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Karl Springer Furniture

American, German, 1931-1991

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.

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Creator: Karl Springer
1970s Modernist Chromed Center Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A superb polished stainless steel "tulip" center table having a thick disc base and three flaring brass accented arms supporting a round glass top.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Karl Springer Pivoting Painted Goatskin Box
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pivoting box, covered in sliced petrified coral Label below. See photo can to get a sense of scale.   
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin

Karl Springer Sculptural Lucite Cocktail Table Base with Brass Caps Vintage
By Karl Springer
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful angled and sculptural Karl Springer lucite table base has brass caps.There is no glass provided for this great base. One...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Modern Round Table and Armchairs in Faux Lizard Embossed Leather
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Modern dining room set consisting of a round table and four armchairs, designed by Karl Springer. The set is surfaced in faux-lizard embossed leather. The chairs with armrests have a...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather

Pair of Brass and Gunmetal Table Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare pair of gunmetal and brass table lamps design by Karl Pringer in the 1980s. It’s rare to find this as lamps, they are usually candlesticks. They have been newly rewired with n...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Gunmetal and Chrome Floor Lamp by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous 1970s gunmetal and chrome floor lamp by American renowned designer Karl Springer. The lamp has been newly rewired and has a new chocolate brown faux lizard shade. Overal...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Karl Springer Gunmetal Wall Scones
By Karl Springer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These unique pair of 'Spun Shaped Wall Scones´ were designed by Karl Springer. The wall scones are made of Gunmetal and are placed on detailed Lucite backs which are made of satinate...
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Signed Karl Springer Ostrich Embossed Leather Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This iconic and rare waterfall design vintage side table by Karl Springer features a recessed drawer and 3/4 inch thick glass shelf (chip to glass on backside - not visible). Can be ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather, Glass

Karl Springer Python Console on Brass Base, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Striking console table designed and produced by Karl Springer in the mid-1970s. The top is covered in Python and the base is made of solid polished brass. Authentication by Tom Lange...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Grey Goatskin Ball Table Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Ball table lamp designed by Karl Springer covered in grey goat skin with brass details.  
Category

20th Century North American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Karl Springer Mahogany Club Chairs
By Karl Springer
Located in Hudson, NY
Upholstered in orange velvet, signs of normal wear on the velvet. Mahogany has been recently polished and is in excellent condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Pair of Brass and Lucite Tulip Sconces by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
By Karl Springer circa 1970s, this pair of sconces were made of solid brass and Lucite, wall-mounted and each holds two sockets, a great example of 1970s design that is inspired by g...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Lucite Floor Lamp
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Lucite column floor lamp with a square brass base and double pull chain sockets, designed by Karl Springer. Rewired for use in the USA. Shade not included.
Category

20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Extra Large Goatskin Beveled Mirror by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular extra large half round molding beveled mirror with step down detail. The mirror was designed by Karl Springer LTD in the 1980s. The mirror is covered with goatskin and ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin

Pair of Karl Springer Snake Skin Two-Tier Side Tables
By Karl Springer
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Karl Springer snake skin two-tier side tables. One with embossed leather label "Karl Springer 1983".
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin

Karl Springer Lighthouse Tablelamp
By Karl Springer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
‘Lighthouse’ table lamp designed by Karl Springer. This cone shaped lamp is covered by Pale Blue Shagreen with brass details.  
Category

20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Shagreen

Karl Springer Snakeskin Telephone Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Water Mill, NY
Karl Springer signed snakeskin telephone table on brass wheels. In pale yellow
Category

Late 20th Century Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Serpentine, Brass

Karl Springer "Pagoda Style Dining Table" in Lacquered Goatskin, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Pagoda Style Dining Table" in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American 1980s. This beautiful dining table is meticulously crafted and a wonderful example of Springer’s craftsma...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer Octagonal Chrome and Marbelized Lacquer Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer octagonal mirror with 1" bevel, framed in a butterscotch yellow veined lacquer that resembles marble at much less weight. Polis...
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Adrian Purcell Wall Sconces Sconces
By Karl Springer
Located in New Haven, CT
This Classic pair of Art Deco gunmetal wall sconce's was designed for "Purcell" by Karl Springer. This form comes in a few color and material variations. The gunmetal and clear Glass...
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of Modernist Lacquered Parchment Side Table by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Montreal, QC
Unusual pair of lacquered parchment side tables by Karl Springer with interlocking glass top.
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin, Glass

Set of Eight "Regency" Armchairs by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful set of eight "Regency" armchairs designed by Karl Springer in original lacquered lacewood.
Category

1980s Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Karl Springer Side or End Table in Tessellated Stone Signed
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Karl Springer Side or End Table in Tessellated Stone Signed Two-Tier Table with Drawer signed Karl Springer. Gorgeous, seldom-seen two-tier table in tessellated stone with brass inl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Stone, Brass

Murano Glass Torchère Floor Lamp by Karl Springer for Seguso
By Karl Springer, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous Murano scavo glass torchère floor lamp designed by Karl Springer in the 1980s for Seguso Italy. The lamp is signed by Karl Springer. The lamp takes a regular Edison ligh...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Magnificent Pair Karl Springer Marbleized Blue Lacquer Lucite Table Lamps, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent and rare pair of Karl Springer marbleized blue lacquer and Lucite bubble table lamps, USA, 1970s. Retains Springer's original marbleized blue lacquered finish over three ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s Presenting an extraordinary discovery from a lavish Palm Beach, Florida estate, we offer a breathtaking pair of custom-designed headboards hailing from the early 1980s. Crafted by the renowned Karl Springer Workshop, these headboards stand offer timeless elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship. Each headboard bears the leather signature tags of the legendary Karl Springer himself, elevating their value to a remarkable level of rarity. Prepare to be captivated by the opulent allure of these headboards, where steel, brass, and leather unite in perfect harmony. The exquisite combination of materials transcends the ordinary, forging an extraordinary visual symphony. Stealing the spotlight, the headboards boast a captivating ‘black oxide’ and brass finish, bestowing an air of sophistication and mystique upon their surroundings. Indulge in the magnificence of these headboards’ grand dimensions, which, when ingeniously combined, transform into a magnificent king headboard. With every glance, your eyes will be drawn to the mesmerizing gunmetal and brass details adorning the lustrous brass structure, imparting a sense of regality and grace. Marvel at the unique touch that Karl Springer Workshop has imparted upon these headboards—the embossed pale pink/beige lizard leather. This textured body elevates the headboards to an entirely new level of luxurious refinement, evoking a sense of untamed opulence. To authenticate their origin, the headboards bear the distinctive leather Springer labels, a testament to their exclusive craftsmanship. Designed with practicality in mind, these headboards mount...
Category

1980s Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Monumental "Saturn" Mirror by Karl Springer, 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Pasadena, CA
Enormous "Saturn" mirror in bevelled glass by Karl Springer, 1980s. Minor age appropriate wear (see photos) that in no way detracts from the striking and impressive quality of this m...
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Karl Springer Hand Painted Batik Leather Box
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A nice example in beautiful condition. Original invoice pictured.  
Category

1970s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather

Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining or Center Table 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Karl Springer Jansen Style Dining or Center Table 1980s Wagon wheel spoked design, sold in USA 1980s through Karl Springer Workshop and retailer Lorin Marsh. Karl Springer Jansen style dining table...
Category

1980s Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Karl Springer Telephone Table Snakeskin and Brass, 1990
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
A 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 Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Gunmetal, Brass Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, iconic Parsons style coffee table in heavy gunmetal with a smoked glass inset top and brass pinstripe inlay. Pictured in the Karl Springer catalog. In overall great cond...
Category

20th Century American Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Swing Arm Vanity / Shaving Mirror
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Swing arm chrome and brass vanity / shaving mirror by Karl Springer. Measured as shown. Mirror 13.5" diameter.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Karl Springer Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" in pale yellow lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American, 1980s.
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Linen, Lacquer

Nickel and Lucite Lamp By Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thick lucite stem with incised center channel on each side sites in chromed base with chrome accents. Highest quality construction.
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Karl Springer Exceptional Ostrich Skin Coffee Table 1980s (Signed)
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Elegant coffee table covered in ostrich skin with glass top by Karl Springer, American 1970's (signed with metal Karl Springer label on bottom). This table is a beautiful example of...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin, Wood

Karl Springer Monumental "Half Round Molding Mirror" in Lacquered Goatskin 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Monumental "Half Round Molding Mirror with Step Down Detail" in lacquered goatskin with beveled mirror by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This mirror is very impressive in scale and the goatskin is luxurious. Reference: Karl Springer Ltd red binder catalog published in the 1980’s, section titled “mirrors...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Goatskin

Large-Scale Leather and Brass Ottoman by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A large-scale leather and heavy brass ottoman designed by Karl Springer. Newly reupholster in a distressed gray leather. The round heavy brass bottom has hidden wheels, making movi...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp with String Shade by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Toledo, OH
A fantastic table lamp by Karl Springer. This great lamp features three round plaster compressed spheres separated by two Lucite spacers. It has a two light cluster socket with Sprin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Massive Pair of Karl Springer Purcell Sconces in Gun Metal finish , 1970s , USA
By Karl Springer
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Iconic pair of Art Deco style sconces.  Extremely light conductive vertical sculptural (waterfall like) slice of Lucite stacked together, mounted on a brass structure plated with...
Category

1970s American Art Deco Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Embossed Leather Waste Paper Basket
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Karl Springer (1930-1991) Square waste paper basket with curved sides wrapped entirely in tan lizard embossed leather. American, circa 1980.
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather

Karl Springer "Regency Arm Chair" in Lacewood Veneer, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Regency armchair" in lacewood veneer with leather seat and back by Karl Springer, American, 1970s.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Karl Springer Python Skin Table
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This can be used as either a bench or a table. A classic Franc 1940s design reimagined by Karl Springer, Label below
Category

Late 20th Century American Karl Springer Furniture

Karl Springer Bullfrog Skin Box, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural lidded box covered in bullfrog skin with brass hinge by Karl Springe, American, 1970s.
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin

Vintage Karl Springer JMF Armchair (Gilt) by Enrique Garcel for Jimeco
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful Vintage Karl Springer style Chair by Jimeco. Designed by Enrique Garcel. Applied Gold Leaf shows some loss as it stands right now.                
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Etruscan Wall Sconces Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of wall Etruscan sconces designed and manufactured by Karl Springer, circa 1970s. Made of chromed steel with opaque Lucite. Great proportion with modern materials and silhouet...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Karl Springer Hand Lacquered Kyoto Box 1984
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
"Kyoto Box" in double glaze faux mushroom shagreen lacquer with faux ivory inlay detail on matching Stand by Karl Springer, American, 1984. (Shown with origi...
Category

1980s North American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Karl Springer White Lacquered Crocodile Leather Coffee Table 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table covered in white embossed crocodile leather by Karl Springer, American, 1970s. A beautiful and luxurious Karl Springer design.
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Karl Springer "Sculpture" Side Tables in Sandstone
By Karl Springer
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is a rare pair of "Sculpture" tables in sandstone, bronze and glass, 12 inch diameter base By Karl Springer.
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Sandstone, Bronze

Karl Springer Souffle Ottoman or Pouf Double Size
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Custom created for a home filled with Karl Springer is this rare double length "souffle" ottoman pouf. A unique piece for it's size. Original fabric is in great condition but would a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Polished Steel and Brass Bench
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Original circa 1970s Karl Springer polished stainless steel X-frame bench, with brass details and new black kid glove leather upholstery.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of Sandblasted Lucite Torchere by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of monumental torchiere floor lamps. These oversized lamps were designed by Karl Springer for Karl Springer Ltd, circa 1970s for bespoken spacious interior as statement lighting. Will look amazing in a large living room or dinging room...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Lucite and Chrome Floor Lamps by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of beautiful Lucite and chrome floor lamps designed and manufactured by Karl Springer in the early 1970s for a private home in NY. The lamps came from the original owners and a...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Sconces in Patinated Bronze and Lucite by Karl Springer 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of patinated bronze sconces with illuminating sand-blasted Lucite inserts by Karl Springer, American, 1980s. This is the large version of these sconces. These sconces give off a lot of up light since each has 2 bulbs. They are stunning Springer sconces.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large Ron Seff Goat Skin Rare Lucite Base Expandable Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
Ron Seff Goat Skin Lucite base versatile extra-large expandable dining/conference table, when closed 72" with two leave 20"each when fully opened 112" in exceptional condition bevel...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Goatskin, Lucite, Wood

Karl Springer Console Dining Table Authenticated
By Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of authenticated tulip table bases designed and manufactured by Karl Springer, Ltd. The bases are currently configured as a pair of console tables with glass tops, but they can ...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Signed Karl Springer Table Lamp with a Sandblasted Glass Base, 1970s
By Karl Springer
Located in Vienna, AT
An impressive and rare table lamp by Karl Springer in the 1970s. Has a beautiful sandblasted glass base. In excellent condition, has a refurbished lampshade. Signed on bottom.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of Large Karl Springer Murano Scavo Glass Table Lamps, Signed
By Karl Springer, Archimede Seguso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pr Karl Springer Murano art glass table lamps. Large Trumpet form glass elements with lobed glass base. Textured milky finish. Signed Karl Spring...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Spun Shaped Wall Sconces" in gunmetal with Lucite backs and inserts by Karl Springer, American 1980s. Lucite illuminates when lights are on (see photo). Total of three ar...
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Karl Springer Furniture

Materials

Metal

Karl Springer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Karl Springer furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Karl Springer furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 596 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Karl Springer were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Charles Hollis Jones, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. Prices for Karl Springer furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $428 and can go as high as $75,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.

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