Karl Springer, through his unique style of design, was one of the greatest and most imitated designers of the 20th century. His influence can still be seen in contemporary design.
Springer was born in Berlin in 1931 but emigrated to New York after the war. One of his first jobs was as a window dresser for the Lord & Taylor Department Store where his style, inspired by Jean-Michele Frank and Tommy Parzinger became something of a talking point for local shoppers.
Soon after this, he created his own line of small furniture and accessories, selling through Henri Bendel's. This became an overnight success leading to him opening a small studio on East 52nd Street on what was then the emerging "Boutique Row." His work was so sought after that he soon started taking commissions from designers for ever larger pieces which were often made through his network of artisans, each piece made with unrivalled skill and exotic finishes; he always demanded the highest quality of materials and workmanship from his artisans.
It was here that he met industrial designer Mark Eckman, who specialised in Lucite furniture and accessories and, together, immediately began construction of a range of new designs, initially in Lucite but soon they moved on to metal, goatskin parchment and exotic wood veneers. Karl introduced his brother Joachim into the business which was expanding rapidly as awareness of his designs began to spread.
By the mid 1980's Eckman joined the company in a full-time capacity and Springer's showroom relocated to a 20,000 square foot penthouse on East 61st Street.
Karl died in mid 1991, leaving a magnificent legacy of design and was posthumously honoured with a one-man show at the New York School of Interior Design in 1994.
Springer was born in Berlin in 1931 but emigrated to New York after the war. One of his first jobs was as a window dresser for the Lord & Taylor Department Store where his style, inspired by Jean-Michele Frank and Tommy Parzinger became something of a talking point for local shoppers.
Soon after this, he created his own line of small furniture and accessories, selling through Henri Bendel's. This became an overnight success leading to him opening a small studio on East 52nd Street on what was then the emerging "Boutique Row." His work was so sought after that he soon started taking commissions from designers for ever larger pieces which were often made through his network of artisans, each piece made with unrivalled skill and exotic finishes; he always demanded the highest quality of materials and workmanship from his artisans.
It was here that he met industrial designer Mark Eckman, who specialised in Lucite furniture and accessories and, together, immediately began construction of a range of new designs, initially in Lucite but soon they moved on to metal, goatskin parchment and exotic wood veneers. Karl introduced his brother Joachim into the business which was expanding rapidly as awareness of his designs began to spread.
By the mid 1980's Eckman joined the company in a full-time capacity and Springer's showroom relocated to a 20,000 square foot penthouse on East 61st Street.
Karl died in mid 1991, leaving a magnificent legacy of design and was posthumously honoured with a one-man show at the New York School of Interior Design in 1994.