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Tommi Parzinger

German, 1903-1981

German furniture designer Tommi Parzinger brought high-style modernism to the forefront. Taking a vivid, stylized approach to mid-century furniture, many of his works feature boldly colored lacquers and offbeat finishes that make his pieces stand out among the works of his peers. Despite his uniquely progressive vision, Parzinger showed equal expertise in producing fine, traditional furnishings.

Born in Munich, Parzinger moved to New York City in 1932. He began his practice in the United States by designing for the Manhattan style trailblazer Rena Rosenthal. In 1939, he established his first company, which split its focus between handcrafted silver household items — such as tea sets and barware — and home furnishings, like dining tables and cabinets. In his first year in business, Parzinger exhibited several pieces of furniture at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. 

A master craftsman, Parzinger sought out the most exceptional materials for his furniture, employing the finest woods — like mahogany and walnut — as well as including custom brass hardware and pewter inlays.

His silver works presented an elevated level of style and grace. A November 1939 article in LIFE magazine described Parzinger as “the most creative original designer of silverware in the United States.”

While he was still running his own business — creating 12 to 30 new designs each year — Charak Furniture Company appointed Parzinger as its head of modern furniture design. He modernized Charak’s design approach from a more traditional form to a mid-century modern style.

In the mid-1960s, Parzinger stopped designing furniture, turning his company over to his friend Donald Cameron. He shifted his attention to paintings, which he created until his death in 1981.

On 1stDibs, find a broad selection of vintage Tommi Panzinger tables, lighting, storage pieces and more.

Tommi Parzinger Tall Illuminated Bar Cabinet for Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An extraordinary dry bar designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. This cabinet is absolutely fabulous. It features gorgeous door fronts with a wave like pattern in high g...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Walnut

Tommi Parzinger Brass Ice Bucket
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Classically tailored brass ice bucket with tongs and ice pick designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger Brass Ice Bucket
Tommi Parzinger Brass Ice Bucket
H 14 in W 10 in D 7 in
Tommi Parzinger Brass Candlesticks
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury classically styled candlesticks with a square base stylized column and engraved drip plate. Designed by Tommi Parzinger, signature stamp on bottom. Polished.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Tommi Parzinger Green Leather Occasional Table
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mid Century Modern Tommi Parzinger Green Leather Occasional Table
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Leather, Wood

Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Display Cabinet, c 1955, Signed
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare collectors item, this fully restored Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern (c. 1955) display cabiinet / vitrine, features beautiful french polish with Parzinger's signature statement door handles. Signed with Charak Modern label on the backside of the upper cabinet. This refined and sophisticated Parzinger credenza with glass display hutch is perfect for those high-end luxury pads looking for an incredible and collectible statement piece, which Parzinger was known to create. The gorgeous color is close to the Hermès orange, but perhaps a little bit deeper and bolder - perhaps somewhere between Hermès orange and blood orange. Beauty in every detail, from the cross-cut glass panes, to the upper flared embellishments and the signature Parzinger door handles. Let's not skip one more aspect of this table that is equally important - the collectors appeal. Furniture by Tommi Parzinger is one of the most sought-after and cherished items of sophisticated collectors. This isn't for your typical Eames and George Nelson collector, it is much more for a refined collector, perhaps a connoisseur of fine rarities. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship and design details are something to be admired. Parzinger and Charak Modern designed and crafted some of the highest quality furniture of the early and mid 20th Century. That was at a time when US manufacturing was at its best. And now in this day and age of cheap products not meant to last - this table is your daily reminder that 'they don't make them like they used to.' We restored this incredible sideboard display cabinet with hand-applying a new French Polish lacquer. French Polish is the most laborious and expensive finish because it requires many repetitive coats and each one hand polished to a fine glass-like finish, and while it is very expensive, it is worth it for rare and valuable pieces like this Tommi Parzinger vitrine. The results are nothing short of spectacular - such a smooth, clear and deep finish - it looks almost like a sheet of glass (much more incredible in-person than you can see (or touch / feel) in the photos). And besides how incredible it looks - it will also protect your investment for the decades ahead. This Parzinger cabinet is an ideal example for the most discriminating interior designer client or collector. This french polish cabinet...
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Ebonized Walnut Night Stands/End Tables w/ Brass by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger (1903-1981) was a celebrated German-born designer and artist known for his luxurious and meticulously crafted furniture, lighting, and home accessories that epitomize...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger Tall Chest or Dresser for Charak Modern
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A tall chest of drawers designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Two piece cabinet with lower portion consisting of three generous sized drawers. Above sits a cabinet with door...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Extendable Dining Table, c 1950s, Signed
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A circa 1950s Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern extendable dining table crafted with contrasting Mahogany and geometric fruitwood inlay on top of fluted and tapered legs ending with ...
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Browse all Furniture from Tommi Parzinger
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Tommi Parzinger Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$1,000CandlesticksBrass1950s
2025$2,275Side TablesLeather, Mahogany1948
2025$2,076Side TablesLeather, Wood1960s
2025$9,500Chandeliers and PendantsBrass, Steel1970s
2025$400BarwareBrass, Mercury Glasscirca 20th century
2025$6,408Beds and Bed FramesBrass1960s
2025$475TablewareBrassCirca 1965
2025$2,962Tables, Coffee and Cocktail TablesGlass, Gold Leaf, Iron1940s
2025$2,700Dressers, Commodes and Chests of DrawersWalnut, Parchment Paper2000
2025$2,200Night StandsWood, Lacquer1950s
2025$2,890Table LampsBrass1960s
2025$2,740CandlesticksBrass1960s
2025$265CandelabrasBrass1950s
2025$975Armchairs, ChairsUpholstery, Giltwood1940s-1960s
2025$3,060Dressers, CredenzasBrass, Fruitwoodcirca 1970s
2025$1,165Candelabras, Table LampsBrass1950s
2025$3,230Table LampsBrass1960s
2025$2,465ArmchairsRattan1950s
2025$5,822BenchesBrass1956
2025$5,108End TablesMahogany1960s
$4,649
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$265-$42,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Tommi Parzinger

Tommi Parzinger furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Tommi Parzinger furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tommi Parzinger furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Tommi Parzinger were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul Frankl, and John Widdicomb. Prices for Tommi Parzinger furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $585 and can go as high as $45,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,800.

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