Karl Springer Mirror in Crocodile-Embossed Leather
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Mirror in Crocodile-Embossed Leather
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 50 in (127 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Significant age to the mirrored glass.
- Seller Location:North Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: 14100380971655
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.
- Large 1970s Half Round Goatskin Mirror in the Manner of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in North Miami, FLA 70's bull-nosed mirror in the manner of Karl Springer has rich satin-finished goatskin in warm tones of gold and caramel. Can be hung vertically or horizontally.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
MaterialsGoatskin, Mirror
- Large Octagonal Mirror in Grey, Brown and Cream Python, circa 1980By Karl SpringerLocated in North Miami, FLA large 1980s octagonal beveled mirror with genuine python frame in gorgeous shades of grey and dark chocolate.Category
Vintage 1980s American Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Python
- Rope Console Table in the Manner of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in North Miami, FLA casual riff on the JMF console by Karl Springer (which was inspired by a much earlier Jean Michel Frank design), this rope stylish console threads the needle between formal and fre...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Organic Modern Console Tables
MaterialsRope, Wood
- Custom Olive Goatskin Onassis Chairs in the Manner of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in North Miami, FLA total of six custom "Onassis" -style chairs in olive goatskin with a light dusting of shimmery gold in the lacquer. Priced at $3600 per pair.Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood
- Signed Karl Springer Goatskin and Smoked Glass Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in North Miami, FLElegant Parson's style coffee table by Karl Springer in matte-finished, pale bleached goatskin with contrasting smoked glass top, circa 1980. Leather maker's label.Category
Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Smoked Glass, Wood
- 1960s Modernist Walnut and Polished Aluminium MirrorsLocated in North Miami, FLProfessionally restored, high-quality, 1960s polished aluminium and walnut mirrors. Sold individually.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsAluminum
- Snakeskin Embossed Leather Mirror in the Style of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in San Francisco, CAThis Mid-Century Modern rectangular mirror is spiral wrapped in snakeskin embossed leather finished with tessellated stone corners. Made in the design style of Karl Springer, the mir...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsStone
- 1970's Leather Mirror in Embossed Python Snake in the Style of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FL1970s Round mirror wrapped in embossed leather with python snakeskin design. Features an ebonized lacquered wood pediment detail.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsLeather, Mirror, Mahogany
- Karl Springer MirrorBy Karl SpringerLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA vintage Karl Springer mirror in laquered frame.Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Wall Mirrors
$4,500 - Karl Springer Optic MirrorBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis is one of our favorite Karl Springer mirrors. Wood trim is dark blue.Category
Vintage 1970s American Wall Mirrors
MaterialsLacquer, Mirror
- Karl Springer Signed Cognac Suede Leather Octagonal MirrorBy Karl SpringerLocated in Atlanta, GAKarl Springer Signed Cognac Color Suede and Nickel Mirror, American, circa 1980s. Beautiful contrast of the cognac color suede and the matte finish chrome trim. Signed with branded K...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMetal
- Karl Springer Style MirrorBy Karl SpringerLocated in Houston, TXVintage Karl Springer style white oak bull nose wood mirror with brass detailing.Category
20th Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass