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.
$7,314Sale Price|20% Off
Iconic Wall Mirror by ico Parisi for MIM Mod. Paraggi
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic Wall Mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Model "Paraggi" (1958) This exceptional wall mirror, designed by the renowned Italian architect and designer Ico Parisi for MIM, epitomizes...
String, Mirror, Wood
Italian Curved Teak Backlit Bevel Mirror by Ico Parisi for ISA, 1968
By Ico Parisi, ISA Bergamo
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and incredibly rare backlit beveled mirror in curved teak, designed by Ico Parisi and produced by ISA Bergamo in Italy in 1968. Fully original and in amazing condition, ...
Crystal
Italian Curved Black Wood Backlit Beveled Mirror by Ico Parisi for ISA, 1968
By Ico Parisi, ISA Bergamo
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and incredibly rare backlit mirror in curved lacquered black teak with a central beveled mirror designed by Ico Parisi and produced by ISA Bergamo in Italy in 1968. In...
Crystal
1950 Ico Parisi Three square mirror
By Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
Ico Parisi Three square mirror plates mounted on a green velours-covered board, held by a wooden frame. Italy, ca. 1950 Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Pauline...
Mirror, Wood
Mid-Century Modern "Paraggi" Hanging Mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy, 1958
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern "Paraggi" Hanging Mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy, 1958 With original label
Glass, Wood
20th Century Ico Parisi Wall Mirror for MIM in Wood and Leather Ribbon of '50s
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Ico Parisi was born in Palermo, Italy, in 1916, but as early as 1925 with his family he moved to Como, where in 1936 he graduated as a building surveyor and served an apprenticeship ...
Faux Leather, Wood
Rosewood Wall Mirror by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo
By Bruksbo
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and proportioned wall mirror having a circular mirror centered in an expressive Brazilian rosewood frame with raised and beveled side rails.
Rosewood
$3,342Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 59.06 in W 15.75 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Walnut in the style of Ico Parisi Curved Wall Mirrors, 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of big wall mirror in the style of Ico Parisi, circa 1950 walnut mirror bronze Measures: 40x 150 x 10 cm.
Brass
$1,502 / item
H 42.01 in W 25.99 in D 0.24 in
Mid-century Freeform Wall-hanging Modern Frameless Beveled Mirror, Vintage N.2
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Mid century style freeform frameless freeform wall mirror with an elegant bevel. Handcrafted in London, UK. This mirror is fully customisable. Dimensions: H 106.7cm x W 66cm (widest...
Mirror
$3,367
H 38.98 in W 23.23 in D 1.38 in
XL 1950s Gio Ponti Attributed Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Wall Mirror
By Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Gio Ponti era Mid-Century Modern wall mirror in patinated brass and original mildly patinated glass. Made in Italy in 1950s. The shape of the mirror is a very elegant ovaloid with r...
Brass
Large Italian Fontana Arte Style Round Beveled Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, Pietro Chiesa, Cristal Arte
Located in Houston, TX
Large Italian Fontana Arte style round beveled mirror. Stunning large round Italian Fontana Arte inspired round beveled mirror. This beautiful Mid-C...
Mirror
$547Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in Dm 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Oval Mirror by Cristal Arte, Italy, Circa 1958
By Cristal Arte
Located in bari, IT
Cristal Art oval mirror worked inside and ground on the perimeter.
Mirror
Etched and Beveled Venetian Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Etched and beveled Venetian mirror. Interesting unusually shaped etched Venetian mirror with a beveled oval center. This unusual Venetian mirror which dates from the 1940's can be d...
Mirror
$685
H 21.46 in W 21.46 in D 0.4 in
Wall Mirror by Introini for Valenti & C Italy 70s Mid-Century Modern
By Vittorio Introini, Valenti
Located in Palermo, IT
Beautiful wall mirror created by designer Vittorio Introini in collaboration with Valenti the 70's. The frame is made of brushed stainless steel, square in shape and beveled at the ...
Metal, Steel
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s Ignazio Gardella (born March 30, 1905, Milan–died March 16, 1999, Oleggio, Italy) was an Italian architect, engineer, a...
Wood
Mid-century Rectangular Beveled Bronze Venetian Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-century rectangular beveled bronze Venetian mirror. Unusual vintage Venetian mirror with a bronze border and convex circular bullseye detail...
Mirror
$4,342 / set
H 25.99 in W 18.51 in D 0.99 in L 25.99 in
Pair 1950s Mid Century Modern Gio Ponti Attributed Brass Wall Mirrors, Italy
By Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Pair of Gio Ponti attributed Mid-Century Modern wall mirrors in patinated brass and old patinated glass. Made in Italy in 1950s. The shape of the mirror is a very elegant ovaloid wi...
Brass
Italian 50s Wall Mirror
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 50s wall mirror. Four side pieces creating a mirrored frame. Chrome metails
Metal
$730Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.59 in W 13.59 in D 0.79 in
Early 20th Century French White Wood Wall Mirror, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th Century White Wood Mirror By unknown designer. Manufactured in France In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, ...
Wood
$3,988
H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 3.94 in
Midcentury Wall Mirror Designed by Franz J. Sartori for Cristal Arte
By Cristal Arte, Franz Sartori
Located in Palermo, PA
Mid-century modern wall mirror designed by Franz J. Sartori for Cristal Art. Expertly crafted in Italy by Cristal Art during the 1960s, this mirror features three layers of exquisi...
Crystal, Metal
$1,380Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.66 in Dm 19.69 in
Italian Mid-Century Asymmetrical Brass Wall Mirror in the Style of Gio Ponti 50s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, IT
This exquisite mid-century modern wall mirror is a quintessential example of 1950s Italian avant-garde design. Measuring 55 cm in height and approximately 50 cm in width, it features...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Ico Parisi for Stildomus Midcentury Italian Wood Wall Mirror 1960s
By Stildomus, Ico Parisi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Specchio italiano disegnato da Ico Parisi e prodotto da Stildomus con cornice in legno scuro massello a forma di stella, Italia anni 60
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 46.86 in W 57.09 in D 1.58 in
A wonderful, large Italian 1950s mirror by Ico Parisi with curved walnut frame
By Ico Parisi
Located in London, GB
A wonderful quality, large Italian 1950s mirror by Ico Parisi with thick curved walnut frame, orignal mirror plate and solid wood back.
Mirror, Walnut
Italian Curved Teak Backlit Bevel Mirror by Ico Parisi for ISA, 1968
By ISA Bergamo, Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and incredibly rare backlit mirror in curved teak beveled mirror designed by Ico Parisi and produced by ISA Bergamo in Italy in 1968. The outstanding quality of the wo...
Crystal
Wall Mirror " Mira" by ico Parisi for Stildomus, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Wall Mirror " Mira" by ico Parisi for Stildomus, Italy, 1950s
Mirror, Wood
Paraggi wall mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy 1958. Published
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Paraggi wall mirror 1958 M3 by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma. Made in wood, the wall mirror features minimal geometric yet elegant lines that showcase a timeless mid-century modern design...
Mirror, Wood
Italian Curved Teak Backlit Bevel Mirror by Ico Parisi for ISA, 1968
By ISA Bergamo, Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and incredibly rare backlit mirror in curved teak beveled mirror designed by Ico Parisi and produced by ISA Bergamo in Italy in 1968. The outstanding quality of the wo...
Crystal
Sold
H 70.67 in W 27.17 in D 1.38 in
Mid-Century Modern "Paraggi" Hanging Mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy, 1958
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern "Paraggi" hanging mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy, 1958.
Wood
Ico Parisi Mira Wall Mirror for Stildomus, Italy 1956
By Ico Parisi, Stildomus
Located in Milan, IT
Architect Ico Parisi Model 2002 Mira Wall Mirror for Stildomus, Roma Italy 1956 Signed
Wood
Italian Carved Wood Wall Mirror by Ico Parisi, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian carved wood wall mirror by Ico Parisi, 1960s.
Mirror, Wood
Ico Parisi Mirror "Mira" 1959 Model 2002 Stildomuselezione
By Ico Parisi
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ico Parisi mirror "Mira", 1959 model 2002 Stildomuselezione rosewood.
Rosewood
Ico Parisi Mirror "Mira" 1959 Model 2002 Teak Stildomuselezione
By Ico Parisi
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ico Parisi mirror "Mira" 1959 model 2002 teak Stildomuselezione. Certificate of originality issued by the Ico Parisi archive.
Teak
Sold
H 51.19 in W 16.15 in D 1.58 in
Ico Parisi, Pair of wall mirrors, Production Stildomus, Circa 1960, Italy.
By Ico Parisi, Stildomus
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Ico Parisi, Pair of wall mirrors mounted on a rosewood structure Production Stildomus, Circa 1960, Italy. Height: 130 cm, width 41 cm, depth: 4 cm.
Glass, Macassar