Karl Springer "Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Lacquered Chinese Red 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very minor age appropriate wear. Structurally sound.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5824236605702
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: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Karl Springer Style Mark V Parchment Macassar Ebony & Gilt Iron Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMacassar ebony veneer, gilt iron and parchment coffee table in the style of Karl Springer circa 1995. signed on underside.Category
1990s American Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBerlin Iron, Gold Leaf, Metal
- Karl Springer Mark V Parchment Macassar Ebony & Gilt Iron Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMacassar ebony veneer, gilt iron and parchment coffee table by Karl Springer circa 1995. Signed on underside.Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMacassar, Parchment Paper
- Pair of Karl Springer Pouf Ottomans, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of Karl Springer pouf ottomans from the 1980s. Feature a polished stainless steel plinth base on four casters. They have been reupholstered in a creamy off white boucle fabric. ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair of Karl Springer "Regency Armchairs" 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of Karl Springer "Regency Armchairs" from the 1980s. The chairs are heavy polished stainless steel and brass. The cushions have been reupholstered in a green / blue Pierre Frey ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Stainless Steel
- Karl Springer Telephone Drinks Table in Red Cobra SkinBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer telephone table, drinks table wrapped in authentic red cobra skin. Supported by four bronze casters. Signed with metal Tag "Karl ...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsAnimal Skin
- Karl Springer Vermicelli Ball Lamp, Coromandel Circa 1979By Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Karl Springer 1979 Gold & Silver Leaf Incised Black Wood Ball Table Lamp This table lamp, designed by the renowned Karl Springer in 1979, is crafted with attention to detail...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWood
- Karl Springer "Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Lacquered Linen, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYElegant “Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Chinese red lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The subtle shape, color and craftsmanship of t...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLinen, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
- Karl Springer "Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in Platinum Leaf 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYStunning “Chinese Cube Style Coffee Table" in lacquered platinum leaf by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The subtle shape, color and craftsmanship of this...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsPlatinum
- Karl Springer Large "Chinese Style Coffee Table" 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYLarge "Chinese Style Coffee Table" in pale yellow lacquered linen by Karl Springer, American, 1980s.Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLinen, Lacquer
- Karl Springer Rectangular Coffee Table in Lacquered Goatskin, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptional coffee table in lacquered goatskin, rectangular with chamfered corners, by Karl Springer, 1980's. This table is meticulously crafted and an iconic Springer form. Reference: Copy of original Karl Springer invoice dated 1985 with the description, “Di-Gerlando Style Coffee Table 54...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood, Lacquer
- 1980s Karl Springer Style Brass Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in South San Francisco, CADark Grey Karl Springer Coffee Table with Brass Detail in great condition with light signs of wear along the edges. Unmarked. Dimensions: Width - 42” Height - 18” Pick-up and ...Category
Vintage 1980s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Karl Springer Classic Waterfall Coffee Table in Lacquered Goatskin, 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYIconic petit coffee table with waterfall design in lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American 1980s. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship are superb. Expect nothing else...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood, Lacquer