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 Mid-Century Modern Italian Corner Sofa for Ariberto Colombo, 1950s
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
L corner sofa designed by Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantù. The sofa, as shown in the photo, is L-shaped, has a depth of 165cm and a length of 240cm...
Fabric, Beech
$14,208Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Italian Red Sofa by Ico Parisi for Cassina Mod. 875, Published
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
Rare four-seater sofa by Ico Parisi for Cassina model 875 of the 60s. The structure is metal, and the cover is red cotton fabric. The sofa through the clean lines and defined very ri...
Steel
Ico Parisi Curved Back Sofa Manufactured by Ariberto Colombo
By Ico Parisi
Located in North Miami, FL
As documented by Phillips Auction House - Design Masters Sale on December 17, 2014. Very sculptural details and perfectly restored to its original glo...
Chenille, Wood
Ico Parisi sofa, model 875 in steel and upholstered fabric
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2183 Ico Parisi (1916-1996) Rare model 875 sofa in steel and upholstered fabric. Cassina 1960 manufacturing. Bibliography: R. Lietti, Ico Parisi. Design. Catalog raisonné 1936...
Steel
Ico & Luisa Parisi Large Italian mid-century sofa model 869, walnut, cream white
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Ico Parisi (1916–1996). Sofa model "869." Manufactured by Figli di Amadeo de Cassina. Italy, 1960. Walnut wood and upholstery. Large Sofa 3/4 place designed with walnut wooden legs ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Big Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italian Midcentury, "Model 865" Sofa, 1955
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Big Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italian midcentury, "Model 865" sofa, 1955.
Steel
$27,200Sale Price|20% Off
Ico Parisi Sofa Model 865
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Ico Parisi Sofa Model 865. Enameled metal and upholstery. Manufacture: Figli di Amedeo Cassina Lit: Roberta Lietti: Ico Parisi Design - Catalogue R...
Metal
Sofa in Grey-Green, Model '875', Ico Parisi, 1960
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Berlin, DE
This minimalistic and elegant three-seater sofa has a matt chromed metal structure and new upholstery and cover. The cover is made of 100% wool in a cool grayish green. Excellent con...
Metal, Chrome
Leather Sofa Model 919 by Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Scarce leather sofa model 919 by Ico Parisi for Cassina. The piece was manufactured by Cassina upon commission for interiors projects by Ico Parisi. Sold together with a certificate ...
Leather
20th Century, Ico Parisi for Cassina Blue Velvet Sofa mod. 975
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
20th Century, Ico Parisi for Cassina Sofa mod. 865
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
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...
Metal
Italian Sectional Sofa in Red Orange Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sectional sofa, fabric, beech, Italy, 1970s. This Italian modular sofa is designed in the seventies and contains six elements. Therefore, the sofa becomes very versatile as it allow...
Fabric, Beech
$2,368Sale 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
Modular Sofa and Ottomans for Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Fully upholstered modular seating system with slab sides, tight seats, and ‘saddle bag’ style back and end cushions. Labeled Cassina under the seats on its metal frame as well as lab...
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Modern Corner Sofa in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Corner sofa, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1960s This sculptural Italian mid-century modern sofa from the 1960s is defined by its sweeping curved form, conceived to organize the surroundin...
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid Century Corner Sofa
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Italy Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1950s Materials: Wool, Beech Measurements: 78.75″ wide x 25.5″ deep x 31.5″ tall Condition: In good original condition wit...
Wool, Beech
Art Deco Corner Sofa, 't Binnenhuis, Amsterdam
Located in Delft, NL
An Art Deco corner sofa, 't Binnenhuis, Amsterdam An Art Deco corner sofa designed by Jac. van den Bosch for the firm Het Binnenhuis Amsterdam with a high backrest and in the corner...
Velvet, Mahogany
Curved Back Sofa by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The curved back sofa is a tuxedo style sofa with curved corners and features a single down-wrapped, seat cushion with 3 down-wrapped, removable back...
Upholstery, Walnut
$19,043
H 23.23 in W 118.9 in D 98.82 in
Original Lara Sofa by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood, Italy, 1960s
By Mario Bellini, Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Pierre Paulin, Stilwood
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Lara sofa by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari for Stilwood, Italy 1950s/1960s. Newly reupholstered in a premium, pure Alpaca wool fabric. Ships worldwide.
Foam
1960s Guillerme et Chambron Oak Sofa upholstered in Tibor Fabric
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in London, GB
Oak sofa by Guillerme et Chambron, France, circa 1960s. The piece features a solid oak frame with gently tapered legs and sculpted armrests, characteristic of the designers’ work. Th...
Fabric, Oak
Contemporary Fabric Upholstered Single Cushion Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well tailored contemporary sofa with serpentine back, scrolled arms and curved seat with a single seat cushion. Raised on four dark stained turned front legs and square back legs....
Fabric, Wood
$5,328
H 35.44 in W 82.68 in D 37.41 in
Ico Parisi Italian Sofa Early 1960s in Pink Velvet and Brass Feet
By Ico Parisi
Located in bari, IT
Italian sofa, early 1960s, in pink velvet brass feet the excellent conditions by Ico Parisi. Padiglione Soggiorno in Parco Sempione, for the Milan Triennial X, 1954. Photo by Paolo...
Brass
Ico Parisi Settee, 1950's
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
Located in New York, NY
Settee by Ico Parisi, c. 1950. This tailored sculptural settee is as stylish as it is comfortable. Poised yet relaxed, the contours of this sofa are remarkably body conscious and nat...
Wood
Curved Italian Sofa by Ico Parisi, Burnt Orange Mohair, Mid-Century
By Ico Parisi
Located in Hudson, NY
A curved Italian sofa by Ico Parisi. Gorgeous freshly upholstered burnt orange mohair fabric. Petite chic wooden legs. Stylish and timeless addition to any room.
Velvet
Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italian Midcentury, "Model 865" Sofa, 1955
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italian midcentury, "Model 865" sofa, 1955.
Steel
Ico Parisi Curved Sofa
By Ico Parisi
Located in Red Lion, PA
Italian mid-century curve sofa by Ico Parisi with tapered wooden legs Italy Circa 1951
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Large Beige Sofa attr. to Ico Parisi, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. A model like this one but with different feet has been published on a catalogue. This sofa is upholstered in beige fabric, which makes it ready to be covered w...
Metal
Ico Parisi '869' Sofa for Cassina, 1960s
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
1960s sofa model 869 designed by Ico Parisi and produced by Figli di Amedeo Cassina.
Fabric
Sold
H 33.47 in W 90.56 in D 33.47 in
Curved Sofa by Ico Parisi in Newly Upholstered Teddy Fabric, Italy 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Almelo, NL
Curved sofa by Ico Parisi in newly upholstered teddy fabric, Italy 1950s Italian 1950s curved sofa, attributed to Ico Parisi .(also sometimes attributed to Federico Munari). This...
Fabric, Beech
Sold
H 34.26 in W 76.78 in D 41.74 in
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Two Armchairs and Curved Sofa for Ariberto Colombo
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Two iconic armchairs and three-seater sofa designed by Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantu. Very elegant and comfortable, with velvet upholstery, a new upholstery is recommended ...
Velvet, Beech
Sold
H 31.5 in W 81.5 in D 40.16 in
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Italian Curved Sofa for Ariberto Colombo, 50s
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Three seater sofa designed by Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantu, 1950s production. Very elegant and comfortable, upholstery and cushions to be redone.
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Sculptural Two Seat Sofas by Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of elegant two seat, sculptural sofas by Ico Parisi. On turned fruit wood legs, with symmetrical curved backs, newly upholstered in a Giorgio Armani navy blue wool twill, with...
Beech
Vintage Beige Large Sofa by Ico Parisi, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. A model like this one but with different feet has been published on a catalogue. This sofa is upholstered in beige fabric, which makes it ready to be covered...
Metal
Sold
H 35.44 in W 106.3 in D 44.49 in
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Four Armchairs and Sofa for Ariberto Colombo, 50s
By Ico Parisi, Ariberto Colombo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Four iconic armchairs and four-seater sofa designed by Ico Parisi for Ariberto Colombo Cantu. Very elegant and comfortable, with upholstery redone twenty years ago but in good condi...
Fabric, Beech
Mid-Century Italian Sofa by Ico Parisi, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Large Italian curved four-seater sofa composed of six splayed polished legs, large wing shaped arms and a curved high back, in the style of Ico Parisi. Upholstered in beige fabric. ...
Brass