Karl Springer Rare Credenza in Taupe Leather and Brass 1985 'Signed and Dated'
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1985
- Condition:
- 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 Rare "Royal Palm 4 Door Cabinet" in Lacquered Goatskin ca. 1990By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Royal Palm 4 Door Cabinet" in olive/beige color lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American ca. 1990. Interior is finished in green lacquer. This cabinet exemplifies Karl Springer...Category
1990s American Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood, Lacquer
- Paul Evans Rare Large "Deep Relief Credenza" 1968 (Signed and Dated)By Paul EvansLocated in New York, NYRare and important hand-welded steel 4 door "Deep Relief Sculpted Credenza" with hand-painted enamels on doors and 3 cleft slate tops by Paul Evans,...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Credenzas
MaterialsSlate, Steel
- Karl Springer Telephone Table in Yellow Cobra with Brass Castors 1985, 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Telephone Table" covered in yellow cobra with moire silk on the bottom in brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1985 (leather label on bottom reads "Karl Springer 1985...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Rare Pair of Cantilevered "Mushroom Tables" 1990 Signed and DatedBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRare pair of “Mushroom Tables”, cantilevered with black oval leather tops on solid tubular brass bases which fit snugly over heavy lead weights by Karl Springer, American 1990 (both ...Category
1990s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Karl Springer Set of 4 "J.M.F. Barstools" in Brown Leather 1986 'Signed & Dated'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYSet of 4 exceptional “J.M.F. Barstools” in brown leather with brushed brass foot rests by Karl Springer, American 1986 (signed and dated on bottom “Karl Springer 1986”). The craftsma...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Stools
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Cobra Telephone Table with Brass Castors 1988 'Signed and Dated'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Telephone Table" covered in beige cobra with moire silk on the bottom in brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1988 (label on bottom reads "Karl Springer 1988").Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Monumental Karl Spring Goat Skin CredenzaBy Karl SpringerLocated in Mt Kisco, NYA monumentally large Karl Springer custom angular credenza in a creamy, ultra-luxurious goatskin. The goat skin hides on the front have a wonderfully matched curved detail that makes...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGoatskin
- Lacquered Goatskin Parchment Credenza by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Palm Springs, CA1980’s goatskin parchment lacquered credenza by Karl Springer. In amazing vintage condition shows minor wear consistent with age. Constructed of wood covered with a grayish tan g...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood, Lacquer, Parchment Paper
- Karl Springer Style Midcentury Faux Snakeskin CredenzaBy Karl SpringerLocated in Countryside, ILKarl Springer Style midcentury faux snakeskin credenza. This credenza measures: 80.5 wide x 20 deep x 31.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call resto...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- Karl Springer Style Mid Century Lacquered Goatskin and Chrome CredenzaBy Karl SpringerLocated in Countryside, ILKarl Springer Style Mid Century Lacquered Goatskin and Chrome credenza This credenza measures: 78 wide x 18 deep x 30 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Monumental Sized Karl Springer Goatskin Credenza with COABy Karl SpringerLocated in Culver City, CAThis piece is absolutely stunning!! A monumentally large Karl Springer custom angular credenza in a creamy, ultra luxurious goatskin. The goat skin hides on the front have a wonderfully matched curvy seem that is just stunning. This dreamy credenza would be an impressive addition to any dining room, living-room console or entry piece and would effortlessly flex into even a more business or industrial environment. We currently have this piece in our gallery paired with a set of Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofas with a Paul Evans coffee table and a Gabriella Crespi console...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGoatskin
- Postmodern Waterfall Faux Stone Credenza in The Karl Springer's Style. C 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in Miami, FLMonumental Postmodern Waterfall Faux Stone Sidebar Credenza in The Karl Springer's Style. Circa 1980s Features a faux stone composite waterfall top with textured plaster covered doo...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Credenzas
MaterialsPlastic, Plaster, Wood