Karl Springer Elegant Floor Lamp in Gunmetal, 1970s
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Elegant Floor Lamp in Gunmetal, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 64 in (162.56 cm)Diameter: 25 in (63.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: floorlamp1851stDibs: LU783814202752
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 "J.M.F. Floor Lamp" in Gunmetal Glazierite, 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"J.M.F. Floor Lamp" in gunmetal glazierite with polished brass base and hardware and parchment shade by Karl Springer, American, 1970s. Glazierite was a type of resin that the crafts...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer "Bullet Up Light" in Polished Chrome 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Bullet Up Light" in polished chrome with honeycomb diffuser by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This is a meticulously crafted accent light.Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Karl Springer "Spun Shaped Torchere" in Gunmetal and Brass, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRare artisan made "Spun Shaped Torchere" in gunmetal and gold-tinted brass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The quality of the craftsmanship is off the charts. Reference: Karl Springer LTD Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s in the section “lighting” on page 11...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsGold, Brass, Nickel
- Karl Springer "J.M.F. Floor Lamp" in Tessellated Fossilized Coral 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"J.M.F. Floor Lamp" with gently twisting shaft in tessellated fossilized coral with polished brass base and fittings by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This lamp showcases the meticu...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCoral, Brass
- Karl Springer Rare "Mushroom Table Lamp" in Gunmetal and Brass 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRare "Mushroom Table Lamp" in gunmetal with polished brass dome shade with 3 bulbs by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The shade was hand-spun by metal artisans. An iconic Karl Spr...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Elegant Floor Lamp in Gunmetal with Brass Accents, 1980sLocated in New York, NYElegant floor lamp in gunmetal with polished brass accents and ball feet, American, 1980s. This lamp is beautifully made. It has been rewired with new sockets. Height is adjustable. ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Gunmetal and Chrome Floor Lamp by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Palm Springs, CAA glamorous 1970s gunmetal and chrome floor lamp by American renowned designer Karl Springer. The lamp has been newly rewired and has a new chocolate brown faux lizard shade. Overal...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Karl Springer Lucite Floor Lamp, 1970By Karl SpringerLocated in Chicago, ILKarl Springer Lucite floor lamp, circa 1970. Chrome base.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsLucite
- Karl Springer Mid-Century Modern Brass, Gunmetal & Lucite Floor Lamp AmericaBy Karl SpringerLocated in Miami, FL6 feet tall amazing and rare floor lamp by Karl Springer made in American in the 1970s. The Bronze Finish gunmetal stem is covered in Lucite with Brass De...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Karl Springer Floor LampsBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA matched pair of Karl Springer floor lamps executed in the style of Maison Jansen.Category
Vintage 1970s American Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Bronze Floor LampBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA bronze floor lamp from Karl springer Original surface Copy of a Giacometti design, Very Heavy.Category
Vintage 1970s American Floor Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Karl Springer Lucite Floor LampBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYLucite column floor lamp with a square brass base and double pull chain sockets, designed by Karl Springer. Rewired for use in the USA. Shade not included.Category
20th Century American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass