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.
1960s Tommi Parzinger Coffee Pot Brass & Walnut Dorlyn Silversmiths
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in Chula Vista, CA
By Designer Tommi Parzinger Modern Brass Coffee Tea Service Pot with silverplate. Sculptural Walnut Wood handle. Stamped Dorlyn Silversmiths. 12 tall x 8.5 d x 5.5 diameter Unrestore...
Brass
Mid Century Tommi Parzinger Brass Platter
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century Modern large hand lathed/engraved brass serving platter designed by Tommi Parzinger. Sure to brighten any table.
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Brass Serving Set, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s USA
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Set of 2 brass serving pieces designed by Tommi Parzinger featuring a brass compote and a brass covered dish with a divided glass insert. Each stamped.
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Candelabrum & Pair Serving Trays
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in Hanover, MA
A three piece serving centerpiece grouping from among the least commonly seen items from the 1950's brass ware collection designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths, consisting of an exceptionally large candelabrum for five tapers with two tiers of round bon bon trays, and a matching pair of two-tier serving trays...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Polished Nickel Candlesticks, Tray Set
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century three-piece table garniture set featuring a serving tray and a pair of candlesticks, all designed by Tommi Parzinger. Tray measures: 10.5 x ...
Nickel
Trays Mondrian Style Set of 5
Located in Paris, FR
Mondrian style set of 5 trays with structure and frame in solid wenge, each tray is covered with natural genuine leather, 2 trays in red, 1 tray in b...
Leather, Wenge
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Coffee & Tea Service
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in Hanover, MA
Four piece coffee/tea service in solid brass designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths circa 1950, distributed by Vincent Lippe Co. This is the earliest version with the distinctively ornate thistle finials on the fitted lids. Set includes large and small lidded carafes, lidded sugar container and 12" diameter round tray. All marked: Made by Dorlyn Silversmiths and a conjoined "RP" in which the "R" is reversed. The 'R' here in the mark probably refers to Otto Rasmussen...
Brass
Moroccan Moorish Polished Brass Decorative Tray Wall Hanging
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fabulous Moroccan Moorish hand-hammered brass tray, intricate multi dimension artwork, very fine Islamic Metalwork brass repousse designs. Handcrafted wall hanging decorative brass tray with a copper...
Brass
Robert Picault Ceramic Vallauris France Ceramic Platter Mid Century
By Robert Picault
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Robert Picault (1919 - 2000) French ceramist in Vallauris Robert Picault has contributed to the revival of culinary ceramics by updating traditional local forms decorated with li...
Ceramic
$1,486 / item
H 1.38 in W 27.17 in D 8.67 in
Wooden serving tray of decorative walnut wood from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
This organically shaped serving tray is carved from one solid piece of walnut wood and embedded with hand-placed glass pearl bead ornamentation. It can also be used as a platter or table centrepiece. The Pok collection celebrates the artistry of hand-crafted beadwork made by the Pokot women in Northwest Kenya. Influenced by the hand-carved African gourd...
Hardwood, Walnut, Beads
Marble Tray Reddish Color, with Leather Straps, Large
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Marble trays with leather straps and brass bottom reinforcement. Leather tips on the legs to avoid scratching surfaces. Marble is a non-foliated ...
Marble
$736Sale Price|40% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 12.6 in
Mid-Century Decorative Platter by Albert Thiry 'circa 1960s'
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative platter (circa 1960s) by Albert Thiry. A milky-white glaze graces both the exterior and the hollow centre. The interior has small tracts of green and earthy cl...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Wooden Tray, Brown Wood, Sweden, Modern Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Wooden Tray, Sweden, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Mid-Century Modern Country of Or...
Wood
$609
H 0.99 in W 13.39 in D 9.45 in
Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
1970s Rectangular serving tray centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and chrome borders in the style of Christian Dior Home, made in Italy 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
Monumental Moroccan Polished Metal Brass Tray Platter 39 inches
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Monumental Moroccan metal polished brass tray platter. Polished decorative metal brass tray with very fine intricate Moorish geometric designs. Hand-hammered and chiseled in geometri...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Nickel-Plated Coffee or Tea Set
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in St. Louis, MO
A coffee or tea serving set designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths. This set is made of heavy brass, and has been newly plated in a nickel finish. It consists of a pitch...
Brass
$1,640 / set
H 3.75 in Dm 11.23 in
1960s Majolica Glazed Ceramic Cabbage Serving Set, Platter and Six Bowls
Located in Barcelona, ES
Salad or Fruit serving set cabbage design. Portugal, 1960s. One of a kind set of 6 Majolica ceramic cabbage leaf dishes and a large cabbage centerpiece bowl. Very realistic design in...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Tommi Parzinger Brass 3 Tier Canape Server
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger brass 3 tier canapé/bon bon swivel server. Signed, professionally polished and lacquered.
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Tray Mid-Century Modern Barware
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in North Miami, FL
This hallmarked brass tray by Dorlyn silversmiths for Tommi Parzinger is Mid-Century Modern. The tray has 4 ball feet and curved handles at either end. It is from the 1950s and has b...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Brass Champagne Cooler or Ice Bucket
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fine lacquered brass lidded ice bucket or champagne cooler designed by Tommi Parzinger, including ice tongs. The ice bucket is in original almost new untouched condition. Stamped "...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Tray
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fine lacquered brass oblong tray designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths, New York. This distinctive tray features clean line handles with simple and elegant criss cros...
Brass
Set of Three Graduated Serving Trays in Brass by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of three graduated trays in lacquered brass by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths with signature concentric rings motif to each foot. All original condition with normal...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Long Brass Footed Tray
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Hanover, MA
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths long brass tray with detailed handles and four feet. Professionally polished and re-lacquered.
Brass
Set of 3 Tommi Parzinger Serving Pieces
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional set of 3 polished brass serving dishes designed by Tommi Parzinger.
Brass
Double Chafing Dish Set in Brass by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Double Chafing Dish Set in Brass by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Siversmiths, American 1950's (marked on bottom with Dorlyn insignia)