Tommi Parzinger Rare and Elegant Set of 8 T-Back Dining Chairs 1979
View Similar Items
Tommi Parzinger Rare and Elegant Set of 8 T-Back Dining Chairs 1979
About the Item
- Creator:Tommi Parzinger (Designer),Parzinger Originals (Workshop/Studio)
- Dimensions:Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 8
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1979
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: diningchairs2461stDibs: LU783838305472
Tommi Parzinger
German furniture designer Tommi Parzinger brought high-style modernism to the forefront. Taking a vivid, stylized approach to mid-century furniture, many of his works feature boldly colored lacquers and offbeat finishes that make his pieces stand out among the works of his peers. Despite his uniquely progressive vision, Parzinger showed equal expertise in producing fine, traditional furnishings.
Born in Munich, Parzinger moved to New York City in 1932. He began his practice in the United States by designing for the Manhattan style trailblazer Rena Rosenthal. In 1939, he established his first company, which split its focus between handcrafted silver household items — such as tea sets and barware — and home furnishings, like dining tables and cabinets. In his first year in business, Parzinger exhibited several pieces of furniture at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
A master craftsman, Parzinger sought out the most exceptional materials for his furniture, employing the finest woods — like mahogany and walnut — as well as including custom brass hardware and pewter inlays.
His silver works presented an elevated level of style and grace. A November 1939 article in LIFE magazine described Parzinger as “the most creative original designer of silverware in the United States.”
While he was still running his own business — creating 12 to 30 new designs each year — Charak Furniture Company appointed Parzinger as its head of modern furniture design. He modernized Charak’s design approach from a more traditional form to a mid-century modern style.
In the mid-1960s, Parzinger stopped designing furniture, turning his company over to his friend Donald Cameron. He shifted his attention to paintings, which he created until his death in 1981.
On 1stDibs, find a broad selection of vintage Tommi Panzinger tables, lighting, storage pieces and more.
Parzinger Originals
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.
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant Center/Game Table, 1970sBy Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYChic center / game table model 701 with tessellated birch wood top and polished chrome base by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1970's. The artisan tessellated top m...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Center Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Four Dining or Game Chairs with Studs in the Manner of Tommi Parzinger 1950'sBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in New York, NYSet of four dining or game chairs in white lacquer with chrome studs and white leather upholstery in the manner of Tommi Parzinger, American, 1950s. These chairs are very chic.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant Upholstered Bench with Tapering Legs 1950sBy Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYRare elegant upholstered bench, model number 313, with base in mahogany and upholstered seat with signature elements that wrap around frame by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsFabric, Mahogany
- Tommi Parzinger Rare and Impressive Illuminated Bar Cabinet 1950s 'Signed'By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYRare 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsChrome
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant Chest of Drawers with Etched Brass Pulls 1950s 'Signed'By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYSuperbly crafted high chest of drawers in mahogany with etched brass pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950's (signed "Parzinger Originals” on inside of drawer). The restrained elegance of this piece is classic Parzinger. Refinished by Lobel Modern...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant 6 Arm Chandelier in Brass with Crystal Beads 1950sBy Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYBeautifully crafted 6 arm chandelier model no 1 in brass with suspended crystal beads by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950's. Includes original shades. Brass has...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Selection of Elegant Dining Chairs by Tommi ParzingerBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Atlanta, GASelection of elegant "X" back dining chairs, designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered, and can be com...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
On Hold$1,500 / item - 1950's Tommi Parzinger Dining Chairs in Brunschwig & FilsBy Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in Southampton, NJSet of 6 Mahogany dining chairs for Parzinger Originals newly upholstered in Brunschwig & Fils woven Chinoiserie fabric. Circa 1950's in excellent vintage condition; ready for use. C...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Set of Four Tommi Parzinger Dining ChairsBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in San Francisco, CASet of four elegant and timeless design X-back dining chairs by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Perfectly refinished solid mahogany frames with new upholstered seats.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
$9,800 / set - Set of Six Tommi Parzinger Dining ChairsBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Stamford, CTSet of 6 rare Tommi Parzinger dining chairs. Two arm chairs. Four side chairs. Original fabrics and finish. Arm height 24.5". Side chairs: 15.5" W 20.5" D 39.5" H 18.5" seat height...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
$9,500 / set - Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Set of Six X Back Dining ChairsBy Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture CompanyLocated in Hanover, MASet of six original Tommi Parzinger X back mahogany dining chairs for Charak Modern. Four side chairs and two arm chairs. Arm height 26 inches. All chairs have been beautifully refinished by our expert restorer and are ready for the seats to be recovered. See our separate listings for the companion Parzinger dining table, china hutch and leather door cabinet...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Tommi Parzinger Blue Velvet Walnut High Back Dining Chairs Set of 8By Tommi ParzingerLocated in Chattanooga, TNThese Tommi Parzinger chairs exude dignified glamour in this sultry blue velvet material. We purchased this set from a decorator who spent thousands on this Kravet fabric and re-uph...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut, Velvet