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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 For Charak Hollywood Regency King Size Bed
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Art Deco Hollywood Regency King style bed, designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak. The bed features an sophisticated elegant curved detail at the top edge, a reeded bor...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Wood

Sophisticated ALL ARM Set of 12 Star Back Chairs in Espresso by Tommi Parzinger
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Atlanta, GA
This large ALL ARM set of rare examples is unique on the World market. It is a offering so unusual that research can find no evidence of a similar set ever being available for sale. ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Mahogany

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 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

Tommi Parzinger Brass Candlesticks
Tommi Parzinger Brass Candlesticks
$1,000 / set
H 8 in W 4 in D 4 in
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Display Cabinet, c 1955, Signed
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
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

Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Display Cabinet, c 1955, Signed
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Display Cabinet, c 1955, Signed
$12,200 Sale Price
32% Off
H 75.5 in W 78.25 in D 15.75 in
Tommi Parzinger Tall Chest or Dresser for Charak Modern
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
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 Charak Leather Clad Chests of Drawers, Pair Circa 1950s
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Miami, FL
Tommi Parzinger Charak Leather Clad Chests of Drawers, pair Circa 1950 Offered for sale is an elegant pair of leather clad chests of drawers by Tommi Parziner for Charak Furniture. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Brass

Sleek Parzinger Mid-Century Modern Laquered Mahogany & Maple Dining Table
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Breathtaking No. 161 dining table by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals featuring an inlaid dark mahogany lacquered top inlaid with contrasting maple and laquered maple legs ter...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tommi Parzinger

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

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Tommi Parzinger Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$925Table Lamps1950s
2025$7,500Conference Tables, Dining Room TablesFruitwood, Mahogany, Brasscirca 1950s
2025$200CandelabrasBronzecirca 1930s
2025$675CandlesticksMetal, Brasscirca 20th century
2025$2,750Settees, BenchesIron1960-1970
2025$637CandlesticksBrasscirca 1960s
2025$1,980CandlesticksBrass, Glass1955
2025$4,000Table LampsWood, Brass1956
2025$3,290Table LampsBrassUnknown
2025$5,865Cabinets, Dry BarsBrass, Leather, Mahogany1953
2025$1,000CandlesticksBrass1950s
2025$12,750Lounge ChairsBouclé, Walnut1950s
2025$805Candle SconcesBrass 1960-1969
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
$4,212
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$200-$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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