Karl Springer Shagreen, Stone and Anodized Aluminum Side Tables - a Pair
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6668228242822
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 2 days of delivery.
- Karl Springer Shagreen, Stone and Anodized Aluminum Occasional TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRare occasional table by Karl Springer in shagreen, stone and anodized aluminum. Shagreen is in very good condition. Minor chips along stone edge. Wear to the anodized finish (please...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsStone
- Karl Springer Two-Tiered Gun Metal and Brass TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer two-tiered gun metal and brass table, unsigned. Original smoked glass shows signs of wear/wear to gun metal finish (please refer to photos). Would work well in a va...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Karl Springer Gray Shagreen and Leather Wrapped Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer shagreen and leather wrapped coffee table. Signed and dated. Gray tinted shagreen. Blue version available on separate listin...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLeather, Shagreen
- Karl Springer Blue Shagreen and Leather Wrapped Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer shagreen and leather wrapped coffee table. Signed and dated. Blue tinted shagreen. Gray version available on separate listin...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLeather, Shagreen
- Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass BoxBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer style tessellated stone and brass box. Mahogany lined interior with compartment for storage. Beautiful patina to the brass accents. Would work well in a variety of ...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsStone, Brass
- Karl Springer Style Green Lacquered Goatskin Console TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKarl Springer Style green lacquered goatskin console table. Beautiful green tones with brass accents. Patina to the brass and minor touch ups/imperfections to the lacquered finish (p...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsGoatskin
- 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 Shagreen Side/End Table, 1980By Karl SpringerLocated in Chicago, ILKarl Springer Shagreen Side/End Table, 1980. Original.Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern End Tables
MaterialsShagreen, Lacquer
- Pair of Goatskin Karl Springer Style Side TablesBy Karl SpringerLocated in Locust Valley, NYA pair of side tables in Karl Springer, Mid-Century Modern style square shape tables of lacquered goatskin with recessed panel surrounding top and Asian Style hoof feet. The neutral ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood
- 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
- Pair of Modernist Lacquered Parchment Side Table by Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Montreal, QCUnusual pair of lacquered parchment side tables by Karl Springer with interlocking glass top.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Glass
- 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