Rare American Modern Stainless Steel Highboy, Karl Springer
View Similar Items
Rare American Modern Stainless Steel Highboy, Karl Springer
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 74 in (187.96 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s-1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hollywood, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: 15060886911192
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.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Parchment Cabinets in the manner of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Mid-Century Modern parchment covered two door cabinets on ebonized bases. In the style of Karl Springer.Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsParchment Paper
- Queen Anne American Cherry Bonnet Top Highboy, 18th CenturyLocated in Savannah, GAQueen Anne American Cherry Bonnet top highboy, 18th century.Category
Antique 18th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsCherry
- Patinated or Blackened Steel "Highboy" with Cast-Concrete and Walnut InteriorBy Stefan RurakLocated in Biddeford, METhis "highboy" features 4 deep drawers. The counter-top and base is cast concrete. The piece is wrapped and fully finished with steel that is employed as a veneer. The steel is black...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Cabinets
MaterialsConcrete, Steel, Cut Steel
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Cabinets, Chests, Nightstands, Karl Springer StyleBy Karl SpringerLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Mid-Century Modern cabinets, chests, nightstands, karl springer Style Pair of Nightstands or Chests in the Manner of Karl Springer, having a black lacquer and rattan finish. The base giving a floating chest...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Wonderful Lorin Marsh Jansen Stainless Steel Leather Top Bronze Chest CabinetBy Lorin MarshLocated in Roslyn, NYA wonderful Lorin Marsh three-drawer chest in stainless steel with hand-tooled leather top, with Russian gold bronze drawer pulls and acanthus leaves detail Called The "JANSEN CHEST ...Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Stainless Steel
- Small Karl Springer Style Chest on StandBy Karl SpringerLocated in Miami, FLSuperb small chest on stand in the style of Karl Springer Beige shagreen and chrome . Without he feet : 22" L, 11", 9" H.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsChrome