Free Form Coffee Tables in Polished Stainless Steel with Black Glass Tops 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Karl Springer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Width: 77 in (195.58 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Replacements made. Refinished. New glass tops fabricated by Lobel Modern. Bases have been professionally polished.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Karl Springer "Lucite Leg Coffee Table" with Thick Glass Top 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY“Lucite Leg Coffee Table” with beautifully made solid lucite legs and thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's. This can be configured with legs at the corners or one on eac...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Lucite
- Karl Springer "Round Leg Coffee Table" with Artisan Glass Top, 1980s, 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYOne-of-a-kind "round leg coffee table" in gunmetal and chrome with artisan glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed on bottom stretcher “Karl Springer”). Hand-etched circu...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Ron Seff Large Coffee Table in Brushed Stainless Steel and Brass, 1980sBy Ron SeffLocated in New York, NYMeticulously crafted large coffee table in brushed stainless steel and gold tinted brass with inset glass top by Ron Seff, American 1980's. Ron Seff was an acolyte of Karl Springer....Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass, Stainless Steel
- 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
- Karl Springer Exceptional "Ming Coffee Table" in Python 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptionally crafted "Ming Coffee Table" in black and white python by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The skins are in like-new condition. The craftsmanship of this table is superb. Reference: Karl Springer LTD red binder catalog published in the 1980’s, section “Coffee Tables...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Python
- Karl Springer Large "Coffee Table with Sculpture Leg" in Tessellated Coral 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYLarge and exceptionally crafted "Coffee Table with Sculpture Leg" with cylindrical legs in tessellated coral with solid brass tops and thick glass top by Karl Springer, American 1980...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCoral, Metal, Brass
- Karl Springer Free Form Coffee Table in Goatskin 1980s amoebaBy Karl SpringerLocated in Virginia Beach, VAAn exceedingly rare free form coffee table designed by Karl Springer. This table executed in a clear lacquered goat skin in a beautiful natural color way. Purchased from the origina...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Plywood, Lacquer
- 1980s Sculptural Karl Springer Coffee Table in Glass and Stainless SteelBy Karl SpringerLocated in Saint Louis, MOModern Karl Springer Monumental Coffee Table with heavy stainless steel leg supports and thick tempered glass top is of the sort that anchors any room - here is where we gather. Chic. Sexy. Timeless. Aptly named by Karl Springer as the Sculpture Leg Table...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Oval polished stainless steel black glass coffee tableBy BruetonLocated in New York, NYOval polished stainless steel and black glass coffee table by Brueton.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Modern Round Coffee Table Polished Stainless Steel Black Lacquer Black GlassBy João Faria, EMOTIONAL OBJECTSLocated in Vila Nova Famalicão, PTThe "Arabesque Center Coffee Table" listed here is a Showroom Sample made in black lacquered wood, frosted black tempered glass (tabletop), and polished stainless steel (feet). The Arabic pattern...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel, Metal
- Free Form Biomorphic Brass and Glass Coffee Table, 1970'sBy Karl SpringerLocated in Culver City, CAThis coffee table is absolutely gorgeous. Consisting of two circular bases, clad in brass with a free form / biomorphic black tinted glass top, this coffee table is jaw droppingly gorgeous. The free form glass top floats like a cloud on top of the two rounded bases, and the bases can be situated in a number of ways beneath the black tinted glass. This coffee table brings that 1970's glamour like none other. Very evocative of Karl Springer's free-form coffee tables, this large coffee table would look incredible in any Mid-Century Modern, modern, or glam environment. Juxtapose the Vladimir Kagan cloud sofa, this coffee table not only holds its own, it makes a bold, glamorous statement. We currently have this piece in the gallery paired with a Karl Springer goatskin credenza, a Vladimir Kagan sofa and Paul Evans lounge chairs...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- One of a kind brutalist coffee table 1980s with aluminium / copper / steel topsLocated in WEERT, NLOne of a kind brutalist coffee table 1980s with aluminium / copper / steel topsCategory
Vintage 1980s Dutch Other Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble, Gold Plate, Metal, Aluminum, Copper