Karl Springer Set of 4 "Onassis Bar Stools" in Dark Oak 1980s
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Set of 4 "Onassis Bar Stools" in Dark Oak 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 42.5 in (107.95 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Seat Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: barstools461stDibs: LU783827707452
Karl Springer
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.
- Karl Springer Set of 4 Swiveling "Onassis Bar Stools" in Suede 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRare set of 4 swiveling "Onassis Bar Stools" covered in calf skin suede with brass footrail by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The Onassis Barstool was...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Stools
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Pair of "Onassis Bar Stools" in Lacquered Mahogany, 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of "Onassis Bar Stools" in mirror lacquered mahogany with upholstered seats and oxidized bronze footrests by Karl Springer, American 1970s. The beautiful wood and meticulous fin...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsBronze
- Set of 4 Chic Asian Style Black Lacquered Bar Stools 1980sLocated in New York, NYSet of Asian style bar stools in black lacquer with brass foot rails, American, 1980s. These are beautifully made and very chic.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Stools
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Set of 4 Candleholders in Gunmetal and Brass, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYSet of 4 candle holders in polished gunmetal with brass accents by Karl Springer, American 1980s. These iconic Springer candle holders are the epitome of chic. Reference Karl Sp...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Karl Springer Set of 3 Unique Candle Holders in Lucite, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYUnique set of 3 artisan candle holders in tinted and textured lucite designed to look like hand-blown scavo glass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These were done as prototypes. ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsLucite
- Karl Springer Set of 4 "J.M.F. Barstools" in Brown Leather 1986 'Signed & Dated'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYSet of 4 exceptional “J.M.F. Barstools” in brown leather with brushed brass foot rests by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsma...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Stools
MaterialsBrass
- Set of 4 Karl Springer Onassis Bar StoolsBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYSet of 4 Karl Springer Onassis bar stools. The stools' frame is lacquered wood with fabric covered cushioned seats. The stools have a nice, lacquered...Category
Vintage 1980s Modern Stools
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$21,000 / set - Karl Springer Onassis Bar Stools, A Set of 4, Goatskin, Boucle & Bronze, C. 1980By Karl SpringerLocated in Culver City, CAThese bar stools are absolutely gorgeous! If you have an eye for opulence and a taste for the finer things in life we've got a treat for you. Dive headfirst into the lap of luxury with these iconic Karl Springer barstools...Category
Vintage 1980s Hollywood Regency Stools
MaterialsBronze
$18,200 Sale Price / set30% Off - Mid-Century Set of 4 Onassis Bar Stools by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Miami, FLSet of 4 "Onassis Bar Stools" in a goat skin frame and saddle brown calf skin cushions with a brass foot rail. Designed by Karl Springer. Made in Ame...Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Leather Bar StoolsBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA matched pair of Karl Springer barstools. embossed Snakeskin leather and brass. Karl Springer Label below.Category
Vintage 1970s American Stools
MaterialsLeather
$7,500 / item - Pair of “Onassis” Barstools in Dowelwood & Boucle by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of glamorous 1980’s “Onassis”Barstools by Karl Springer. Constructed of whitewashed dowelwood and aged bronze footrests, the seats are newly recovered in Italian natural sheep ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Stools
MaterialsBronze
- Karl Springer LTD, Onassis Barstools, USABy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYAn iconic form by Karl Springer, the Onassis barstools are now available through Karl Springer LTD exclusively at Todd Merrill Studio. The stools f...Category
2010s American Stools
MaterialsMaple, Goatskin
Price Upon Request