Domenico “Ico” Parisi was one half of a prolific postwar design duo he comprised with his wife, Luisa. Their furniture designs are known for running the stylistic gamut, with celebrated mid-century modern pieces ranging from elegantly skeletal — like dramatic ebonized dining chairs — to plush and shapely, like the iconic 1951 Egg chair, in a plethora of materials.
The son of an art teacher father, Ico Parisi was exposed to art at an early age. Born in 1916 in the Sicilian capital of Palermo, he and his family moved to Como in 1925. There, the young Parisi would begin to develop his interest in architecture and design. After earning a degree as a building inspector in 1936 and working as a civil engineer, Parisi took on an apprenticeship in the studio of Giuseppe Terragni, the modernist, fascist Italian architect, pioneer of the Rationalist movement and creator of the iconic Casa del Fascio.
While working for Terragni, Parisi crossed paths with such contemporary design talents as Lucio Fontana, Bruno Munari and Pietro Lingeri, though he briefly moved away from design and architecture to explore photography and film. His artistic work would soon be interrupted, however, by the outbreak of World War II, during which he served at the front before returning to Como in 1943. There, he resumed work as a designer and architect, founding two architecture groups: the Alta Quota and the Gruppo Como.
Through his creative circles, Parisi met Luisa Aiani, a former student of the prolific architect and furniture designer Gio Ponti, who was affiliated with the Alta Quota. They married in 1947 and founded the studio La Ruota — a cross between a design firm and an intellectual salon — in Como shortly thereafter. In 1950, Parisi finally completed his architectural schooling, studying under the nationalist architect Alberto Sartoris at the Athenaeum Architecture School in Lausanne, Switzerland. He and Aiani began several decades of sophisticated output, designing curved sofas upholstered in yellow velvet and armchairs with slender mahogany frames for enduring Italian manufacturers such as Cassina and others.
Much like Charles and Ray Eames in America, the Parisis worked as a team and relied on experimentation in style and material for many of their designs. Ico Parisi died in Como in 1996.
Find a collection of vintage Ico Parisi coffee tables, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.
Rare Ico Parisi Italian Modern Lounge Chairs for MIM - A Set of 3
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
These rare lounge chairs were designed by Ico Parisi in the Mid-20th Century and produced by MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni). The chairs are mahogany and bent plywood, with an elegant ...
Mahogany, Plywood
Rare Lounge Chair by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, 50s Italy
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Rare lounge chair by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma (Mobili Italiani Moderni), 50s Italy. Rosewood shell with Cognac leather upholstery and cast aluminum base. Leather has been reupholstere...
Leather, Rosewood
Ico Parisi, Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Set in Rattan for Bonacina, 1956
By Ico Parisi, Bonacina
Located in Milan, IT
Ico Parisi, Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Set in Rattan for Bonacina, 1956 Designed in 1956 by Ico Parisi for the illustrious Bonacina company, renown...
Leather, Bamboo, Straw, Cane, Rattan
Pair of Chairs by Ico Parisi for Fratelli Reguitti
By Ico Parisi, Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Red Lion, PA
A pair of “Lord” lounge chairs designed by Ico Parisi for Fratelli Reguitti Solid teak frame very good condition
Fabric, Teak
Italian Modernist Scooped-Back Leather Lounge/Accent Chair by Ico Parisi for MIM
By Ico Parisi
Located in Kensington, MD
Chair of sculpted wood and vintage brown leather. Designed by Ico Parisi, the experimental mid century modernist designer. The lounge chair fits inside the range of elegant designs t...
Wood
Ico Parisi Lounge Chair Model 856, Leather & Aluminum, Italy, 1957
By Ico Parisi, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Hellouw, NL
A clean and thoughtful design by Ico Parisi, this lounge chair shows how Italian furniture moved towards lighter and more open forms in the late 1950s. Produced by Cassina, it balanc...
Aluminum
Set of Lounge Chairs in Teak by Ico Parisi for Fratelli Reguitti, Italy, 1950's
By Ico Parisi, Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Pair of lounge chairs designed by Ico Parisi for Fratelli Reguitti, Italy, 1959. Solid wooden frames with a light brown lacquered finish and a pronounced grain pattern. The design co...
Fabric, Teak
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair for Cassina, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the material. Designed by Ico Parisi in 1960 for Cassina, at that time “Figli di Amedeo Cassina”, the 875 is a welcoming and elegant armchair. The author’s ...
Metal
$11,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Italian Design: Ico Parisi 856 Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1950s
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
A pair of “856” lounge chairs by Ico Parisi for Cassina, produced during the 1950s in Italy. The chairs have been beautifully re-upholstered in new dark brown semi-aniline leathe...
Metal
$3,502Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 18.12 in D 20.87 in
Set of Six Mahogany Chairs Mod.110 by Ico Parisi for Cassina - Italy - 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful set of six chairs in elegant mahogany and comfortable hazelnut-colored velvet born from the pencil of Ico Parisi and made since the 1960s, by the prestigious Cassina compan...
Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair and Ottoman by DUX
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning vintage modern lounge and ottoman covered in tufted black leather with a tubular chrome plated frame. This sleek lounge chair boasts thick cushioned arm rests, a sculpted ...
Metal
$2,392Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 28.35 in D 30.71 in
Ico Parisi Italian Midcentury Armchairs for Mim
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in bari, IT
Set of four armchairs in white fiberglass Kubilia series of Ico Parisi for M.I.M. Rome, Italy. Ico Parisi was born in Palermo in 1916. He gained a diploma in construction and served his apprenticeship in Giuseppe Terragni's studio. In 1937 he carried out, for the magazine Quadrante, a photographic study of the Casa del Fascio that marked the entire research that Parisi conducted in "meditating on the legacies and contradictions of the enormous baggage of ideas and forms constituted by the experience of the masters". His activity, marked by continuous experimentation, is an incessant quest in the fields of architecture, art and design. Between 1948 and 1950 he devoted himself to the study of furniture elements. In the field of design, crucial encounters with Munari and Fontana (1951) and Melotti profoundly marked his experience. In 1948 he founded the studio La ruota with his wife Luisa Aiani, a designer and designer, which ceased its activity in 1995. In 1954 he was awarded the Gold Medal at the X Milan Triennale with the work Padiglione Soggiorno, with Silvio Longhi and Luigi Antonietti. In 1957 he presented at the exhibition Colori e forme della casa d'oggi the work Casa per vacanze, which was the result of a collaboration with Manlio Rho...
Velvet, Fiberglass
$3,550 / set
H 31.5 in W 32 in D 25 in
Ico Parisi Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman in New Boucle Mid Century Modern
By Ico Parisi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Italian Lounge Chair and Ottoman, in the style of Ico Parisi, unsigned, Italy, circa 1950s. It has recently been reupholstered in an ivory color boucle and refinished in b...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,554 / set
H 26.78 in W 17.33 in D 16.93 in
Ico Parisi per MIM Roma Coppia di Sedie da Pranzo, Italia 1960s
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Naples, IT
Coppia di sedie di Ico Parisi per MIM, Italia, anni '60. Chairs with a wooden frame and upholstery in original rope-colored fabric, designed by Ico Parisi for the MIM company in Rome...
Fabric, Wood
$2,870
H 33.47 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Swivel Desk Chairs "Terni" by Ico Parisi for MIM Rome Italy
By Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM), Ico Parisi
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This elegant and incredibly comfortable pair of executive desk chairs from the Terni series was designed by Ico and Louisa Parisi and manufactured by MIM Roma, Italy, in 1960. Each c...
Aluminum
Italian modern office chair by Ico Parisi for MiM, 1970s
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern office chair by Ico Parisi for MiM, 1970s Office chair or armchair with padded seat and backrest, upholstered in brown leather with a wooden frame. The four-spoke meta...
Metal
$3,588 / set
H 33.86 in W 31.11 in D 32.29 in
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Italian Armchairs for Ariberto Colombo, 50s, Pair
By Ico Parisi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Two iconic armchairs designed by Ico Parisi. Elegant and comfortable, with original upholstery, but as you can see in the photo, it is worn and the seat padding needs replacing. Beec...
Velvet, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Leather and Aluminum Lounge Chairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
These exceptional vintage lounge chairs represent the pinnacle of 1970s American craftsmanship, where bold architectural design meets timeless luxury. Each chair features midnight-bl...
Aluminum
$2,200
H 33.47 in W 20.87 in D 23.63 in
Terni Series Office Chair by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy, 1958
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Ico Parisi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Office chair by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, a timeless masterpiece of mid-century Italian design. This office chair from Ico Parisi's renowned Terni series was crafted in 1958. Made of ...
Metal
$6,950 / set
H 39.59 in W 33.47 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Italian Franco Albini Rattan Margherita Chairs for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Margherita rattan chairs designed by Franco Albini for Bonacina, Italy. These sculptural chairs are beautifully crafted and present a rich, desirable patina that enhances t...
Rattan
$3,707 / set
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Italian Mid Century Rattan B4 Armchair and Pouf, Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, 1950s
By Bonacina, Tito Agnoli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid Century Modern rattan B4 armchair and pouf by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, 1950s Armchair mod. B4 with armrests and curved backrest complete with footrest, entirely in ratt...
Rattan
Sold
H 27.37 in W 30.32 in D 31.5 in
Pair of early '875' lounge chairs by Ico Parisi for Cassina, 1960s
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Sittard, LI
Pair of early production '875' lounge chairs designed by Ico Parisi and manufactured by Cassina in the 1960s. These chairs represent the first edition of the 875 model, featuring a f...
Metal
Ico Parisi Chair "Model 869" In Walnut For Cassina, Italy 1960's
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Ico Parisi chair in walnut ""Model 869"" made for Cassina in Italy in the 1960s. This chair is newly upholstered in green fabric (see reference picture). The details of the wooden fr...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 27.25 in D 30 in
Model 856 Rare Pair of Matched Leather Lounge Chairs by Ico Parisi, 1950s
By Casina, Ico Parisi
Located in Skokie, IL
Ico Parisi model 856 rare pair of rare lounge chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1950s. Dimensions: 30" H x 27 1/4" W x 30" D
Steel
Pair of Wood Armchairs by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Italian design pair of armchairs or lounge chairs in wood and his original leatherette upholstery in good condition, show normal sign of wear by Ico Parisi for the...
Faux Leather, Wood
Set of 2 sling chairs by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy 60’s.
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Set of 2 sling chairs by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy 60’s. Chrome metal frame, wooden slats and reupholstered black leather seats. Some slats have been reattached at invisible pla...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 33.47 in D 30.32 in
Midcentury Armchair by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma Made by Wood and Black Leather
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A beautiful armchair with rosewood veneered frame and new high quality leather upholstery designed by Ico Parisi and manufactured by MiM Roma in the ‘60s. Signed with applied manufac...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Swivel Chairs by Ico Parisi for MIM Italy, 1960s
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century rosewood swivel/desk chairs by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma. (Mobili Italiani Moderni) Aluminum star-shaped base. Good condition. 1960s - Italy Dimensions: Hei...
Leather, Rosewood
Italian Modern Ico Parisi Chair in Walnut, Model 869, 1960s
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful Italian Modern Ico Parisi chair in walnut Model 869. This chair is made for Cassina in Italy in the 1960s. It is newly upholstered in green fabric (see reference picture). ...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Ico Parisi Armchairs, Ariberto Colombo, Italy 1951
By Ariberto Colombo, Ico Parisi
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian pair of armchairs was designed by Ico Parisi and manufactured by Ariberto Colombo in Cantu in the 1950s. The piece of furniture is upholstered in a grey and white stripe...
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Pair of Armchairs in Grey-Green, Model '875', Ico Parisi, 1960
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Berlin, DE
These very elegant and minimal, precise armchairs have a matt chromed metal structure and new upholstery and cover. The cover is made of 100% wool in a cool grayish green. Excellent ...
Metal, Chrome
Ico Parisi for Cassina 856 Lounge Chair
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
856 lounge chair by Ico Parisi for Cassina. This iconic design features a sculptural form of a lightweight black-painted steel frame with solid ...
Steel
Ico Parisi Italian Midcentury Modern Dark Wood Armchairs for Mim , 1950s
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Very rare Italian couple of armchairs designed by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, with curved wooden structure and leather covering, manufacture label under the seat, circa 1950. Bibliog...
Faux Leather, Wood