Domenico “Ico” Parisi was one half of a prolific postwar design duo he comprised with his wife, Luisa. Their furniture designs are known for running the stylistic gamut, with celebrated mid-century modern pieces ranging from elegantly skeletal — like dramatic ebonized dining chairs — to plush and shapely, like the iconic 1951 Egg chair, in a plethora of materials.
The son of an art teacher father, Ico Parisi was exposed to art at an early age. Born in 1916 in the Sicilian capital of Palermo, he and his family moved to Como in 1925. There, the young Parisi would begin to develop his interest in architecture and design. After earning a degree as a building inspector in 1936 and working as a civil engineer, Parisi took on an apprenticeship in the studio of Giuseppe Terragni, the modernist, fascist Italian architect, pioneer of the Rationalist movement and creator of the iconic Casa del Fascio.
While working for Terragni, Parisi crossed paths with such contemporary design talents as Lucio Fontana, Bruno Munari and Pietro Lingeri, though he briefly moved away from design and architecture to explore photography and film. His artistic work would soon be interrupted, however, by the outbreak of World War II, during which he served at the front before returning to Como in 1943. There, he resumed work as a designer and architect, founding two architecture groups: the Alta Quota and the Gruppo Como.
Through his creative circles, Parisi met Luisa Aiani, a former student of the prolific architect and furniture designer Gio Ponti, who was affiliated with the Alta Quota. They married in 1947 and founded the studio La Ruota — a cross between a design firm and an intellectual salon — in Como shortly thereafter. In 1950, Parisi finally completed his architectural schooling, studying under the nationalist architect Alberto Sartoris at the Athenaeum Architecture School in Lausanne, Switzerland. He and Aiani began several decades of sophisticated output, designing curved sofas upholstered in yellow velvet and armchairs with slender mahogany frames for enduring Italian manufacturers such as Cassina and others.
Much like Charles and Ray Eames in America, the Parisis worked as a team and relied on experimentation in style and material for many of their designs. Ico Parisi died in Como in 1996.
Find a collection of vintage Ico Parisi coffee tables, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.
Urio Wall System by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1957
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Barcelona, ES
Urio wall system in hardwood designed in 1957 by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy. Different elements including shelves, desk, chest of drawers and cupb...
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Italian Teak Wall Unit by Ico Parisi, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Teak Wall Unit by Ico Parisi, 1960s
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit Model ''Urio'' by Ico Parisi for MIM, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Wall Unit Model ''Urio'' by Ico Parisi for MIM, 1960s
Wood
Mid-Century Teak Wall Unit by Ico Parisi, Italy 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century teak wall unit by Ico Parisi - Italy 1960s.
Teak
$3,675Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 81.5 in W 42.13 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Wall Units by William Watting for Scanflex, 1960s
By William Watting, ScanFlex
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern modular two-tone wall units or shelving units. Design by William Watting for ScanFlex Holland. Striking Danish/Dutch design from the 1960s. Both wall units...
Beech, Teak
$1,744
H 31.89 in W 38.98 in D 15.75 in
Cabinet Credenza Sideboard with Sliding Door by Ico Parisi for MiM, Italy 1960s
By MIM Roma
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning small sideboard with sliding doors in wood and aluminum designed by Ico Parisi and produced by MiM Roma in Italy during the 1960s. The sideboard is signed inside. In amazin...
Metal, Aluminum
$4,800
H 72 in W 82 in D 16.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Wall Unit with Shelves & Cabinets with Desk in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Scandinavian wall unit circa 1960's. It features teak wood finish with a drop down center desk. The unit is totally modular and can arra...
Teak
$3,480Sale Price|55% Off
H 82.32 in W 39.37 in D 12.99 in
Library Shelf System Hook System by Pagani and Angelo Perversi, Italy, 1987
Located in Vienna, AT
Graphical shelf system called 'Hook System' by Pagani & Perversi, Italy 1987 Dimensions are 82.32" x 39.37" x 12.99". Very rare Library shelf system by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi...
Steel
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 68.75” L x 11” D x 79.5” H Description: A vintage oak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Freshly imported from Denmark. Comp...
Metal
Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius for Cado 1960s. Danish Mid-Century Modern 1 bay shelving system model Cado. This is a original vintage floating bookcase designed by Danis...
Rosewood
Ico Parisi, Dresser, Wood, Brass, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and brass dresser designed by Ico Parisi and produced by Colombo e Clerici, Italy, 1960s. Red staining on tabletop surface. Wear consistent with age and use. Ov...
Brass
$1,744
H 10.24 in W 59.06 in D 7.49 in
Mid-Century Modern Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s
By Wilhelm Renz, Walter Wirtz
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Mid-Century Modern wall mounted shelf. Design by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz. Striking German design from the 1960s. Nicely grained teak wood Marked with Wilhelm ...
Teak
$10,000
H 96 in W 94.75 in D 20 in
Poul Cadovius for Cado/Royal System 3-Bay Wall Unit in Brazilian Rosewood
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1960s by Poul Cadovius, this 2nd generation wall unit was produced by Cado during the same time period. Cado as a company was founded when Poul began selling his...
Glass, Rosewood
$4,536Sale Price|40% Off
H 73.04 in W 93.71 in D 16.54 in
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Poul Cadovius for Cado 3-bay rosewood wall unit manufactored by Cado We are selling this rosewood wall unit as is for a client who has owned it for many years but no longer ha...
Rosewood
$18,500
H 95.5 in W 129.25 in D 18.5 in
Comprehensive Storage System by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production 'CSS" - Comprehensive Storage System designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1959. This system is in excellent condition with the early Herman Miller lable cons...
Aluminum
Danish Modular Wall System by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Beerse, VAN
Danish modular wall system, designed by Poul Cadovius in the 1950s. It’s made of teak wood and designed to be mounted directly to the wall. Such systems became popular in the 1950s...
Teak
Mid-Century Teak Bookcase by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant Italian mid-century bookcase crafted in teak, featuring a black-lacquered metal frame with refined brass details. Designed by the renowned architect and designer Ico Parisi, ...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi, Wood and Glass, Italy, 1950s
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 16.74 in W 59.26 in D 13.78 in
20th Century Ico Parisi Brugnoli Mobili Hanging Console in Wood, 1960s
By Ico Parisi, Brugnoli Mobili Cantú
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Hanging console designed in 1960s by Ico Parisi for Brugnoli Mobili Cantù. The console is totally in wood and has 3 drawers. Therefore it can be multifunctional: you can put books, o...
Wood
Unique Ico Parisi Hang Corner Shelf in Walnut, Italy 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Unique Ico Parisi Hang Corner Shelf in Walnut from Italy 1950s. There is only one known to be made. The corner shelf has two flush drawers one that features a vertical textured effec...
Formica, Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi for MIM Rome
By Ico Parisi, Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Wall unit designed by Ico Parisi 1958 for MiM, Rome. All shelves are adjustable in height and also has moveable stands for books which are adjustable. The unit is designed to lean on...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi for MIM Rome
By Ico Parisi, Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Designed by Ico Parisi 1958 for MiM, Rome. The bookcase consists of: Three sections, shelves, a desk with drawers, two closed cabinets, a larger shelf for a TV and several bookshelv...
Aluminum
Sold
H 83 in W 158 in D 25 in
Ico Parisi Fratelli Rizzi Custom Italian Walnut Library Shelving Storage, 1958
By Fratelli Rizzi, Ico Parisi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ico Parisi Fratelli Rizzi custom Italian walnut library shelving storage, 1958. Freestanding library ‘wall unit’ shelving storage. Tripartite. with r...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 118.12 in W 117.33 in D 17.72 in
Urio Wall System by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, 1960s, Italy Bookcase
By Ico Parisi, Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Roma, IT
This bookcase with four wood feet was designed by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma.
Metal, Steel
1950s Ico Parisi Italian Rosewood Wall Unit System Model Urio for MIM
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Rosewood wall unit system model Urio designed by Ico Parisi for MIM “Mobili Italiani Moderni” in 1957, all hanging pieces are veneered with r...
Metal, Aluminum
Ico Parisi Teak Wall Unit
By Ico Parisi, Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We offer free curbside viewing of this item to the five boroughs of New York City or by appointment at our Brooklyn studio. Handsome and functional system comprised of two 9" dept...
Metal