Karl Springer Telephone Table in Red Pony Skin, 1980s (Signed)
View Similar Items
Karl Springer Telephone Table in Red Pony Skin, 1980s (Signed)
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 13 in (33.02 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Style:Modern (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: occasionaltable1641stDibs: LU783827372732
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 "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 "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 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 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 2-Tier Side Table in Red Python with Horn Handles 1977, 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYUnique 2-tier side table in red python with authentic horn handles with small brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1977 (label on bottom reads “Karl Springer 1977”). Fine materia...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Telephone Table in Chestnut Snake Skin 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYBeautifully crafted Telephone Table in chestnut snakeskin with black accents and brass castors by Karl Springer, American 1970's. The bottoms are covered in moiré silk. As with all K...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Fine Karl Springer Python Red Snake Skin Two-Tier Side Drink Telephone TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in Roslyn, NYA Wonderful Karl Springer red python snake skin two-tier side, drink, telephone table.Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin
$3,000 Sale Price32% Off - Karl Springer Telephone Table Snakeskin and Brass, 1990By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYA beautiful Postmodern 'telephone' side or end table by designer Karl Springer, 1990. Table is covered in a beautiful authentic snakeskin in a medium brown and supported by small bra...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Telephone Drinks Table in Red And White Cobra SkinBy Karl SpringerLocated in Stamford, CTKarl Springer style telephone table, drinks table, wrapped in authentic red and white dyed cobra skin. Supported by four bronze casters. A sweet little table with a lot of character,...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin
- Vintage Karl Springer Style End Table in Faux Skin FinishBy Karl SpringerLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage Springer inspired side table wrapped in an attractive faux snake skin. Deep curves around the edges with a square base. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dea...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsLacquer
- Pair of Karl Springer Snake Skin Two-Tier Side TablesBy Karl SpringerLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Karl Springer snake skin two-tier side tables. One with embossed leather label "Karl Springer 1983".Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin
- Pair of Karl Springer Snake Skin Two Tier Side TablesBy Karl SpringerLocated in Stamford, CTA pair of Karl Springer snake skin two tier side tables on wheels. Signed and dated.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin