Rare Limited Production Nickel Tommi Parzinger Floor Lamp for Lightolier
View Similar Items
Rare Limited Production Nickel Tommi Parzinger Floor Lamp for Lightolier
About the Item
- Creator:Lightolier (Maker),Tommi Parzinger (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 77 in (195.58 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Nickel,Plated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:very good original condition.Mark on one of the shades- appears to be from a too hot bulb.
- Seller Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062812942781
Tommi Parzinger
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.
Lightolier
Founded in 1904 in New York and family-operated through most of its history, Lightolier was one of the pioneering American electric lighting companies, best known for its embrace of stylistic and technical innovations.
Collectors focus on vintage Lightolier lighting fixtures produced from the 1950s and into the 1970s, when an in-house design team led by Gerald Thurston — and a stellar cast of international design contributors — created an array of practical yet aesthetically lively table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and chandeliers.
Amidst the post-World War II building boom, Lightolier — the name combines “light” and “chandelier” — aggressively boosted its residential lighting division. Thurston, who was strongly influenced by the sleek designs of Gino Sarfatti and his Italian lighting firm Arteluce, towards simpler lamp designs that offered flexibility of function. His best-known designs include the Cricket task light — a lamp with an adjustable enameled metal hood that toggles on a slender bent-metal base — and the three-legged Tripod floor lamp. At the same time, Thurston had a wonderful eye for talent and sought work from some of the lesser-known greats of the era, such as Paavo Tynell, the Finnish lighting designer, who designed several brass chandeliers for Lightolier with his trademark elegant flamboyance.
And more, Thurston recognized abilities in designers not known for their work in lighting.
Edward Wormley, head of furniture design for Dunbar, produced several noteworthy chandeliers employing canisters and reflective hoods. Alvin Lustig was famed as a graphic designer. His ca. 1953 Ring ceiling fixture for Lightolier had a minimalist techno look some 30 years ahead of its time. But this was par. Designed by Michael Lax in 1964, the Lytegem high-intensity lamp — included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art — features a ball-shaped shade attached with a chromed armature to a cubic base, a form that would be widely copied in the following decade. Chandeliers designed in the early 1970s by Gaetano Sciolari, with details such as acrylic diffusers and vertical, two-bulb arms, would define the look of lighting in their day.
A look through these pages reveals just how astonishingly wide a range of lighting pieces Lightolier produced. The company never flicked off its stylistic switch.
Find a collection of vintage Lightolier lamps and other lighting fixtures on 1stDibs.
- Rare Paavo Tynell by Taito OY Whimsical Crystal and Brass ChandelierBy Taito Oy, Paavo TynellLocated in Hudson, NYFabric shade model 3380 diameter 33 inch 30 depth Finland. Wired for U.S.Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
$30,800 Sale Price20% Off - Signed Lee Rosen Design Technics Textured Glaze Ceramic Lamp w Original ShadeBy Lee Rosen, Design TechnicsLocated in Hudson, NYSigned with stamp- Lee Rosen for Design-Technics table lamp with original string shade. A striking organic, hand thrown ceramic lamp from the 1960s. Measures: Overall height with ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$1,720 Sale Price20% Off - Rare Pair Sleek Nicos Zographos Limited Leather & Stainless Steel Club ChairsBy Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.Located in Hudson, NYPair of stunning black leather Nicos Zogrophos club chairs. Priced per pair. two pair available. Nicos Zographos made his name during his time at the renown architecture firm ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Armchairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
$5,440 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Sleek Mahogany Parzinger Style Dining / Occasional Chairs by John StuartBy John Stuart Inc.Located in Hudson, NYAn elegant pair of John Stuart armchairs that could be used as dining or occasional chairs. They have the original dark mahogany almost ebony finish and serviceable original fabric. ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
$1,528 Sale Price / set45% Off - Stunning & Rare John Hutton for Donghia 'Block Island' Sofa of Wicker & MahoganyBy John Hutton, DonghiaLocated in Hudson, NYA very rare example from the limited production Block Island collection designed by John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia. The chocolate colored version is very rare- only a few were p...Category
20th Century American Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsMahogany, Cane, Wicker
$14,800 Sale Price20% Off - Tan Leather & Brushed Nickel Lounge Chairs by Fabien Baron -Bernhardt 4 AvailBy Bernhardt Design, BernhardtLocated in Hudson, NYSimply stunning 'B3' Lounge Chair designed by Fabien Baron for Bernhardt. Bernhardt has upped it game with this stunning design. These chairs were custom made with a butter soft tann...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNickel
- Rare Floor Lamp by Tommi ParzingerBy Lightolier, Tommi ParzingerLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLRare floor lamp by Tommi Parzinger for Lightolier. Six-arm, nickel-plated steel, trident-style with original shades. 1960s limited production in fantastic condition.Category
20th Century American Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Tommi Parzinger Lamp #27 Iron Floor Torchere for Parzinger Originals, 1950sBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Bridgeport, CTDesigned by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals in the 1950s. A tall iron torchiere with four faux candles in antiqued finish. The standard with shaped details on the top, middle...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsIron
- Tommi Parzinger Rare Bronze Floor Lamp with Iconic FinialBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Miami, FLA rare floor lamp by Tommi Parzinger. Slender form on a tripod base and crowned by his most iconic finial.Category
Vintage 1950s American Floor Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Vintage Tommi Parzinger Gilt Metal Floor LampBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in LOS ANGELES, CAVintage Tommi Parzinger gilt metal floor lamp Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Gold Brand: Tommi Parzinger Designer: Tommi Parzinger Period: 1960s Place of Or...Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Tommi Parzinger Floor Lamp for Parzinger OriginalsBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Pawtucket, RIWhimsical enameled steel floor lamp by Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, circa 1960. The enameling on the steel standard gives the appearance the metal is covered in silver leaf. In...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Lightolier, Floor LampBy Lightolier, Gerald ThurstonLocated in San Francisco, CAGerald Thurston floor lamp by Lightolier. Features a brass and walnut base and a perforated brass shade. Measures: 17" diameter x 64.5" height.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$2,500