Karl Springer Hand-Carved African Table with Glass Top 1980s
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Hand-Carved African Table with Glass Top 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Diameter: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: occasionaltable1661stDibs: LU783827409172
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 Brass End Table with Beveled Black Glass Top 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Triangular Leg Metal End Table" in polished brass with beveled black glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This table is meticulously crafted and is a fine example of Springe...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Superbly Crafted End Table in Brass with Zebra Wood Top, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Triangular Leg Metal End Table" in mirror polished brass with double book matched zebra wood top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This table is meticulously crafted and is a fine ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer "Bristol Side Table" in Black Cobra 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYArtisan crafted "Bristol Side Table" in black cobra with drawer by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed with metal label in drawer "Karl Springer"). This table is meticulously craf...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin, Wood, Glass
- Karl Springer "Telephone Table" Style End Table in Leather and Shagreen, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptional Telephone Table style end table covered in brown leather with tops in dark brown shagreen on brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The bottom is covered in mat...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer "Triangular Leg Metal End Table" with Shagreen Top 1980s (Signed)By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Triangular Leg Metal End Table" in brass with shagreen top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed "Karl Springer" under top). This table is meticulously crafted and is a fine ex...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Sculpture End Table in Tessellated Coral Brass and Glass Top 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Sculpture Table" in tessellated coral with solid brass cover and thick cantilevered glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This table is meticulously crafted. Brass has been...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsCoral, Brass
- Karl Springer Gunmetal Brass, Glass End TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in LOS ANGELES, CAEnd table by Karl Springer in gunmetal, brass, glass and enameled wood. Crafted in New York circa 1980. This lovely piece has some light oxidation to the gunmetal and brass that is c...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Post-Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Style End TablesBy Karl SpringerLocated in Highland, INThis pair of handsome side tables are very similar to the designs of Karl Springer. They are wrapped in a textured fabric, painted a warm ivory color, and have sculpted corners/ legs...Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency End Tables
MaterialsWood
$3,600 / set - Karl Springer Shagreen Side TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in Dallas, TXKarl Springer side table with Shagreen top. Signature to bottom.Category
Vintage 1980s Side Tables
MaterialsShagreen
- Karl Springer Style Goatskin Side Table with DrawerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Locust Valley, NYVintage Karl Springer style goatskin side table with a single drawer and shelf. A chic Mid-Century Modern table in pale yellow colorCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsGoatskin
- Modern Karl Springer Style Sculptural Curved Waterfall Side End Table, 1980'sBy Karl SpringerLocated in Lambertville, NJModern curved waterfall side end table in the style of Karl Springer. This sculptural piece features a neutral cream-beige tone laminate. Beautiful as is or could be wrapped in grass...Category
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern End Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Wood
- Karl Springer Black Lizard Parsons Cube TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer black lizard Parsons side table attributed to Karl Springer, unmarked.Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin, Wood
$1,516 Sale Price20% Off