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 Classic Modern Ten Foot Sofa in Mahogany, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare and extraordinarily well-built Tommi Parzinger Sofa. This sofa was acquired from the original owners in south Florida who were friends of Tommi Pa...
Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger Parzinger Original Vintage Sofa
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Westport, CT
Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger original custom sofa , from Parzingers accountant , in off-white chenille and dark walnut legs.
Tommi Parzinger Sofa for Parzinger Originals
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chicago, IL
Tommi Parzinger sofa for Parzinger Originals, ceruse oak solid legs, fully restored and reupholstered with great plains cotton-poly.
Upholstery, Oak
$16,000 / set
H 24.02 in W 26.78 in D 33.86 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s Created by renowned Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin circa 1960, the "Cubo" - or Cube - armchair is s...
Fabric, Plywood
$6,890
H 31.89 in W 65.75 in D 35.83 in
Vivai del Sud Sofa and Coffee Table in Curved Bamboo and Leather, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Italian Mid-Century organic sofa and matching coffee table, fully made of bamboo, leather, and maple wood. The coffee table is completed with its original smoky bronzed gla...
Bamboo, Rattan, Leather, Fabric, Cotton, Cane, Chestnut
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa, Cuban Cigar
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage-style classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a vintage Cuban cigar color. With tufted backrest and rollo...
Leather, Wood
$6,833
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 30.71 in
Rare Arne Norell Ilona Sofa in Original Green Leather, Sweden, 1970s
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original two-seat Arne Norell Ilona sofa in original patinated green leather. Made by Norell Mobler in Sweden. In very good vintage condition with minor signs of use and wear rela...
Brass
$2,362Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 46.46 in D 26.78 in
Paolo Buffa Vintage Sofa in Wood and Floral Fabric 'Attr.'
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful vintage floral sofa designed in the 1950s and attributed to the craftsmanship of Paolo Buffa, of fine Italian manufacture. The sofa has...
Fabric, Wood
$26,900Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 75 in D 36 in
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...
Rosewood, Leather
Tommi Parzinger Bench
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A classic Parzinger Originals Form. Reupholstered and refinished.
Mahogany
12 Foot Dunbar Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Twelve feet long! Custom made Dunbar sofa designed by Edward Wormley. This was reupholstered 10 years ago and has seen very little use since. We have refinished the base since these ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Curved Back Modern Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This long and low vintage Mid-Century Modern sofa is fitted with soft bright colored fabric and sleek walnut legs. The modern design is what gives the sofa its distinctive look. Plea...
Fabric, Wood
$12,287
H 29.93 in W 76.78 in D 28.75 in
Danish Modern TV Bench Sofa Model 161 by Hans Olsen Bramin, Denmark, 1960s
By Hans Olsen, Bramin Mobler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Modular teak TV bench model 161 by Hans Olsen for Bramin, Denmark. The set consists of a bench, two seating modules and a table. Four cushions are included. We...
Teak
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960. We don't have the time to write an extensive description on each of our pieces. We pref...
Upholstery
Vintage DS-47 Leather Sofa by De Sede, Circa 1970
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Swiss DS-47 Buffalo leather 2-seater sofa by De Sede, 1970s. The thick neck leather is 5mm thick and very durable. The seat extends up to 9" for another seating position. W...
Leather
Sold
H 24 in W 135 in D 35 in
Parzinger Batik Silk Velvet Living Room Set, Sectional Sofa, Armchair, 1960s
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Parzinger Batik silk velvet living room set, sectional sofa, armchair, 1960s. Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. Vibrant batik silk velvet modern tuxedo two-piece modular sofa....
Velvet
Sold
H 27 in W 35 in D 85 in
Parzinger Originals Plinth Sofa, Daybed Loveseat & Coffee Table Living Set, 1959
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Parzinger originals plinth sofa, daybed loveseat and coffee table living set 1959 gorgeous original textile. Single owner. From Living room suite purchased...
Textile
Sold
H 27 in W 35 in D 85 in
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Modern Single-Cushion Plinth Sofa, 1959
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger originals modern single-cushion Plinth Sofa, 1959. Gorgeous orignal textile. Single owner. From Living room suite purchased f...
Textile
Sold
H 24 in W 135 in D 35 in
Tommi Parzinger Vibrant Batik Silk Velvet Plinth Tuxedo Two-Piece Sofa, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger vibrant batik silk velvet modern tuxedo two-piece modular sofa, 1960s. Custom Parzinger sectional mahogany plinth-base sofa. Psychedelic orange and blue silk velvet, ...
Velvet
Rare Tommi Parzinger Four-Seat Midcentury Sofa with Sabre Legs, 1950s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find Tommi Parzinger sofa with classic midcentury lines, circa 1950. Handsome dark walnut or mahogany decorative stretchers and elegant sabre l...
Chenille, Mahogany, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 84.5 in D 32 in
Stunning Mid-Century Modernist Sofa by Tommi Parzinger in Smoked Platinum Velvet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous sofa has clean classic lines and was designed by Tommi Parzinger. It also features sculpted saber legs in ebonized walnut. This sofa has been completely restored and re...
Walnut
Daybed by Tommi Parzinger for Willow and Reed
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
An asymmetrical bamboo daybed designed by Tommi Parzinger for Willow and Reed.
Three-Seat Sofa by Tommi Parzinger, New York, c. 1946
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
An early three- seat sofa by Tommi Parzinger dating from the mid to late 1940s with bleached mahogany base. The sofa reupholstered in Nancy Corzine Pearl 100% silk velvet. The who...
Rare Iron Sofa by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Iron Sofa, designed by Tommi Parzinger for Salterini, circa 1950's.
Bouclé, Ivory, Upholstery