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.
Thomas Bille Lounge Chair with Ottoman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Thomas Bille Lounge Chair with Ottoman The chair measures: 30 wide x 30 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 15.5 inches The ottoman measures: 30 wide x 23 deep x 14 inches high ...
Upholstery
Tabei lounge chair by Crump and Kwash
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Tabei Lounge Chair by Crump and Kwash COM upholstery / plywood construction / premium cushioning / down envelope 37”w x 34”d x 31”h (17” seat height) (27" arm height)
Upholstery
1980s Cube Lounge Chair
By Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980s club chairs in new ivory wool bouclé. Chic "floating cube" design on a recessed satin brass base with a nice seam detail at the rear. Attributed to Steve Chase but unmarked. On...
Brass
Postmodern Club Chair from the collection of Thierry Despont
Located in New York, NY
This postmodern club chair combines unlikely shapes, materials, and details. The hefty bulk is supported on two spheres in place of legs, and the overstuffed and extra rounded armres...
Bronze, Steel
Channeled Postmodern Lounge Chair by Kipp Stewart for Directional
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Brass base with new nubby wool upholstery. Designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional.
Wool
Canoa Lounge Chair by Wentz
By Guilherme Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Canoa Lounge Chair by Wentz Dimensions: D 140 x W 95 x H 58 cm Materials: Steel, Wood, Upholstery. Weight: 28,5kg / 63 lbs WENTZ SILENT AND NATURAL LIVING DESIGNED IN BRAZIL Brazilian brand of furniture, lighting and accessories design. We live in silence, contemplating the environments, through pieces that welcome well-being. We seek to give naturalness to living, with harmonic and sensorial simplicities. We express Brazilian uniqueness through our lines, highlighting local materials and technologies. With a contemporary tropical aesthetic, designer Guilherme Wentz's creations reflect the contemplative personality of their creator, connected to nature and obsessed with design. His designs present a new look at living, where each piece conveys a perfect balance between simplicity and functionality. 1987 — Guilherme Wentz is born on July 17, in the city of Caxias do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul, where he spent his entire youth. 2008 — Guilherme drops out of the Business Administration course to start a new creative life studying Product Design. 2010 — Begins his career as a designer at the Riva objects brand, where he works for two years. 2012 — Recently graduated, receives the IDEA Brasil award for his first product on the market, the Officer desk...
Steel
Lounge Chair by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic and stylish mid century lounge chair designed by Harvey Probber. This example is in good original condition, showing light cosmetic wear normal and consistent with age. Measur...
Upholstery, Wood
Low Rider Lounge Chair by Scott Klinker for Offi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Low Rider Lounge is an adult-sized lounger designed to fit indoor, outdoor, residential and public spaces. The chair's soft lines are friendly and comfor...
Plastic
Cantilevered Club Chair by Milo Baughman, United States, 1970s
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
With characteristic Mid-century flair, Milo Baughman designed this semi-circular cantilevered club chair for Thayer Coggin, with upholstery by the iconic Jack Larsen.
Chrome
$12,832
H 28.35 in W 37.41 in D 33.47 in
"Manhattan" armchair, designed by Jorge Zalszupin for "l'Atelier"
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Barcelona, ES
Fantastic "Manhattan" armchair designed by the Brazilian architect of Polish origin Jorge Zalszupin, produced by his own company “l’Atelier”, an authentic rarity. Perhaps “Manhattan”...
Iron
"Mitt" Lounge Chair by Bernhardt Design
By Bernhardt Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Mitt" Lounge Chair Designed by El Salvadoran Designers Harry and Claudia Washington and manufactured by Bernhardt Design. The organic minimalistic profile of the chair reminds one...
Fabric, Foam
Vintage Lounge Chair by Wendell Castle
By Wendell Castle
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage lounge chair designed by Wendell Castle circa 1970s. In bright orange with cup holder platform and original rubber foot ring. The chair is a playful design from Wendell Cas...
Fiberglass, Rubber
Pair of "Mitt" Lounge Chair by Bernhardt Design
By Bernhardt Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of "Mitt" Lounge Chairs designed by Harry and Claudia Washington and manufactured by Bernhardt Design (a third one is also available). The organic minimalistic profile of the ...
Fabric, Foam
Pair Nautilus Swivel Club Chairs attributed to Directional
By Directional
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of "Nautalis" armchairs in complementary mirrored composition attributed to Directional which in 1999 merged under Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth, Inc., Thomasville, North Carolina, where they were originally purchased in early 2000s. Fully upholstered in a luxurious textured fabric with slightly raised copper, bronze and silver medallion patterns, these chairs are modern in its organic form but also glamorous instead of being austere. They are practical chairs equipped with swiveling base and seat very comfortable with soft foam. The design was likely by Kagan. The color of the upholstery is rather dazzling with a silver and bronze subtle metallic tone and texture. The last three pictures...
Foam, Wood
Crescent Swivel Loung Chair Brass Base by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A glamorous swivel lounge chair designed and manufactured by Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) circa 1970-80s. Known as Ellipse or Crescent chair, the model was designed by Vladimir Kagan i...
Brass
Pair of French Lounge Chairs by Olivier Mourgue
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Atlanta, GA
Casual and chic compared to the more formal Barcelona chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe, this pair of lounge chairs by French designer Olivier Mourgue was dubbed as "joker" chair for its s...
Stainless Steel
