Faux Parchment Lidded Bowl Attributed to Karl Springer
View Similar Items
Faux Parchment Lidded Bowl Attributed to Karl Springer
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Diameter: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU85183087832
Karl Springer
The Berlin-born, New York–based designer Karl Springer brought a chic, high-fashion sensibility to 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, he had established his own Manhattan atelier, and at his death he 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. He 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.
- Polished Stainless Steel Lounge Chair Attributed to Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Dallas, TXA polished solid stainless steel chair with original gold leather upholstery. Beautiful form and scale. Well made and heavy. Attributed to Karl Springer.Category
Vintage 1970s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Karl Springer Shagreen Side TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in Dallas, TXKarl Springer side table with Shagreen top. Signature to bottom.Category
Vintage 1980s Side Tables
MaterialsShagreen
- Monumental Turned Wood BowlLocated in Dallas, TXA massive stack laminate turned wood bowl signed and dated 1991.Category
1990s Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMaple
Sold$3,200 - Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Dallas, TXA wonderful set of eight "Regency" armchairs designed by Karl Springer in original lacquered lacewood.Category
Vintage 1980s Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLacquer
$16,000 / set - Bob Stocksdale Turned Bowl in MahoganyBy Bob StocksdaleLocated in Dallas, TXA large turned wood bowl in Guatemalan Mahogany by Bob Stocksdale. Signed on bottom.Category
Vintage 1970s Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMahogany
- Monumental Tutti Frutti Bowl by Gaetano PesceBy Gaetano PesceLocated in Dallas, TXMonumental bowl by legendary Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design. A radical interpretation of one of humankind's oldest forms, this bouncy bowl is as delight...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Decorative Bowls
MaterialsResin
- Blue Python Snakeskin Box Attributed to Karl Springer with Silver MountingsBy Karl SpringerLocated in Westport, CTAttributed Karl Springer blue python snake skin silver mounted Art Deco skyscraper stepped base and top trim.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Boxes
MaterialsMetal
- Karl Springer Hinged Parchment and Brass Velvet Lined BoxBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLHinged parchment and brass velvet lined box by Karl Springer. Vibrant shades of oranges and reds on the painted goatskin parchment. Velvet lined seg...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Style Faux Snakeskin Waste BasketBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer style faux snakeskin waste basket. Embossed faux snakeskin in a navy blue tone. Would work well in a variety of interiors such as modern, mid century modern, Hollywoo...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets
MaterialsFaux Leather
- Karl Springer Lidded Box with Artisan Lacquered Exterior 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExquisitely hand-lacquered lidded box with wood motif exterior and interior covered in beige suede by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This box is meticulously crafted. Springer had...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsSuede, Wood, Lacquer
- Karl Springer Style Faux Lizard Skin Waste BasketBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer style faux lizard skin waste basket. Embossed faux lizard skin in a neutral beige tone. Would work well in a variety of interiors such as modern, mid century modern...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets
MaterialsFaux Leather
- Karl Springer Exceptional Lidded Box in Tessellated Travertine 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptionally crafted table top box in tessellated travertine with wood interior by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" on bottom). This box has a nice scale and t...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsTravertine
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
These 1970s Chairs Have Attracted Fans as Diverse as Jackie O. and Jocelyn Wildenstein
Karl Springer’s opulent disco-era designs maintain their polished allure.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.