The Italian architect, artist and furniture designer Ico Parisi (1916–96) and his wife and frequent collaborator, Luisa Parisi (1914–90), formed one of the most prolific and spirited European design teams of the postwar period. Together they created a magnetic aesthetic that combines the refined angularity and elegance of the work of Gio Ponti with the liveliness and lightness of the furniture of Carlo Mollino.
Ico Parisi — his first name is short for Domenico — was born and raised in Palermo. He moved to the northern Italian city of Como in the early 1930s and lived and worked there the remainder of his life. He initially studied and worked as a civil engineer, but later became an associate in the office of architect Giuseppe Terragni, a leading light of the stern and formal Rationalist design movement. Ico moved in artistic circles that included Lucio Fontana and Bruno Munari; after he married Luisa Aiani — a former student of Gio Ponti’s — in 1947 their design studio became known as an artists’ salon. The couple’s big break as designers came the following year when their work was shown, along with that of Carlo Mollino, Paolo Buffa, Franco Albini and other greats, leading to contracts with manufacturers such as Cassina and Singer & Sons.
What attracted these firms was the Parisis’ fluency with a wide array of furniture forms. No two looks are quite alike. Their body of work includes a series of coffee and dining tables and consoles for Singer & Sons created in the early 1950s that feature notch-edged tops and javelin-shaped legs, and cabinets and credenzas such as those with plain fronts and molded-teak and plywood detailing for MIM Rome (1959). Their chairs range from sleek dining pieces with supple, bone-shaped backrests for Singer & Sons to the lush Model 813 Uovo, or Egg chair, for Cassina (1951). Then, as now, Parisi furnishings can fill an entire decor, yet seem eclectic and at the height of style.
Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1958
By Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Berlin, DE
Dressing table model 'Positano 1306' Veneered wood, black lacquered metal construction, adjustable mirror Dimension / D. 85.5 cm, T 45 cm, H 117 cm o mirror 38 cm Design / Ico & Luis...
Wood
$6,382
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 33.47 in
Ico and Luisa Parisi, Italian Mid-Century Modern Wooden Dining Table, circa 1950
By Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Ico and Luisa Parisi, Italian Mid-Century Modern wooden dining table, circa 1950 Please note : the "free shipping option" and/or "subsidised shipping option" if stated in the ...
Onyx, Metal
$5,570
H 30.32 in W 33.47 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Modern 'Positano 1306' Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid Century Modern 'Positano 1306' Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1958.
Wood
Silvio Cavatorta Dressing Table 1950's
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This elegant dressing table was designed by Silvio Cavatorta, a renowned Italian designer celebrated for his dedication to traditional craftsmanship over industrial mass production. ...
Metal
$6,725
H 29.93 in W 30.71 in D 18.12 in
1950s Vanity or Writting desk by Ico & Luisa Parisi for La Permanente Mobili
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ico Parisi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant Italian Mid-Century vanity table produced by La Permanente Mobili Cantù and attributed to Ico and Luisa Parisi, distinguished by its light architectural structure, refined pr...
Maple
Vintage Dressing Table by Loughborough
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage dressing table by Loughborough. This was made in England, it dates from the 1950’s. The quality is outstanding, it is beautifully designed and i...
Mirror, Wood
Teak Dressing Table by Peter Hayward for Uniflex, 1960s
By Uniflex, Peter Hayward
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century teak dressing table from Uniflex, circa 1960s There's a triptych mirror, the middle tilts, the two sides swivel Featuring four drawers each with a metal handle Heigh...
Teak
Vintage Dressing Table by Loughborough
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage dressing table by Loughborough. This was made in England, and it dates from the 1950’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully designed...
Mirror, Wood
Mahogany dressing table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany dressing table of small proportions, the shield-shaped bevelled mirror. Flanked by short drawers to each side above the figured mahogany top. The base section is fitted with...
Wood
$8,738 / item
H 30 in W 63 in D 35 in
Alice Contemporary and Customizable Dressing Table by Luísa Peixoto
By Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
Dressing table. Part with 3 drawers. Partridge eye wood "Shell" color and details in gold metal. Leather top and lacquered feet. Bespoke / customizable Identical shapes with differe...
Metal
Mid-Century two-tier Walnut Side Table attributed Ico Luisa Parisi
By Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant Italian Two-tier Modernist Side Table, circa 1950's Finely constructed of walnut hardwood with two tiers supported by elongated tapered legs ending in solid brass sabots, a...
Walnut
$4,916 / item
H 30 in W 56 in D 14 in
Rose Contemporary and Customizable Dressing Table by Luísa Peixoto
By Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
Dressing table in Lacquer. Stool included. Bespoke / customizable Identical shapes with different sizes and finishings. All RAL colors available. (Mate / half gloss / gloss).
Lacquer
$8,418 / item
H 28 in W 55 in D 21 in
Infinity Contemporary and Customizable Dressing table by Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
Dressing table in partridge eye in palace color, gold metal feet and lacquer. LELIÈVRE drawers lining. Stool not included. Bespoke / Customizable Identical shapes with different si...
Metal