Karl Springer Nude Leather "Tulip" Armchair
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Nude Leather "Tulip" Armchair
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1984
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9119749148
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 Polished Steel and Brass BenchBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYOriginal circa 1970s Karl Springer polished stainless steel X-frame bench, with brass details and new black kid glove leather upholstery.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- Chrome and Lucite Urn Lamps after Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYChrome and Lucite urn lamps with Lucite feet. Height to socket, 15". Overall height, 22.5", can be adjusted with larger harp. Original faux lizard paper l...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
$4,800 / set - Heywood Company Victorian White Wicker Parlour Armchair SetBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in New York, NYPair of Victorian white painted wicker parlour chairs. Hand crafted intricate heart design back, and curved wicker leaves climb the front legs. Wonderful parlour, sunroom, or patio ...Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Chairs
MaterialsWicker
$2,800 Sale Price / set41% Off - Male Nude Descending A Staircase Painting by Patti HansenLocated in New York, NYMale Nude Descending a Staircase, extra large oil on canvas signed Patti Hansen, 1976. Unframed.Category
20th Century American Modern Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Italian Leather and Silver Repousse Jewelery BoxLocated in New York, NYItalian tooled leather jewelry box with hand-wrought sliver repousse top. Hallmarked 920 on corner of silver top. Missing key, Italy, circa 1950s.Category
20th Century Italian Art Deco Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gucci Gold Metal Letter Opener in Black Leather CaseBy GucciLocated in New York, NYGucci gold cast metal letter opener with signature double G logo at handle. Engraved signature on reverse GUCCI Made In Italy Original black leather case with Gucci stamp on back.Category
Late 20th Century Italian International Style Letter Openers
MaterialsMetal
- Karl Springer Tulip ArmchairBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYKarl Springer Tulip armchair. The chair is gilt leather over wood. Signed underneath.Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Gorgeous Karl Springer Style Regency Armchairs in Cream Lacquer - 4 AvailableBy Karl SpringerLocated in Atlanta, GAStunning, modern Regency armchairs in the style of Karl Springer. Restored in cream lacquer, cork fabric with distressed nail head detail. Total of four (4) are available. The price noted is for a pair.TOM ROBINSON MODERN...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Karl Springer Gilt Leather Tulip Armchair Lounge Chair, Signed, 1991, Gold, USA.By Karl SpringerLocated in Brooklyn, NYKarl Springer Gilt Leather Tulip Armchair, Signed, 1991, USA. Gilt leather over wood tulip armchair. Signed with leather label, Karl Springer 1991.Category
Late 20th Century American Armchairs
MaterialsGold Leaf
$4,354 Sale Price30% Off - Karl Springer "Dowelwood Armchairs"By Karl SpringerLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of large dowel wood armchairs made of cerused oak. Thick cow hide covered cushions. Great design by Karl Springer. Please confirm location NY or NJ.Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak, Cowhide
$4,200 / set - 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 - Vintage Karl Springer JMF Armchair 'Gilt' by Enrique Garcel for JimecoBy Karl Springer, Enrique GarcelLocated in Chicago, ILBeautiful vintage Karl Springer style chair by Jimeco. Designed by Enrique Garcel. Applied gold leaf shows some loss as it stands right now.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWood