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.
14 pc. Art Deco Heisey Stanhope Dessert Set Designed by Walter Von Nessen 1930's
By Walter Von Nessen, Heisey Glass Company
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Art Deco, Machine Age, Hollywood Regency style dessert set designed by Walter Von Nessen, for Heisey, as part of the hard to find Stanhope series. The seat is in excellen...
Glass, Plastic
Scandinavian Mid Century Modern Serving Set Nuutajarvi Notsjo Finland c 1950/60s
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ
Located in New York, NY
Rare Scandinavian Mid Century Modern serving dish, made in Finland by Nuutajarvi Notsjo, circa 1950's. The dish includes a solid teak base with two original tinted glass serving bow...
Smoked Glass, Wood
Silver Plate Urn Form Vase by Tommi Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and possibly unique vase by Tommi Parzinger, this example is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear normal and consistent with age.
Silver Plate
17 Pc. Set of Mid Century Ceramic Serve Ware Cantelope Form Att. to Ed Langbein
By Ed Langbein
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic set of mid century ceramic bowls, and plates, in the form of Cantelopes. The set consists of: 1 ) Large Covered Serving Bow...
Ceramic
Large 82 Pc. Set of Silver Band Stemware Att. to Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
Incredible complete set of silver band glassware, almost impossible to find this intact. The set consists of 9 sizes, with a total of 82 pieces. 12 Cordials 4.25 Height x 1.75 Diameter. 14 Large Wines 7.5 Height x 4 Diameter. 8 Brandy Glasses...
Silver Leaf
Glass and Pewter Wine Decanter att. to Jean Goadere
By Sheffield
Located in New York, NY
Chic glass and pewter six sided wine decanter, attributed to Jean Goadere, unsigned. The lower section is clear glass, the upper sectional is pewter. This example is in very good, ...
Pewter
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Tea Service/Chaffing Set, 1960
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chicago, IL
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Tea Service/Chaffing Set, 1960. Beautiful brass patina all original. Measurements: Tea pot 14.75" tall on burner, total height of tea pot 11....
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Nickel-Plated Coffee or Tea Set
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in St. Louis, MO
A coffee or tea serving set designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths. This set is made of heavy brass, and has been newly plated in a nickel finish. It consists of a pitch...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Brass Coffee & Tea Service
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in Hanover, MA
Four piece coffee/tea service in solid brass designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths circa 1950, distributed by Vincent Lippe Co. This is the earliest version with the distinctively ornate thistle finials on the fitted lids. Set includes large and small lidded carafes, lidded sugar container and 12" diameter round tray. All marked: Made by Dorlyn Silversmiths and a conjoined "RP" in which the "R" is reversed. The 'R' here in the mark probably refers to Otto Rasmussen...
Brass
Gio Ponti Set Coffe Service
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
A Gio Ponti set of coffe and tea service from the Hotel Parco dei Principi In Roma ; six pieces; in alpacca by Calderoni Argenteria stamped logo PDP. Sold with a letter of authenti...
Pewter Tea & Coffee Set by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Pewter Tea & Coffee Pots with Sugar Jar & Creamer made by Just Andersen in the 1930s. * Set (4) of pewter tea & coffee pots with sugar jar & creamer. All with chasings at t...
Pewter
Italian Art Deco Silver-Plated Tea and Coffee Service by Krupp Milano, 1940s
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Arthur Krupp
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant Italian Art Deco tea and coffee service produced by Krupp Milano in the 1940s. This refined five-piece set is executed in silver-plated metal and features a clean, modernist ...
Silver Plate
