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 Leather Covered Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A green leather clad cabinet with gold embossing and brass hardware. Designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern.
Leather
Stunning Tommi Parzinger Cabinet.
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Wave front cabinet by Tommi Parzinger. The two double door cabinet has been Newly restored with polished brass handles. The interior of the cabinet has four adjustable she...
Brass
$36,000
Tommi Parzinger Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Tommi Parzinger cabinet. Sleek sophisticated cabinet Newly restored in an ivory satin finish set on a rich Mahogany plinth base. The cabinet has two sets of drawers with t...
Wood
Tommi Parzinger Console Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A four drawer lacquered console cabinet with mahogany base, brass hardware and Vitrolite white glass top. Designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals.
Lacquer
$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 Mid Century Mahogany Breakfront China Cabinet
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Mid Century Mahogany Breakfront China Cabinet The upper of the china cabinet measures: 60 wide x 13.25 deep x 44.5 inches high The lower of the chi...
Glass, Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger Credenza/ Sideboard for Charak Modern
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare long credenza designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Features three sections each revealed by a door. Left section containing a drawer and shelf, middle section housin...
Oak
Tommi Parzinger Sliding Door Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tommi Parzinger Ceruse Finish credenza A great early form on a sophisticated Plynth base. Original lacquered interior. The home this was in was featured in a 1956 House beautiful cov...
Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger Early Important Tall Cabinet/ Bookcase Limed Sawed Oak Cane Door
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Westport, CT
Highly important Tommi Parzinger tall Limed sawed oak and Cane front Bookcase /Cabinet . 1930's together with original photo and sketch fro catalog page ,one of three possibly made. ...
Cane, Oak
Two-Door Cabinet by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a rare example of Tommi Parzinger's work using fine veneers. This cabinet has absolutely stunning book matched veneers of Curley Maple inset with Mahogany inlays. Perfect fro...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Illuminated Parchment Cabinet for Parzinger Originals, Signed
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional illuminated cabinet designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, circa 1950 (signed 'Parzinger Originals'). Originally conceived as an elegant bar cabinet, thi...
Chrome
Tommi Parzinger Tall Chest or Dresser for Charak Modern
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A tall chest of drawers designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Two piece cabinet with lower portion consisting of three generous sized drawers. Above sits a cabinet with door...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Bleached Elm Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Bleached Elm Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet. Item features swing doors, five dovetail constructed drawers, c...
Elm
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Sideboard Server Two-Door Cabinet
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined mid-century modern two-door storage cabinet sideboard server designed by Tommi Parzinger (Germany 1903-1981) for Charak Furniture Company, Boston, Mass. The versatile piece...
Brass
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
$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
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
$3,600
H 32 in W 68 in D 18 in
Decorative Dresser, Hand Painted, Brass, Cabinet, Hollywood Regency, Green
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand painted dresser with nine drawers and brass hardware.
Brass
$8,800
H 29 in W 44 in D 13.5 in
Tommi Parzinger Style Hollywood Regency Yellow & White Cabinet or Console
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
1960s Hollywood Regency cabinet or console professionally refinished in yellow and white lacquer with original Chinoiserie medallion hardware and mirror top in the style of Tommi Par...
Brass
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
1950s Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Chest of Drawers
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
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
$35,000
H 72 in W 60 in D 13 in
Tommi Parzinger Early Important Tall Cabinet/ Bookcase Limed Sawed Oak Cane Door
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Westport, CT
Highly important Tommi Parzinger tall Limed sawed oak and Cane front Bookcase /Cabinet . 1930's together with original photo and sketch fro catalog page ,one of three possibly made. ...
Cane, Oak
Parzinger Style Pink Leather Diamond Quilted Leather Door Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in St. Louis, MO
1940s pink leather door cabinet that has in used diamond pattern tooled in 22-karat gold. Top and sides also leather with a bleached mahogany fram...
Brass
$28,000
H 92 in W 55 in D 21 in
Tommi Parzinger Illuminated Parchment Cabinet for Parzinger Originals, Signed
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional illuminated cabinet designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, circa 1950 (signed 'Parzinger Originals'). Originally conceived as an elegant bar cabinet, thi...
Chrome
Stunning Tommi Parzinger Studded Handcuff Credenza Sideboard
By Parzinger Originals
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A luxurious chrome studded lemon-yellow credenza sideboard with unique heavy chromed handcuff door pulls. This exceptional piece has four doors, the in...
Metal, Chrome
$8,900
H 30.75 in W 55 in D 19 in
Tommi Parzinger Lacquered Dresser With Brass Hardware for Willow and Reed
By Tommi Parzinger, Willow and Reed
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare dresser designed by Tommi Parzinger. This example appears to be in original condition with white exterior and tan drawer fronts, complete with fashionable drawer pulls so char...
Reed, Lacquer
Walnut Cabinet by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A monumental Tommi Parzinger walnut cabinet with expressive grain and carved doors. Beautifully detailed with brass hardware and rosewood veneer on the top of the doors. Fully restor...
Walnut
Tommi Parzinger Iconic Studded Small Chest/Bedside Table 1981
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Small cabinet/chest/bedside table model 223S with 2 drawers in mahogany with chrome studs and exquisite pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1981. This piece i...
Chrome
Tommi Parzinger 2-Door Cabinet with Illuminating Glass Top 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
2 Door cabinet with sculpted doors and sides with geometric motif with iconic engraved brass pulls and hinges, and illuminating glass top by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, ...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Cabinet for Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A lacquered cabinet with sliding doors, brushed silver hardware and a marble top. Designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. Fully restored.
Marble
Tommi Parzinger Chests for Charak Modern- A Pair
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant and rare pair of chests/ commodes designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Each chest features two large drawers and two half drawers, finished in an elegant mahogan...
Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger Small Chest for Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A small chest / nightstand designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. Original blue lacquer with pull out file drawer on casters.
Lacquer
Tommi Parzinger Leather Front Chest of Drawers for Charak Modern
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant chest of drawers designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Drawer fronts feature hand tooled yellow/ parchment leather which perfectly compliments the dark wood case....
Leather, Wood
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Three-Door Studded Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals three door studded cabinet. The cabinet has been Newly restored in a soft white Matte finish and brass studs and sits on an espresso colored...
Wood, Lacquer
Tommi Parzinger Originals 1940 Studded 3 Door American Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
A three door matte white cabinet on a espresso plinth base. The sideboard cabinet has beautiful satin brass pulls and studs to the face and sides. Drawers and shelves are held inside...
Enamel
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Leather Front Chest of Drawers
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Iconic chest of drawers designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern. Features four drawers all clad in hand tooled leather fronts. Top and bottom drawers ar...
Leather
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Two Door Cabinet
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
Classic mahogany cabinet with tooled and gilt diamond pattern green leather door panels and distinctive polished brass door pulls. Features a single adjustable interior shelf. De...
Brass
Sold
H 35.12 in W 62 in D 17.5 in
Tommi Parzinger, Buffet, Bleached Mahogany, Brass, Charak Modern, USA, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
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