Parzinger Originals Cabinets
American
When in the 1930s Tommi Parzinger won a trip to the United States through a poster design competition for a German steamship company, it led to him to become one of the country’s most influential mid-century modern furniture designers with his company, Parzinger Originals.
Born in 1903 in Munich, Germany, into an artistic family, Parzinger studied ceramics, painting and design at the Kunstgewerbeschule. In 1932, he entered and won a poster design contest for the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamship company. The grand prize was a voyage to the United States. By the time Parzinger returned to Germany, unrest leading to World War II was emerging, and he was pressured to join the Nazi party. Parzinger fled back to the United States and settled in New York City, where he pursued a career in interior design.
His first job in the country was with Manhattan trendsetter Rena Rosenthal, who employed him to design household silverware for her famed Madison Avenue store. Later, he became the lead designer for the Charak Furniture Company. In the 1940s, with the help of business and life partner Donald Cameron, Parzinger opened his showroom, Parzinger Originals, on East 57th Street in Manhattan.
Throughout his career, Parzinger produced up to 30 pieces a year for his namesake company. They included refined, elegant and meticulously designed end tables, side tables, consoles, floor lamps, table lamps, seating and mirrors. His signature creations were commodes and credenzas featuring beautifully ornamented hardware and lacquer finishes. His clients included Marilyn Monroe, Billy Baldwin and some of New York’s wealthiest families, like the DuPonts and Rockefellers.
Parzinger also collaborated with other furniture companies, including Salterini, Hofstatter, Lightolier, Reed & Barton and Dorlyn. In the last 15 years of his life, he shifted his focus from furniture to Expressionist painting.
When Parzinger died in 1981, Parzinger Originals was left to Donald Cameron, who fought to protect Parzinger’s design legacy from copycats and reproductions. Nevertheless, Parzinger Originals soon closed.
In recent years, Parzinger Originals furniture has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity among interior designers and collectors of mid-century modern and modern furniture. Pieces from Parzinger Originals are in the collections of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of Parzinger Originals case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, lighting and more.
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Creator: Parzinger Originals
Tommi Parzinger 2-Door Cabinet with Illuminating Glass Top 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
2 Door cabinet with sculpted doors and sides with geometric motif with iconic etched brass pulls and hinges, and illuminating glass top by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, Am...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Parzinger Originals Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Tommi Parzinger One-of-a-Kind Bar Cabinet in White Ash Burl with Inlays 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind custom design raised 4 door bar cabinet with doors in white ash burl with satinwood inlays with etched polished brass pulls and ba...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Parzinger Originals Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Rare and Impressive Illuminated Bar Cabinet 1950s 'Signed'
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
Rare stunning bar cabinet in artisan faux parchment lacquer with 4 doors, each with an exquisitely etched chrome pull, and a beautifully outfitted interior lacquered Chinese red by T...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Parzinger Originals Cabinets
Materials
Chrome
Tommi Parzinger Iconic Cabinet with Brass Studs 1950s, 'Signed'
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
Iconic 2 door cabinet model 146 in white lacquer with brass studs, etched brass pulls, and inset milk glass top by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals 1950s (signed “Parzinger Originals” on inside of drawer). This beautiful cabinet exudes the refined elegance. It is beautifully made and very chic.
Reference:
Parzinger Originals Inc. catalog published in the 1950’s...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Parzinger Originals Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Studded Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals lacquered in Robins Egg blue exterior and a white interior. Cabinet on a lacquered black base. Four doors w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Parzinger Originals Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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This refined and sophisticated Parzinger credenza with glass display hutch is perfect for those high-end luxury pads looking for an incredible and collectible statement piece, which Parzinger was known to create. The gorgeous color is close to the Hermès orange, but perhaps a little bit deeper and bolder - perhaps somewhere between Hermès orange and blood orange. Beauty in every detail, from the cross-cut glass panes, to the upper flared embellishments and the signature Parzinger door handles.
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This french polish cabinet...
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Tommi Parzinger Chests for Charak Modern- A Pair
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Tommi Parzinger Small Chest for Parzinger Originals
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Located in Dallas, TX
A small chest / nightstand designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. Original blue lacquer with pull out file drawer on casters.
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Tommi Parzinger for Charak Midcentury Bar Cabinet, Pair
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Previously Available Items
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Parzginer Originals Studded Cabinet by Tommi Parzinger, c 1960s, Signed
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite work of art is by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, circa 1960s, signed 'Parzinger Originals' underneath. A sizable liquor cabinet, or can be used for many other purposes such as books, blankets, or paraphernalia, this piece is versatile and would make an eye-catching statement in any room in any home or space.
Ideal for collectors or luxury interior designer clients, this extremely rare Parzinger Originals cabinet features glossy black lacquer front, top and sides with large monumental intricately designed brass handles, oversized round wooden studs, and huge carved wood door hinges which wrap front the front to the sides of this incredible work of functional art. This fantastic Tommi Parzinger cabinet sits on top of a wooden base with four elegant turned wood feet. Inside is a glossy pink backing and two glass shelves. Additional shelves can be added and can be reconfigured in many different heights throughout the interior to suit your customized needs.
Parzinger Originals signed pieces are extremely sought after by collectors and are exceptionally rare to find. This piece is also quite unique, may be a one of a kind custom request. Whether your home, office or creative studio is designed in Hollywood Regency, Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco, Contemporary or Classical - this fine cabinet will surely be your statement piece taking center stage in your room. Consider using as a blanket chest, highboy credenza, liquor cabinet / dry bar, sideboard, vitrine, bookcase, china wall unit...
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H 50.75 in W 40.25 in D 24 in
Parzinger Originals cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Parzinger Originals cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Parzinger Originals cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original cabinets by Parzinger Originals were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider cabinets by M. Singer & Sons, Charles Hollis Jones, and Johnson Furniture Company. Prices for Parzinger Originals cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $18,000 and can go as high as $45,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $26,000.