. Not signed but probably by Karl Springer.
Leather
Karl Springer Burlwood and Chrome Backgammon Table, 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Burlwood and Chrome Backgammon Table, 1980’s. Measures 48” long 30” deep 29” tall
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Karl Springer Impressive Game Table in Black Lacquer with Bone Inlays 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning game table in high gloss black lacquer with tessellated bone inlays and inlaid radiating starburst pattern on top in bone by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The attention to...
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Game Table in Brass & Gunmetal with Lizard Leather 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning "Round Leg Game Table" in polished brass and gunmetal with brown embossed lizard leather top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Springer” on side). This table w...
Metal, Brass
Karl Springer Game Table in Wrapped Lizard Skin, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Rare Karl Springer Game Table in Wrapped Lizard Skin with brass trim, backgammon board with inset gray and ox blood leather points, with flip up storage compartments and original gam...
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 36.13 in D 36.13 in
Karl Springer Game Table Wrapped in an Ivory Crocodile Embossed Leather
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning square Chinoiserie from game table by Karl Springer. The table is wrapped in an ivory (or a very light tan) embossed leather that simulates crocodile. The table is stunnin...
Leather, Wood
Karl Springer 1977 Goatskin Backgammon Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer - Authenticated 1977 Extremely Rare Goatskin Backgammon Game Table Parsons Style Backgammon Table with Cover Bakelite Game Pieces All Original Condition Beautiful...
Goatskin, Leather, Bakelite, Wood
Karl Springer Gametable
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Karl Springer Reptile Skin -embossed Leather Game table Removable Steel -Edged top Original game Pieces,Doubling Cube, Dice and Dice Cups Signed...
Leather
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Backgammon Table Signed & Dated
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Springer 1988 Parsons Style backgammon table with cover 2 compartments, cups, game pieces & dice Wood covered in two-tone faux lizard leather in light taupe tones Signed & ...
Brass
Rare Karl Springer Goatskin, Leather and Brass Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Round Rock, TX
Rare angular leg backgammon table designed by Karl Springer. This beautiful table is wrapped in a lacquered beige goatskin with a leather backgammon board in brown, beige and coral. ...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Exceptional Game Table in Embossed Lizard 1986 (Signed and Dated)
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional "Parsons Style Game Table" in black embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsmanship of this ...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Karl Springer Rare Backgammon/Games Table in Lacquered Goatskin 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and exceptional "Parsons Style Backgammon Table" in lacquered goatskin with brass trim, backgammon board with inset gray and ox blo...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Karl Springer Exceptional Game Table in Embossed Lizard 1986 'Signed and Dated'
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional "Parsons Style Game Table" in dark gray embossed lizard leather by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsmanship of th...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer