Karl Springer Pair of "Souffle Ottomans" with Polished Gunmetal Bases, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished. Condition: Excellent - metal has been professionally polished and lacquered. Fabric is new.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Karl Springer "Souffle Ottoman" with Polished Steel Base, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Souffle Ottoman" with artisan decorated fabric and base in polished stainless steel with hidden castors, by Karl Springer, American 1980s. As with all of Karl Springer’s designs, th...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Karl Springer "Souffle Ottoman" with Brass Base and Silk Upholstery 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Souffle Ottoman", base in solid seamlessly welded brass with hidden castors and silk upholstery, by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This ottoman is not only chic, it is comfortable...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pair of Karl Springer "Dowelwood Ottomans", 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of “Dowelwood Ottomans” with cushions upholstered in brown zebra printed pony skin by Karl Springer, American 1980's. These ottomans, like all of Springer’s pieces, are beautifully crafted. Reference: Karl Springer LTD Red Binder Catalog published in the 1980’s, section “seating” on page 17...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsAnimal Skin, Wood
- 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
- Rectangular Ottoman in Beige Chenille, 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYFully upholstered rectangular ottoman in beige chenille, American 1970's. This handsome ottoman is in the style of a Karl Springer Souffle ottoman.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsChenille, Foam, Wood
- Karl Springer Large Dining Table in Goatskin with Brass Bases 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRacetrack dining table with top in lacquered goatskin with 2 half-moon brass bases by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The goatskin finish is both luxurious and stunning. The custom b...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Pair of Souffle OttomansBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of Karl Springer Souffle Ottomans / Poufs. The bases of the ottomans are brushed steel and upholstered in satin with a hand-painted abstract patt...Category
Vintage 1980s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsSteel
- Karl Springer Pair of Souffle OttomansBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYPair of Karl Springer Souffle Ottomans / Poufs. The bases of the ottomans are brushed steel and upholstered in satin with a hand-painted abstract pat...Category
Vintage 1980s Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsSteel
- Karl Springer Soufflé OttomanBy Karl SpringerLocated in Doraville, GAVintage Karl Springer Soufflé ottoman or pouf recently reupholstered in a gray 100% wool felt. The Kvadrat fabric is Divine Melange 3, 1...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair of Karl Springer Soufflé Ottomans or PoufsBy Karl SpringerLocated in Middlesex, NJPair of Karl Springer Soufflé ottomans or poufs Note: Polished steel bases on castors - showing reflection of floor on bases.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Karl Springer Attributed Souffle Pouf Ottoman PairBy Karl SpringerLocated in Westfield, NJVintage circa 1980s Karl Springer attributed soufflé pouf ottomans. Cube shaped with rounded edges and in original found fabric. Fabric has shades...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsFabric, Foam
- Pair Karl Springer Style 'Souffle' Ottoman PoufsBy Karl SpringerLocated in Brooklyn, NYc. 1980, American, pleated upholstered seat on solid brass base.Category
Vintage 1980s American Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsBrass