When in the 1930s Tommi Parzinger won a trip to the United States through a poster design competition for a German steamship company, it led to him to become one of the country’s most influential mid-century modern furniture designers with his company, Parzinger Originals.
Born in 1903 in Munich, Germany, into an artistic family, Parzinger studied ceramics, painting and design at the Kunstgewerbeschule. In 1932, he entered and won a poster design contest for the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamship company. The grand prize was a voyage to the United States. By the time Parzinger returned to Germany, unrest leading to World War II was emerging, and he was pressured to join the Nazi party. Parzinger fled back to the United States and settled in New York City, where he pursued a career in interior design.
His first job in the country was with Manhattan trendsetter Rena Rosenthal, who employed him to design household silverware for her famed Madison Avenue store. Later, he became the lead designer for the Charak Furniture Company. In the 1940s, with the help of business and life partner Donald Cameron, Parzinger opened his showroom, Parzinger Originals, on East 57th Street in Manhattan.
Throughout his career, Parzinger produced up to 30 pieces a year for his namesake company. They included refined, elegant and meticulously designed end tables, side tables, consoles, floor lamps, table lamps, seating and mirrors. His signature creations were commodes and credenzas featuring beautifully ornamented hardware and lacquer finishes. His clients included Marilyn Monroe, Billy Baldwin and some of New York’s wealthiest families, like the DuPonts and Rockefellers.
Parzinger also collaborated with other furniture companies, including Salterini, Hofstatter, Lightolier, Reed & Barton and Dorlyn. In the last 15 years of his life, he shifted his focus from furniture to Expressionist painting.
When Parzinger died in 1981, Parzinger Originals was left to Donald Cameron, who fought to protect Parzinger’s design legacy from copycats and reproductions. Nevertheless, Parzinger Originals soon closed.
In recent years, Parzinger Originals furniture has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity among interior designers and collectors of mid-century modern and modern furniture. Pieces from Parzinger Originals are in the collections of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of Parzinger Originals case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, lighting and more.
Tommi Parzinger Chandelier for Parzinger Originals
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chicago, IL
Tommi Parzinger Chandelier for Parzinger Originals, c. 1955 Design: Six-arm light source with individual shades Materials: Zinc-plated brass, paper, and glass Dimensions: 40.75" H x ...
Brass
$3,950Sale Price|46% Off
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Floor Lamp with Side Table, 1955, Signed
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible floor lamp with built-in side table by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals is finished in a black lacquer with Parzinger's signature brass accents. Signed 'Parzinger Originals' under the base, making this 1950s authentic designer piece ultra-collectible. The three lights comprise of a single up-light and two down-lights which can be turned on and off independently of one another or used in unison as demonstrated in the photos. A glass Stiffel branded glass cone shade sits on top of the lamp and a larger black fabric shade with golden insides is included. Can be used with or without the larger black shade. Consider using in a Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency or Postmodern home...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Chandelier for Parzinger Originals
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chicago, IL
Tommi Parzinger Chandelier for Parzinger Originals, c. 1955 Design: Six-arm light source with individual shades Materials: Zinc-plated brass, paper, and glass Dimensions: 40.75" H x ...
Zinc
Lucite Stacked Block Floor Lamp with Side Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage lucite helix-form stacked blocks floor lamp with a 15 inch square lucite table top at 23 inches high. Chrome fittings. Stepped three tier lucite s...
Lucite
Tommi Parzinger for Stiffel Campaign Style Brass or Bronze Lamp
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Wonderful towering lamp by Tommi Parzinger for Stiffel. Sleek and slender campaign cage design with knob final accent. Tall supports ascend from a floating square base which has an o...
Brass, Bronze
$1,799Sale Price|35% Off
H 30 in Dm 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Chandelier Attributed to Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern brass chandelier attributed to Tommi Parzinger for Lightolier. Eight delicate brass arm chandelier with extended candlestick en...
Brass
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp with Built In Round Glass Side Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice craftsmanship sculptural walnut floor lamp. Frosted glass cylinder shape shade. Turned walnut base.
Glass, Walnut
$5,370Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 24 in W 21.75 in D 11 in
Pair of Tommi Parzinger Mid-Century Modern 5-Light Brass Sconces for Dorlyn
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original pair of iconic Tommi Parzinger Mid-Century Modern brass wall sconces. Each with 5 lights (or candleholders) on individual arms that are centered on a round disk. O...
Brass
Pair Of Stiffel Tommi Parzinger Style Obelisk Lamps
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair Of Stiffel Tommi Parzinger Style Obelisk Lamps. Overall working useable condition and impressive size. Does have some original patina and wear to finish present.
Metal
$4,475
H 61.25 in Dm 11.75 in
Midcentury Polished Nickel & Black Enamel Floor Lamp, Manner of Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid-Century Modern floor lamp was realized in the United States, circa 1950. Designed in the manner of Tommi Parzinger, the floor lamp features a circular polished nicke...
Enamel, Nickel
$1,112Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 30.5 in
Brass Eight-Light Chandelier in the Manner of Tommi Parzinger, Late 20th Century
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brentwood, TN
A brass eight-light chandelier in the manner of Tommi Parzinger, produced in the late 20th century. The fixture features elegantly curved “U”-shaped arms radiating from a central ste...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Style Brass and Crystal Chandelier
By Lightolier
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1960s modern chandelier in the style of Tommi Parzinger by Lightolier made in Germany, in vintage original condition with beautiful patina to the brass. Total height incl...
Crystal, Brass
Modern Chrome Floor Lamp Round thick Glass Side Table
By Brueton, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Studio quality Mid Century Modern bent chrome leg floor lamp side table. Exceptional quality craftsmanship excellent condition 3/4" glass top.
Chrome
Tommi Parzinger Hollywood Regency Chandelier of Flowing Crystals and Brass
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Jaw dropping Tommi Parzinger Hollywood Regency Chandelier Pendant of flowing crystals and brass. The chandelier evokes a feeling of living your best of times. Dramatic. Sexy. Chic. Jewelry for your home or work space. Six brass supports emanate like flying buttresses from the chandelier's core with a celebration of several feet of crystals. An overflowing bounty. Brass central support finished with arrow head detail. Six cylindrical brass arms with stiletto end points. Original cream shades with adorning punch outs and gold piping. A great acquisition for a discerning collector or an aficionado all things sexy and lux. Only one of its kind available globally. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed with and also currently available in our shop - Tommi Parzinger Refinished White Chocolate Bar Cabinet with Original Hardware Pair of Billy Haines Brass Neoclassical Side Chairs in Leopard Velvet & Leather Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Coffee / Tea Set 1960s 22k Gold Shoji Sake Bottle & Glasses Set by Imperial Glass Co. 22-Karat Gold Moroccan Themed Jar Container, circa 1965 Feldman Lighting Brass Lotus Candle...
Crystal, Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Stiffel Table Lamp
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Pleased to offer this large brass Tommi Parzinger lamp. This classic design retains its original beautiful patina. The lamp has been rewired. This is truly a striking lamp.
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Curly Maple & Brass Floor Lamps, Mid-Century 1956
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Astoria, NY
Tommi Parzinger (German, 1903-1981) for Parzinger Originals Pair of Curly Maple and Brass Floor Lamp, 1956, custom-made from the Appleman Commission, with silk octagonal shades. Ove...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Floor Lamp
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this exceptional circa 1950s midcentury floor lamp by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. The lamp is fully restored and in great working order. It fea...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Sconces
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Tommi Parzinger sconces model no 12 in brass with suspended crystals and silk shades. Very elegant sconces that can be displayed in a couple of different variations. As shown...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 82 in W 11 in D 11 in
Tommi Parzinger Important Pair of Floor Lamps in White Lacquer and Chrome, 1960s
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of rare and important large floor lamps in white lacquer with incredible etched chrome hardware over original silk string shades by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, 1960...
Chrome
Tommi Parzinger 8 Arm Chandelier with Leaf Motif in Brass, 1950s
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare large 8 arm chandelier in polished brass with stylized etched leaf motif and down light by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950’s. This chandelier exemplifies ...
Metal, Brass
Tommi Parzinger Custom 10-Arm Chandelier Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Chicago, IL
Tommi Parzinger custom 10-arm chandelier Parzinger originals from the appleman commission, etched leaves and floral designs on plated brass with li...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Tommi Parzinger Lamps, Chinese Qing Cloisonné, Cobalt Blue, Gilt, Brass, Signed
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger table lamps, Chinese cloisonné, enameled brass, signed. Parzinger selected these cobalt blue 19th Century Qing Dynasty cloisonné...
Brass