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.
Pair Armchairs by Tommi Parzinger and Henry Olko for Willow and Reed
By Tommi Parzinger, Willow and Reed
Located in Fraser, MI
Pair armchairs designed by Tommi Parzinger and Henry Olko for Willow and Reed.
Fabric, Rattan
$7,290Sale Price|70% Off
Tommi Parzinger Originals Modern Armchair and Ottoman, Club Chair, 1958
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger lounge chair and ottoman, ebonized frame, charcoal grey upholstery. Single owner. Authenticated with the original purchased receipt from Parzinger Originals Inc., dat...
Textile
$8,960Sale Price|60% Off
Tommi Parzinger Originals Modern Armchair and Ottoman, Club Chair, 1958
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
vv
Textile
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Velvet Dining Chairs by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 6 rare Tommi Parzinger dining chairs. Two arm chairs. Four side chairs. Original fabrics and finish. Arm height 24.5". Side chairs: 15.5" W 20.5" D 39.5" H 18.5" seat height...
Velvet, Wood
Parzinger for Willow & Reed Dining Chairs, c.1955 - Set of 6
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Savannah, GA
A set of six restored bamboo dining chairs designed by Tommi Parzinger and Henry Olko for Willow & Reed, Inc., circa 1955. 23 inches wide by 24 ½ inches deep by 37 inches tall; sea...
Rattan
$5,850 / set
H 27.56 in W 20.08 in D 21.26 in
Italian Set of Six Dining Chairs in Red Velvet and White Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, velvet, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s These armchairs embrace the aesthetic sense of the 'Pamplona' chairs designed by Augusto Savini for Pozzi. This design...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
$7,000 / set
H 31.5 in W 24 in D 30 in
Italian Modern Carlo de Carli Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Walnut and Leather
By Carlo di Carli, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Italian walnut lounge chair and ottoman designed by Carlo de Carli for M. Singer & Sons. Features a highly sculpted, ladder-back fra...
Metal
Vintage Chrome and Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning mid-century lounge chair and ottoman, crafted in the United States circa the 1970s. This exquisite set showcases a luxurious design that highlights the elegant materials u...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Eight Tommi Parzinger X-Back Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic and rare set of eight mid-century modern dining chairs consisting of six side chairs and two host armchairs designed by Tommi Parzinger (German 1903-1981) for Charak Furnit...
Fabric, Mahogany
$6,900 / set
H 35 in W 20 in D 18.5 in
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Set of Six X Back Dining Chairs
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of six original Tommi Parzinger X back mahogany dining chairs for Charak Modern. Four side chairs and two arm chairs. Arm height 26 inches. All chairs have been beautifully refinished by our expert restorer and are ready for the seats to be recovered. See our separate listings for the companion Parzinger dining table, china hutch and leather door cabinet...
Mahogany
Vintage Mango Leather Armchair / manner of Parzinger / Dunbar
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mango Orange Leather Armchair in the manner of Tommi Parzinger & Edward Wormley for Dunbar Some of the orange color has faded more Yellow-ish due to wear on the seat as show...
Leather
$2,250
H 43.75 in W 31.5 in D 31 in
Tommi Parzinger Style Lounge Chair Reupholstered Your Fabric Hollywood Regency
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Hollywood Regency Lounge Chair, in the style of Tommi Parzinger, unsigned, American, circa 1940s. This chair is currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be comple...
Upholstery, Wood
Tommi Parzinger Bench for Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in San Francisco, CA
Tommi Parzinger design bench for Parzinger Originals, N.Y. Upholstered in what appears to be the original white leather on a brass tubular studded frame. A rare design made with high...
Brass
$48,000 / set
H 26 in W 40.5 in D 39 in
Brilliant Pair of Rattan and Cane Rib Series Club Chairs by Henry Olko, 1978
By Henry Olko, Willow and Reed
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are unique on the World market. They are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally re...
Cane, Rattan
$1,475
H 55 in W 32.5 in D 24 in
High Back Bamboo Lounge Chair by Henry Olko for Willow Reed c. 1970's
By Henry Olko, Willow and Reed
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional high back peacock chair executed in orange painted bamboo, with original seat and back cushions. This voguish chair was designed by...
Upholstery, Bamboo
$2,000Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 27.5 in W 23.5 in D 20.5 in
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Barrel Back Dining Chairs, Chrome
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning set of four Mid-Century Modern barrel back dining chairs featuring a faux bamboo chrome finish. Unique chairs having six supports conjoining demilune form rings on top and b...
Steel
Sold
H 27.5 in W 28.5 in D 31 in
Tommi Parzinger Originals Modern Armchair and Ottoman, Club Chair, 1958
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger lounge chair and ottoman, ebonized frame, charcoal grey upholstery. Copy of the original purchased receipt included from Parzinger Originals Inc., dated January 15, 1...
Textile
Sold
H 29.5 in W 27 in D 27 in
Tommi Parzinger Veronese Klismos Armchairs, a Pair, in White Boucle, 1950's
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now I have these stunning matched Tommi Parzinger lounge / armchairs. These Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs have been completely refinished, ebonized and expertly re...
Bouclé, Wood
Tommi Parzinger Elegant Pair of Upholstered Arm Chairs, 1950s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of winged upholstered arm chairs with tapering mahogany legs by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950's. Chairs newly reupholstered in textured chenille and ref...
Chenille, Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger Elegant Pair of Arm Chairs with Mohair Upholstery, 1950s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of elegant high back arm chairs, dark mahogany with new mohair upholstery and leather welting, by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American, 1950’s. The arms have a beau...
Leather, Mohair, Mahogany
Sold
H 24 in W 35 in D 35 in
Tommi Parzinger Vibrant Batik Silk Velvet Plinth Tuxedo Armchair & Ottoman 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger vibrant batik silk velvet plinth tuxedo armchair and ottoman 1960s custom Parzinger sectional mahogany plinth-base armchair and ottoman. ...
Velvet
Sold
H 30 in W 27.25 in
Tommi Parzinger, Lounge Chairs, Walnut, Webbing, Green Velvet Charak Modern 1957
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of lounge chairs designed by Tommi Parzinger in 1957. Produced by Charak Modern. Composed of stained walnut, original webbing, cushions reupholstered in brand new high-end vel...
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Armchairs by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of armchairs designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals.
1950s Henry Olko Mid Century Rattan Throne Chairs for Willow and Reed
By Tommi Parzinger, Willow and Reed
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $5,850....From the Pavilion collection for Willow and Reed, Inc., a pair of Henry Olko armchairs. A 1950s design in rattan and cane with throne chair regal aspirations ...
Cane, Rattan
Pair of Tommi Parzinger Armchairs
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Elegant armchairs, designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered. The price noted below include...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Tommi Parzinger Armchairs
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tommi Parzinger armchairs with curved back and arms and tapered legs. Newly restored and reupholstered. Measures: Arm height 24.5" Seat width 19.75" Sea...
Sold
H 29 in W 24 in D 25 in
Tommi Parzinger Veronese Klismos Armchairs, Newly Upholstered, Set of Two
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of Veronese Klismos chairs by Tommi Parzinger which have been newly upholstered in a lush olive green hair-on-hide leather with color matching leather trim. The curvac...
Hide
Pair of Tommi Parzinger Chairs
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Tommi Parzinger chairs, American, circa 1950s. They are a versatile size and can be used as lounge or occasional chairs in a living area or bedroom, or as dining or game tabl...
Upholstery, Wood