Karl Springer Embossed Leather Cafe / Game Table, 1983, Signed and Dated
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Embossed Leather Cafe / Game Table, 1983, Signed and Dated
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Diameter: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1983
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition with light minimal wear. Attractive signed example, ideal for collectors, ready for immediate use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330226828022
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 Reptile Embossed Leather Cocktail Table, Signed and Dated 1983By Karl SpringerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis 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
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLeather
$6,500 Sale Price26% Off - 'Butterflies' Dining Table by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s Italy, SignedBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis pièce de résistance collectors item is the 'Farfalle' (translated to 'Butterflies') dining table by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1970s, signed underneath with its original studio label. Table height is a perfect 29.25" for dining but also ideal as a cafe, gaming or center table. Such incredible artistry, this round Fornasetti dining table is made with lithographic transfer and lacquered wood that has a white background with colorful butterfly motif and is affixed via screws to a white tulip styled base. One of my favorite aspects of this table is how some of the butterflies cascade down into the edge of the table giving a 3-dimensional effect. The top has been masterfully re-lacquered in a French Polish and looks so incredible - it looks like a sheet of water is floating above the butterflies because it is so clear, vibrant, glossy and smooth while protecting the artwork underneath for decades to come. The 'Farfalle' aka 'Butterflies' motif is documented in the book "Fornasetti, The Complete Universe". This rare piece is sought after by interior designers and collectors alike. Perfect piece to add a little splash of whimsy and intrigue into your interior decor. Contact us for more details on our collection of Fornasetti lamps, tables, bar carts, mirrors, umbrella stands and more. Photographed with the table are Robert Venturi post-modern 'Queen Anne' chairs for Knoll International and Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Mah Jong's in Missoni fabrics along with a Missoni Home rug...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
$20,100 Sale Price29% Off - Stunning Exotic Wood Antique Breakfast Table or Center TableLocated in Los Angeles, CAIf you are looking for something completely unique and special, look no further - this absolutely stunning antique breakfast table features the most beautiful exotic wood and would make an ideal Statement piece in any interior. We are unsure of the type of wood - however it is wood, possibly an Amboyna Burl, as we had completed a full restoration and noticed the wood grain was still present after sanding down a light portion of it. It appears to have been painstakingly assembled / tessellated with each piece on its edge highlighting the amazing burled wood grain. While we are a bit uncertain on some of the details of this table - one thing we know for sure is that it is one of the most remarkable pieces of furniture (or in this case functional art) that we have seen. As for age - we do not know when this was made but when we acquired it, it had decades of age giving us the feeling this is an antique piece from earlier 20th Century. We just completed a full restoration with a beautiful lacquer coat giving it plenty of protection for regular use as a center table, cafe or dining table, or as a large sculpture pedestal table. So beautiful, and so special - ready to grace any fine interior space as a Statement piece. This exotic wood breakfast table...Category
20th Century Unknown Organic Modern Center Tables
MaterialsWood
$7,400 Sale Price38% Off - Customized 'Paracarro' Dining Table Bases by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 1970sBy Saporiti, Giovanni OffrediLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis pair of customized 'Paracarro' dining table bases are originally by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia which are sculpted from concrete and chromed steel during the 1970s in I...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsConcrete, Steel, Chrome
$2,800 Sale Price / item37% Off - 'Paracarro' Concrete Dining Table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1970sBy Giovanni Offredi, SaporitiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis sleek modern 'Paracarro' dining table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia was sculpted from concrete and chromed steel during the 1970s in Italy. A .75" thick and 50" diameter glass top adorns this stylish table which works great for dinners, games, meetings and as a center table and suitable for indoor or outdoor applications. *NOTE, we have a 2nd table available if you are looking for a pair. One larger glass can be made with both bases underneath if you wish to have one large table. Great for collectors and interior designers, using...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsConcrete, Steel, Chrome
$5,700 Sale Price32% Off - Monumental Karl Springer Chrome & Brass 'Sculpture' Cocktail Table, SignedBy Karl SpringerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis '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
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
$13,900 Sale Price22% Off
- Karl Springer Embossed Leather Square Game Dining TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern embossed leather square game dining table by Karl Springer.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsLeather
- Karl Springer Tulip Dining TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis stylish and dramatic dining table dates to the 1980s and was created by the iconinc German Amreican designer Karl Springer. The table is kno...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Karl Springer Goatskin Center TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in LOS ANGELES, CARound, sculptural, center or dining table by Karl Springer. Clad in Ivory colored goatskin, with high gloss lacquer finish.Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsGoatskin
- Karl Springer Round Goatskin Center or Dining Table SignedBy Karl SpringerLocated in Los Angeles, CAA magnificent dining or center table by Iconic mid century Designer Karl Springer. The table has been completely restored and is ready for use. The perfect compliment to any entry or...Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood
- Karl Springer Custom Dining TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer round custom dining table. Polished Stainless Steel with a Oxblood Red Glasurite Top. Glasurite is a Stone compound developed by Ka...Category
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Glamorous Vintage Karl Springer Grasscloth Dining TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in LOS ANGELES, CAFabulous vintage Karl Springer grasscloth dining table restored and refinished in a beautiful teal-black lacquer. Square top with bullnose edge a...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMetal