Parchment, lacquer, brass, and lucite. As the song goes, these are some of my favorite things. These finishes (among many other exotic finishes) were also the favorite things of designer Karl Springer, whose work is still coveted nearly 25 years after his death.
Born in Berlin, Karl Springer took a job at Lord & Taylor in New York where he began creating small decorative objects covered in fine leathers. His handmade designs quickly caught the eye of a discerning clientele and by the mid 1960’s he had his own workshop in New York, concentrating on furniture design. His business flourished after the Duchess of Windsor discovered his work and recommended him to her inner circle of society acquaintances.
His signature styles were classical Chinese and Art Deco, and he is credited with bringing back the popularity of shagreen, the rough skin of the Asian shark which had been popular in the 1920’s but had fallen out of favor. Shagreen, along with lacquered parchment, inlaid wood veneer, rare wood, metals, faux finishes, and granite, all became hallmarks of his pieces.
Today, Springer’s designs are sought after for their timeless appeal, seamlessly working alongside classical as well as modern and transitional decor. On Madison has assembled a collage of iconic Springer pieces. Our favorite things, indeed.
All images can be found on our Pinterest board, Madison Modern Blog.
