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.
Mid-Century Chest of Drawers by Ico Parisi, Teak Wood, Italy, 1960s
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Design Wood Chest of Drawers, Ico Parisi for MIM Roma , Italy 1960s An elegant mid‑century chest of drawers, crafted in rich dark colored teak wood by the Italian design house MIM (...
Iron
Ico Parisi, Dresser, Wood, Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and brass dresser designed by Ico Parisi and produced by Colombo e Clerici, Italy, 1960s. Red staining on tabletop surface. Wear consistent with age and use. Ov...
Brass
Dressing table 'Positano 1306' by Ico & Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in MADRID, ES
Mid Century dressing table model 'Positano 1306' by Ico & Luisa Parisi in rosewood and metal legs. Italy, 1950s. Length: 85cm Height: 77cm Depth: 45cm Mirror diameter: 38cm
Iron
Rare Ico Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi Cabinet or Vanity in Chestnut
By Ico Parisi, Fratelli Rizzi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ico Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi, Intimiano, cabinet or vanity, a desk from the same series referenced under cat. no, '1950.56', chestnut, mahogany, brass, mirrored glass, Italy, 1950 ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950
Wood
Mid-Century modern valet clothes by Ico Parisi
By Fratelli Reguitti, Ico Parisi
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century modern valet clothes stand designed by Ico Parisi during the 1950s. Manufacturerd in Italy by Fratelli Reguitti, the stand is made of beech wood.
Brass
A Pair of Italian rosewood chests of drawers by Ico Parisi for Mim.
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of Italian rosewood chests of drawers by Ico Parisi for Mim circa 1950.
Chrome
20th Century, Ico Parisi Wooden Bookcase mod. 1955.DB3
By Angelo De Baggis, 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...
Wood
MIM chest of drawers, Italy 1960s
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Correggio, IT
Chest of drawers produced by MIM Rome, 1960s. The essential and balanced line is suitable for both an office and a private residence. Very refined feet, with aluminum detail. Comple...
Metal
Urio Wall System by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1957
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Urio wall system in palisander wood designed in 1957 by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy. Different elements including shelves, desk, chest of drawers a...
Rosewood
1950s Black Lacquer Trolley by Ico Parisi with Removable Serving Trays
By Ico Parisi
Located in London, GB
A 1950s cart trolley in black lacquer by Ico Parisi with the top two trays being removable serving trays with orignal castors.
Wood, Lacquer
$6,993Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Ico Parisi Edited by Mim Pair of Italian Bedside Tables
By Ico Parisi
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of bedside tables designed by Ico Parisi edited by MIM. Composed of solid walnut wood structure and metal legs. Interior lighting “mod. 222" designed by Gino Sarfatti for Artel...
Metal
Sideboard with Wheels, Sliding Door Credenza di Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
Sliding door Wood sideboard by Ico Parisi for MIM, Rome. Sideboard with wheels, two scooped doors and four shelves.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Dry Bar by Ico Parisi in Mahogany, Glass, Brass - Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Girona, Girona
Dry bar, mahogany veneer, central glass flap door with two small drawers inside, two glass shelves on top, brass handles. Design: Ico Parisi Italy, 1948.
Brass
Urio Wall System by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1957
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Urio wall system in hardwood designed in 1957 by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy. Different elements including shelves, desk, chest of drawers and cupb...
Metal, Aluminum
$18,085
Console by Ico Parisi, 1958
By Brugnoli Mobili Cantú, Ico Parisi
Located in Berlin, DE
Console for wall, made of walnut with brass handles. Three drawers. Dimensions / H.16/30cm - W.150.5cm - D.41cm Design / Ico Parisi 1958 Manufacturer / Colombo e Clerci Como ...
Brass
Movable Chest of Drawers by Ico Parisi for Longhi, Italy, 1970s
By Ico Parisi, Longhi
Located in Milan, IT
Chest of drawers by Ico Parisi for Longhi. Oval piece with side wings, white top and three drawers. Four wheels allow to easily move the piece.
Wood
Cabinet with Drawers, Black / Ico Parisi, 1970
By Ico Parisi, Brugnoli Mobili Cantú
Located in Berlin, DE
This extraordinary drawer cabinet in black lacquered wood was designed by architect and designer Ico Parisi around 1970. The nine drawers of different sizes are equipped with rectang...
Wood
$5,787Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage italian "Number 58" wood and glass bar cart by Ico Parisi for De Baggis
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
Offered is a very rare and extremely well preserved bar cart designed by Ico Parisi around the mid 1950s. Created for the Italian furniture firm De Boggis, its official denomination ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Teak Wall Unit by Ico Parisi, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Teak Wall Unit by Ico Parisi, 1960s
Teak
$1,687Sale Price / item|49% Off
Ico Parisi Wall Unit with Mirror and Stool, 1950, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Oirlo, LI
Ico Parisi wall unit with mirror and stool 1950 Italy Mahogany wall unit or beautiful in the hall with wooden top and finials, with drawer an...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Teak Wall Unit by Ico Parisi, Italy 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century teak wall unit by Ico Parisi - Italy 1960s.
Teak
Magazine Holder by Ico Parisi, Mid 20th Century
By Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
Magazine holder is an original design item realized by Ico Parisi in the half of 20th century. A precoius wooden magazine holder decorated wi...
Wood
Vintage 20th Century Italian Chest Of Drawers By Ico Parisi For Mim Roma c.1950
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A 20th Century sleek Italian wooden chest of drawers by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, leading advocates of minimal and conceptual furniture design in the 1950s. Ico Parisi (1916–1996) wa...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit Model ''Urio'' by Ico Parisi for MIM, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit Model ''Urio'' by Ico Parisi for MIM, 1960s
Wood
"Urio" modular wall system by Ico and Luisa Parisi for MiM 1957, two-module book
By Luisa Parisi, Ico Parisi
Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania
"Urio" modular wall system by Ico and Luisa Parisi for MiM 1957, two-module bookcase, Italy, 1960s "Urio" modular bookcase designed in 1957 by Ico and Luisa Parisi for M.I.M. Roma. ...
Steel, Iron
Ico Parisi, Dresser with riser series 540, prod. Longhi Brothers, 1969
By Fratelli Longhi, Ico Parisi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Lacquered wood frame, wood and metal details. Prod. Fratelli Longhi, 1960s Bibl.: Domus No. 478, Sept. 1969, advertising page
Metal
Ico Parisi Bookcase Model 459 Italy 1955
By Ico Parisi
Located in Miami, FL
An Ico Parisi bookcase in mahogany veneer with a glass shelf and brass accents.
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Ico Parisi Sideboard, Double opening, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Ico Parisi Sideboard,Double opening, Italy, 1960s
Wood
Ico Parisi Bookcase in wood and brass, mod. 457, Italy 1955
By Ico Parisi
Located in Argelato, BO
Ico Parisi bookcase, mod. 457, De Baggis production, lacquered wood, mahogany, brass, Italy, 1955. This bookcase with four shelves in different colors was originally designed for...
Metal, Brass
$7,716Sale Price|20% Off
Ico Parisi Cabinet and Dry Bar Manufactured by De Baggis, Italy 1950s
By Angelo De Baggis, Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Ico Parisi Grissinato Wood Cabinet and Dry Bar. Manufactured by De Baggis, Original Label Italy 1950s
Brass
Ico Parisi Wall-mounted coat rack. Brass wood glass 1950s Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE BRASS GLAZED GOWN HANGER by Ico PARISI
Brass
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Jatoba Wood Credenza
By Ico Parisi
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Jatoba wood Ico Parisi cabinet A spectacular bespoke trumeau designed by Ico Parisi and very likely produced by Ariberto Colombo, by special order only. Very few p...
Brass
Ico Parisi, Center chest of drawers series 540, Prod. Fratelli Longhi, 1960s
By Fratelli Longhi, Ico Parisi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rare center chest of drawers with lacquered wood frame, wood and metal details. Design by Ico Prisi, Fratelli Longhi production, 1960s Bibl.: Domus No. 478, Sept. 1969, advertising...
Metal
Ico Parisi, Italian Midcentury Long Sideboard in Walnut, circa 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Ico Parisi, Italian midcentury long sideboard in walnut with white top, circa 1950 Ico Parisi played a significant role in the mid-20th-cen...
Wood