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.
Three Italian Midcentury Nesting Tables by Ico Parisi, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Paris, FR
An exquisite set of three vintage nesting side or coffee tables, crafted by the renowned Italian furniture designer Ico Parisi in the 1950s. They are a testament to Parisi's visionar...
Glass, Wood
Set of Nesting Tables by Ico Parisi for De Baggis, 1955
By Angelo De Baggis, Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of nesting tables model 401 designed in 1955 by Ico Parisi for De Baggis, Italy. Wood frames with original glass tabletop. Legs can be easily removed for an easy transport.
Glass, Wood
$14,500 / set
Ico Parisi Nesting Tables, Italy, circa 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare set of three nesting tables with handle cutout and tapering legs. Designed by Ico Parisi and retailed by Singer & Sons. Made of Italian walnut, circa early 1950s.
Walnut
Sold|$2,881
H 17.64 in W 15.56 in D 25.04 in
3 MID-CENTURY-MODERN Gigogne TABLES by ICO PARISI, for DE BAGGIS, Italy 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful and luxurious set of 3 Nesting Tables, side tables, bedside tables or end tables, Modernist, Free Form, in varnished mahogany and original glass tops, Model 401 by Ico Pa...
Mahogany
Vintage chinoiserie Rattan Nesting Tables, circa 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
A set of three vintage chinoiserie Rattan nesting tables. circa 1960s. Feature a tiger bamboo and rattan frame and black laminated top with floral ...
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,856
H 17.33 in W 20.67 in D 12.8 in
Midcentury Brass and Smoked Glass Nesting Tables by Maison Baguès, France
By Maison Baguès
Located in London, GB
Midcentury brass and smoked glass nesting tables by Maison Baguès, France, circa 1960. Presented in very good vintage condition commensurate of age. Dimensions: H 44 x W 52.5 x D 32...
Brass
$420Sale Price|50% Off
H 24.81 in W 19.69 in D 14.57 in
Ico Parisi for De Baggis Mod. 221 Wood and Glass Coffee Table, Italy 1956
By Angelo De Baggis, Ico Parisi
Located in Palermo, IT
Elegant low table and magazine rack in dark wood, two inclined glass shelves, brass finishes and retractable tray with wooden frame and transparent glass top, "model 221" by Ico Pari...
Brass
$9,750Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 22 in W 27.75 in D 16 in
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Nesting Tables w Kasuba Tiles, c 1950, Signed
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and complete set of signed nesting side tables by Vladimir Kagan, during his early years with Hugo Dreyfuss, features eight hand made ceramic art tiles by Alexandra Kasuba....
Ceramic, Oak
Bamboo Nesting Tables
Located in Asheville, NC
Late 20th century, Tommy Bahama style set of three nesting tables fit inside each other. Wrought iron bases, attached burnt bamboo tray tops.
Wrought Iron
$5,762 / set
H 17.33 in Dm 23.63 in
Large nesting tables 780 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s, set of 4
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 Wooden nesting tables. Model large. Reversible black and white top. Stamped Cassina. Wear due to time and age of the tables. Measures: Height Small: 29 cm Height Medium 1: 3...
Wood
$7,683 / set
H 18.12 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Italian Midcentury Gianfranco Frattini Black Nesting Tables for Cassina, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Salzburg, AT
Set of three black high gloss stacking tables by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s. The wood has been completely re-lacquered due to the worn surface and is now in perfect condition....
Glass, Wood
$1,668
H 20.48 in W 22.45 in D 14.57 in
Set of 3 Nesting Tables by Severin Hansen for Haslev, Denmark, 1960's
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of three nesting tables designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark in the 1960s. Made from richly grained teak, with a deep warm tone and elegant ...
Teak
Ico Parisi, Side Tables, Wood, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1954
By Ico Parisi
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood, brass and glass side tables designed by Ico Parisi and produced by De Baggis, Cantù, Italy, c. 1954. Overall Dimensions (inches): 24.25"H x 17.75"W x 11.0"D All ite...
Brass
$2,220 / set
H 20.08 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Set of 3 Nesting Tables Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Meblo, Italy 70s
By Meblo, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Lucija, SI
A set of three coffee nesting tables made in Meblo furniture factory in the former Yugoslavia. The tables are designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. Gianfranco Frattini is an ...
Glass, Wood
$5,800
H 25.2 in W 26.38 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Console Occasional Table, Drawer, Ico Parisi Attributed, Mahogany
By Ico Parisi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian Mid-Century Modern console or occasional table with folding drawer, Ico Parisi attributed, in mahogany lacquered and aluminium threads. With folding drawer Measures cm: H ...
Aluminum
1950s Ico Parisi Italian Design Mahogany Nesting Tables
By Angelo De Baggis, Ico Parisi
Located in Brescia, IT
Set of Ico Parisi nesting tables Italy, 1950s Ref: Ico Parisi Catalogo Ragionato p.505. Excellent condiction Glass in perfect condiction Small restoration at a leg (look the pi...
Mahogany
Sold
H 25.75 in W 23.5 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Set of 4 Walnut Nesting Tables by Ico Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Elegant and sculptural set of 4 walnut nesting tables from the 1950s by Ico Parisi. Tables are very tight and stable. Original finish. Price is for the set which consists of: Measure...
Walnut
Dreamy Set of Italian Nesting Tables by Ico Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare set of sleek Italian nesting tables in graduated sizes as listed below, having lustrous mahogany wood frames and glass tops with a sexy Mid-Century Modern Silhouette. Measur...
Glass, Mahogany
Ico Parisi Nesting Tables for De Baggis
By Angelo De Baggis, Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid set of Ico Parisi nesting tables Italy, 1950s Ref: Ico Parisi Catalogo Ragionato p.505.
Glass, Wood