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 Originals Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic server/buffet by Tommy Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, ca' 1960's. Beautiful brass hardware, key, felt lined top drawer. High quality construction and original warm finish.
Wood
$6,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Tommi Parzinger Sideboard Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern buffet. Ribbon grain mahogany with wonderful color, featuring 5 drawers centering two doors. Sculptural wood handles.
Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern China Breakfront
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
Two piece mahogany breakfront and buffet designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern circa 1952. Signed Charak Modern. Retains three original solid brass sculptural keys and all working locks. The base cabinet has three doors with distinctive diamond pattern inlay in satinwood. Each door has a custom Parzinger solid brass pull. Behind the bottom left and right doors is an open white cabinet with three original number-stamped shelves which are adjustable and removable. Behind the center door are five pull-out drawers. The upper cabinet has three doors with astonishingly beautiful glass panels which have been deeply wheel cut repeating the diamond pattern as below. The interior of the upper cabinet is painted white, backed by mirror and holds nine adjustable thick glass shelves each with plate grooves. Top left and right have signature Parzinger 'wings' a design element frequently repeated in his career. Beautifully restored by our expert refinisher. See our separate listings for the companion Parzinger dining table, dining chairs and leather front cabinet...
Brass
$5,400Sale Price|53% Off
Hollywood Regency Tommi Parzinger Charak Modern Buffet
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Miami, FL
Hollywood Regency Tommi Parzinger Charak Modern buffet Tommi Parzinger five-drawer mahogany cabinet with two doors concealing shelves ...
Brass
Art Deco Solid Oak Credenza, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Description: This exquisite bleached French buffet was personally handpicked by our founder, Yannick, ensuring its uniqueness and quality. A st...
Marble
Charles Dudouyt - Cabinet - Oak - 1940s - France - Brutalist
By Gaston Poisson, Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
An exceptional French Brutalist Art Deco vitrine cabinet from the 1940s, crafted in solid oak with striking architectural details. Discovered in Normandy, this piece reflects the cra...
Oak
$55,000
H 31.75 in W 63.5 in D 20 in
French Mid-Century Modern "Croissilon" Sideboard / Credenza Attr. to Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical sideboard, credenza or cabinet circa 1940-1950 attributed to Andre Arbus. The sideboard is a masterpiece of form and materials. It combines modern simplicity and purity with neoclassical cross...
Rattan, Cherry
$24,500Sale Price|30% Off
H 79 in W 51.25 in D 20.5 in
Tommi Parzinger, Mid-Century Modern, Rare Cabinet, Brown Lacquer, Brass, 1950s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Manhasset, NY
One of a kind, showroom model, fabulous Parzinger Art Deco designed wardrobe/entertainment center. Carrying five pull-out drawers and one large open top shelf and six smaller opened ...
Wood
Sculptural Art Deco Solid Oak Credenza, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A study in sculptural restraint, this French buffet reveals a language of measured proportion and textural nuance. Personally selected by our founder, Yannick, the piece embodies the...
Marble
Sleek Belgium Modernist Two-Door Sideboard or Cabinet
By De Coene Frères
Located in Westport, CT
A super Art Deco two-door cabinet finishing on a pedestal base shown with nickel plated hardware in beautiful rich stained rosewood veneer. Sleek two door cabinet/sideboard/bar on a ...
Rosewood
$24,975
H 35 in W 92.25 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Fluted Walnut Sideboard w/ Sculptural Brass Pulls by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist sideboard, designed by the celebrated American designer Tommy Parzinger, is a statement piece that combines functionality with the refined elegance that Pa...
Brass
$5,196Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.25 in W 42 in D 21 in
Pair Mid-Century Modern Gilded Mahogany Buffets Cabinets, circa 1950
By Alberto Mastroianni
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Mid-Century Modern gilded mahogany buffets cabinets, circa 1950, perfectly embodies the bold yet elegant aesthetic of the era. Each cabinet is constructed with a rich ma...
Gold Leaf
René Gabriel Sideboard Credenza, France, 1940
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing an extraordinary oak sideboard attributed to the renowned designer René Gabriel. This exceptional piece showcases Gabriel's signature style and attention to detail while...
Oak
Tommi Parzinger Bleached Quarter Sawn Oak Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century Modern custom finished Bleached and Cerused Oak cerused oak Credenza. Top and front feature quarrter sawn oak pieces which provide a subtle diamond pattern. A heavy aged ...
Oak
$4,024
H 48.82 in W 17.72 in D 48.82 in
Scandinavian Teak Showcase from the 60's by HW Klein Edited by Bramin
By Henry Walter Klein
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very nice Scandinavian vitrine from the 60's attributed to designer Henry Walt Klein, edited by Bramin. Structure in solid teak and veneer. It is composed of two sliding glass doors ...
Glass, Teak
On Hold|$4,850
H 40.25 in W 44 in D 18.25 in
Tommi Parzinger Glazed Leather Chest Of Drawers For Charak Modern
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with the case lacquered to imitate vellum. Three drawers with leather and glazed surface. Mother of Pearl knobs. Signed "Charak Modern" inside drawer. Square section feet.
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.12 in W 62 in D 17.5 in
Tommi Parzinger, Buffet, Bleached Mahogany, Brass, Charak Modern, USA, 1960s
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached mahogany and brass buffet designed by Tommi Parzinger and produced by Charak Modern, Boston, MA, United States, 1960s.
Brass
Rare Sideboard by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany, brass. A dark wood cabinet featuring 4 drawers with brass “ribbon” drawer-pulls. Single center drop-down door that opens to reveal more sto...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger 4 Door Credenza with Exquisite Hardware 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning 4 Door credenza in beached ash burl with chrome base and exquisite chrome hardware by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1960's. The combination of materials ...
Chrome
Tommi Parzinger Weathered Oak, Mahogany Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern classically styled credenza, buffet featuring a custom weathered oak/driftwood finish with aged bronzed brass hardware. Credenza has 3...
Mahogany, Oak
Tommi Parzinger Pistachio Matte Lacquer Sideboard
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in New York, NY
American midcentury sideboard featuring a seductive matte finished Pistachio color lacquer with stylized brass leaf handles, interior finished in a white matte lacquer with shelves. ...
Brass
Elegant Tommi Parzinger Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Stunning newly refinished Tommi Parzinger for Charak cabinet. The cabinet has been beautifully refinished in a soft gray tone with polished brass pulls. The interior sides of the ca...
Wood
Tommi Parzinger Coral Lacquer Studded Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger credenza featuring 4 doors which conceal 2 storage compartments, 1 having a felt lined divided drawer, the other 2 adjustable shelves. Sideboard has been mint restore...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Mahogany Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Refined and tailored midcentury Classic ebonized mahogany credenza with a three storage compartments, the center compartment housing two drawers and a shelf, the outer compartments h...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Studded White Sideboard, circa 1950
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brussels, BE
Iconic studded white sideboard by Tommi Parzinger for Parzigner Originals. This model features four doors with adjustable shelves as well as a felt-lined interior drawer. Brand signe...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Elegant Sideboard-Console Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Miami, FL
A well proportioned and elegant sideboard. Solid mahogany construction with iconic brass hardware and black glass top. Lacquered base. Lots of storage.
Exceptional Four-Door Studded Cabinet by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exceptional four-door credenza in ivory lacquer with brass studs and iconic pulls on a dark mahogany base by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950s (signed “Parzinge...
Tommi Parzinger Originals Buffet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Manhasset, NY
One of two Tommi Parzinger compatible buffets. Two drawers by two drawers with milk glass tops and separations on drawer interior. On an ebonized base. Fine condition. The Sylvia Ho...