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.
Ico Parisi velvet and brass armchairs by Isa Bergamo, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi, ISA Bergamo
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Pair of fabric armchairs with brass legs by Ico Parisi and manufactured by Isa Bergamo. This pair of Italian armchairs exemplifies the finest stylistic research of the 1950s. The de...
Brass
Pair Armchairs Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italian Midcentury, "Model 865", 1955
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Pair armchairs Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italian Midcentury, "Model 865", 1955 in pony skin
Steel
Ico Parisi Armchairs, Italy 1950's
By Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
Rosewood and black stained walnut chairs by Ico Parisi for MIM, they retain their original leather and labels.
Leather, Rosewood, Walnut
Ico Parisi Two Armchairs for Cassina Modl 814 in Cognac Leather
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, MI
Amazing one set of two Ico Parisi armcharis for Cassina, in leather upholstery
Leather, Tulipwood
Ico Parisi Curved fabric sofa with brass legs by Isa Bergamo, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Ico Parisi
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Curved fabric sofa with brass legs, designed by Ico Parisi, manufactured by Isa Bergamo. This sofa, designed by Ico Parisi, epitomizes the finest stylistic research of the 1950s. It...
Brass
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. Bras...
Brass
Pair of Ico Parisi MidCentury Modern Italian Armchairs for Ariberto Colombo, 50s
By Ariberto Colombo, Ico Parisi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of iconic armchairs designed by Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantù. Very elegant and comfortable, with upholstery redone in recent years but new upholstery is recommended.
Fabric, Beech
Ico Parisi Bergère Lounge Armchair Creme Bouclé Walnut, Italy 1950
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
Ico Parisi Bergère Lounge Armchair Creme Bouclé Walnut, Italy 1950 Great comfort chair in newly upholstered, restored condition. The walnut armrests of this Bergère arrmchair featur...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair for Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair For Cassina. Designed by Ico Parisi in 1960 and revisited by Cassina in 2020, 875 is an inviting, comfortable design armchair and...
Foam
Pair of Ico Parisi Armchairs, Ariberto Colombo, Italy 1951
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
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
$3,375Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ico Parisi Italian Midcentury Fabric Wood Armchair Model 814 for Cassina, 1960s
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design set of two armchairs model 814 designed by Ico Parisi for Cassina in 1961, solid wood structure and new fabric covering, Italy 1960s Original Cassin...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Pltrone by Ico Parisi for Fratelli Reguitti, Italy, 1959 Marked
By Ico Parisi, Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
A pair of “Lord” lounge chairs designed by Ico Parisi for Fratelli Reguitti, Italy, 1959. Elegant and sleek lounge chairs with a sculpted solid teak frame. High-quality finishes and ...
Animal Skin, Wood
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair for Cassina, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
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
Mid-Century Italian Armchairs Style Of Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo, Set of 2
By Ico Parisi
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A pair of mid-century armchairs in the style of Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantu, designed in the 1950s. The pronounced curves and lines combined with the luxurious velvet fabri...
Velvet, Wood
$2,403Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Rare Pair of Wood & Rope 1949 Armchairs by Ico Parisi
By Enrico Baleri, Ico Parisi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare set of 4 armchairs designed by Ico Parisi in 1949 probably for the Furnitures maker Baleri. They belong to the artisanal production of Parisi. The set remains in a very good vin...
Fabric, Rope, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs Model 856 by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern pair of armchairs Model 856 by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s. Chrome and original leather.
Chrome
Ico Parisi Pair of armchairs - Lounge ´875´ Cassina Edition
By Ico Parisi
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Ico Parisi Pair of armchairs - Lounge ´875´ Cassina Edition Design 1960 Petroleum blue leather / stainless steel L 79 x l 84 x h 76 cm Seat height 39 cm 25 kgs each New condition Nev...
Leather, Ash
Italian mid-century modern leather armchairs by Ico Parisi for Cassina, 1960s
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern leather armchairs by Ico Parisi for Cassina, 1960s Pair of dark burgundy leather armchairs. The seat, the backrest...
Steel
Ico Parisi Pair of Armchairs Model "875"
By Ico Parisi
Located in Red Lion, PA
Ico Parisi Pair of armchairs model "875". Produced by Cassina, Meda, 1960. Chromed steel frame, black leatherette upholstery. (slight defects)
Steel
Rare Armchair by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Rare armchair by Ico Parisi. Ash wood frame with cord seat and round armrest ends. Literature available upon request.
Cord, Wood
20th Century, Ico Parisi for Cassina Pair of Armchairs mod 875
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Turin, Turin
Ico Parisi was an Italian architect and designer, born in Palermo in 1916. His activity, marked by continuous experimentation, consists in an incessant research in the fields of arch...
Steel
Ico Parisi Italian Wood and Leather Armchairs for MIM Roma, 1960s
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Italian Mid-Century Modern design set of two armchairs designed by Ico Parisi fo Mim Roma with wooden frame and curved plywood, leather upholstery, 1960s.
Wood
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair by Cassina, Metal & Fabric, Mid-Century
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Ico Parisi in 1960, relaunched in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Ico Parisi in 1960 for Cassina, at that time “Figli di Amedeo Cassina”,...
Metal
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair by Cassina, Metal & Fabric, Mid-Century
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Ico Parisi in 1960, relaunched in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Ico Parisi in 1960 for Cassina, at that time “Figli di Amedeo Cassina”,...
Metal
Ico Parisi 875 Armchair by Cassina, Metal & Fabric, Mid-Century
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Ico Parisi in 1960, relaunched in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Ico Parisi in 1960 for Cassina, at that time “Figli di Amedeo Cassina”, th...
Metal
Rare Poltrone in pelle Disegnate da Ico Parisi '856' Per Cassina, 1957
By Ico Parisi, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Importante coppia di Poltrone originali Ico Parisi “856” del 1957 rifinite in pelle di alta qualità, prodotte da Cassina, Meda (Milano), Italia. Bellissimo...
Steel
Pair of Lotus Armchair by Ico and Luisa Parisi, Mid-20th Century
By Luisa Parisi, Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Lotus armchairs is an elegant piece of design furniture manufactured by Ico and Luisa Parisi in the mid-20th Century Rare pair of armchairs mod...
Leather
Ico Parisi, Eight armchairs mod. 814, prod. Cassina, 1961
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rare set of eight armchairs production Cassina design Ico and Luisa Parisi model 814 year 1961. Black lacquered wooden frame, upholstered seat and backrest and covered in red color ...
Velvet, Wood
Ico Parisi Mod 110, Italian Walnut and Leather Dining Chairs 1959
By Ico Parisi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian walnut and leather dining chairs by Ico Parisi for Brugnoli, 1959, set of four. Mod. 110
Leather, Walnut