Designer : Tommi Parzinger

Tommi Parzinger (1903 - 1981)

German born Tommi Parzinger settled in New York City in 1935 and began designing ceramics and metal pieces for Rena Rosenthal, whose fashionable shop on Madison Avenue specialized in gift items and decorative arts.  In 1938 Parzinger began designing collections for the Charak Company of Boston, a fine furniture manufacturer known for traditional styles, that was then pursuing a more modern look that would not alienate established clientele. Having studied at the famed Kunstgewerbeschule (School of Applied Arts) in Munich, then worked in Vienna and Berlin designing porcelains for the prestigious KPM or Royal Porcelain Manufacturer, Parzinger was the perfect fit.  Soon after, he found immediate success when he opened his first showroom, Parzinger Inc., in 1939. Re-christened after the war as Parzinger Originals in 1946, his showroom became a mecca for style conscious café society, and continued to supply the most discerning clientele for several decades.

Parzinger is renowned for his crisp, tailored furniture and exquisite old world craftsmanship. At a time when fine materials were becoming scarce and the machine-made was no longer so novel, Parzinger’s designs with their intense workmanship—the hand-tooled leather, ornate marquetry, customized hardware—were deeply appealing to an audience in search of deeper resonance. He created a look that offered the most refined shapes along with the barest hint of exoticism through the use of strong lacquer colors, gold or precious metal nail heads, velvet-lined drawers, and the slight flip of a slender leg encased in a brass or silver shoe.  When exotic woods were once again available, Macassar, madrone, Koko, fir chestnut, and mahogany became staples, and he constantly experimented with new finishes as well.

By 1951 Parzinger had or was soon to establish relationships with an assortment of manufacturers, including Hofstatter (furniture); Dorlyn (brass); Willow & Reed (rattan); Lightolier (lighting); Schumacher and Katzenbach & Warren (wallpaper); and Salterini (wrought iron).  He was a favorite among decorators like Billy Baldwin, and with clients such as Marilyn Monroe, and high society families like the Whitneys, the Fords, the Mellons, and the DuPonts.

Parzinger belonged to an era in American design and entrepreneurship in general when optimism and opportunities for defining new ways to be creative flourished. He strove to create pieces with a singular beauty that managed to straddle past and present, connect America and Europe, and inspire sleek modern furniture with the warmth of emotion, and he achieved nothing less.

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more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Bed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Finish > Lacquered item description : Bed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals USA c. 1950 Exceptional bed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. Highest quality craftsmanship - carved stiles and posts. Finished with signature Parzinger finials layered in gold leaf. Lacquer restored to original finish. Model 185 from the Parzinger Originals Showroom Catalog. 82H 64W 85D Mint Restored Condition item # : TMF1140 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Mahogany Cabinet by Tommi Parzinger designers : Tommi Parzinger,  Charak Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Metal > Brass,  Wood > Mahogany,  Finish > French Polish item description : Mahogany Cabinet by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, c.1950. Single drawer over a flip down door. Solid brass pulls with Parzingers' signature detailing. Beautiful hand rubbed French polish finish. A perfect side or end table. Signed with manufacturer's tag "Charak Modern". Mint restored condition. 23.5"H x 21"L x 16"D item # : TMF812 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Lacquered Console by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA item description : Lacquered Console by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals USA c. 1950 Rare, magnificent yellow lacquered console by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, c.1950. On original black lacquered base. Four doors with signature brass strapping and hardware. From an original Parzinger installation. Case stands on brass bun feet. Each door conceals an adjustable shelf. Mint restored condition. 35.25"H x 98.25"L x 22.5"D (89 H x 249 L x 58 D cm) item # : TMF889 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Pair of Cabinets by Tommi Parzinger designers : Tommi Parzinger item description : Pair of Cabinets by Tommi Parzinger USA c. 1950 Pair of Cabinets by Tommi Parzinger. Doors open to reveal 4 pull out drawers in each cabinet. Finished in a black lacquered, hand rubbed French polish.   Excellent condition 38 H 47 L 21 D each price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Mahogany Occasional Table by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Finish > Lacquered,  Wood > Mahogany item description : Mahogany Occasional Table by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals USA c. 1950          Beautiful mahogany occasional table by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals. Graceful tapering saber legs, with one shelf. Finished with an ivory lacquer top. Signed with burned in mark, “Parzinger Originals”.   Very good original condition             24 h  32 w  32 d item # : TMF973 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Square Mirror by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Mirror item description : Unusual square beveled mirror with canted corners by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, c.1950. Square beveled mirror set in a frame composed of triangular beveled mirrors. Mounted on a silvered frame. Excellent original condition. 37.5"H x 37.5"L x 2.5"D item # : TMF794 price : $7,200.00
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Brass Sconce by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Metal > Brass,  Glass > Crystal item description : Large two arm sconce in brass by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, c.1950. Original shades, three strands of crystal beads. From original owners interior designed by Parzinger. Excellent original condition. 36"H x 22"L x 8"D   item # : TML282 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Gentlemen's Dresser by Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Metal > Brass,  Wood > Mahogany,  Wood > Elm item description : Dresser by Tommi Parzinger, c.1950. Case in bleached elm, front doors with large diamond pattern inlayed with mahogany banding and diamonds Classic, oversize brass Parzinger handles. Doors open to reveal five pull-out drawers all fantastically divided. Signed with burned in mark, "Parzinger Originals". Excellent original condition. 56"H x 42"L x 18"D item # : TMF723 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Mirror by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Mirror item description : Magnificent beveled mirror by Tommi Parzinger, model # 208 from Parzinger Originals catalog, c. 1950. Geometric beveled mirrors surround a central beveled mirror, all mounted on a substantial frame. Exquisite craftsmanship. Excellent original condition. 28.5"H x 24"L item # : TMF705 price : $8,500.00
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Floor Lamp by Tommi Parzinger designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Technique > Gilded item description : USA c 1950 Gilt wrought iron floor lamp by Tommi Parzinger. Beautiful four light lamp on four-legged base. Excellent original condition. 74"H item # : TML255 price : Request Price
more pictures   print item   send item by email	item name : Floating Shelves by Tommi Parzinger (2 available) designers : Tommi Parzinger Era : Circa 1950's Country of Origin : USA Materials : Wood > Walnut item description : A set of two richly grained walnut floating shelves by Tommi Parzinger, each with exceptional  curved cut-out ends and flaired edges.  From an original Parzinger designed New York apartment. Can be mounted as shelves or used individually as floating consoles. 4"H (at back) - 1"W (at front) x 51.5"L x 9"D item # : TMF602 price : $3,500.00 each (2 available)