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
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern China Breakfront
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
Tommi Parzinger designedf two piece mahogany breakfront and buffet 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
Hollywood Regency Tommi Parzinger Charak Modern Buffet
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Miami, FL
Hollywood Regency Tommi Parzinger Charak Modern buffet Tommi Parzinger five-drawer mahogany cabinet with two doors concealing shelves ...
Brass
$6,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Tommi Parzinger Sideboard Cabinet
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
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
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
$3,968
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
Tommi Parzinger Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tommi Parzinger 4 door Cabinet, Brass Hardware and studs to front and sides Marked Parzinger Originals
Mahogany
$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
1950s Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Chest of Drawers
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful Sabre leg chest of drawers on mahogany by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Great scale and stunning hardware Other notable designer from the period include T.H. Robsjohn...
Mahogany
$15,800
H 24.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Low Cabinet In Tommi Parzinger Style Wood and Brass, 1950's
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in North Miami, FL
This magnificent and fully restored vintage Tommi Parzinger style Mid-Century Modern low cabinet is sculptural with its monumental polished solid brass hardware that opens the cabinet doors on both sides. It has brass inlay on the top and bottom and legs. The special beautiful restored stain on the wood is a light grey to darker grey over the walnut. One can see the grain of the wood as it becomes more of a mix of champagne and grey. This is perfect in back of a sofa, in a bedroom or den in front of a flat screen TV. Also a great large painting or work of art would be fantastic on top of it. There is one-drawer on the right hand side and 2 shelves on the left and one on the right hand side. Quite stunning! Beautifully restored! All of the original fabulous hardware has been polished. It is 2 cabinets on the one base originally designed and made this way. They do not separate as in for nightstands and they cannot be separated. It is one great Mid-Century Modern designer cabinet...
Brass
$4,260Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 17.75 in D 42 in
1940's Hollywood Regency Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquered and Painted Buffet
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful 1940's Hollywood Regency Asian/ Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Cabinet/ Buffet/ Sideboard/ Credenza/ Dry Bar. Beautifully exec...
Wood
Danish Mid-Century Teak Credenza Sideboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage teak sideboard makes a stylish storage piece in a variety of settings. Quality Teak veneer, unique carved pulls, interior rosewood drawers and plenty of cabinet...
Teak
$3,267Sale Price|20% Off
H 68.12 in W 41.34 in D 17.33 in
Minimal Italian Mid-Century Geometric Cabinet Bar Mahogany Dassi Milano
By Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Minimal Italian mid-century geometric cabinet bar mahogany Dassi Milano. In the center a large door with a bar compartment for spirits and glasses...
Laminate, Mahogany
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
$2,450
H 34 in W 36 in D 16.25 in
Tommi Parzinger Bamboo and Cane Cabinet Mid Century Modern Glamour 36wx34hx16d
Located in Atlanta, GA
Glamorous Black Cabinet. designed by Tommi Parzinger for Willow and Reed, American, circa 1950s. It has been constructed of bamboo, wood, and cane, with polished brass hardware, and ...
Wood, Bamboo
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
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 Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
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 Stamford, CT
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...