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 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
Hollywood Regency 12 Dresser by Tommi Parzinger for Charak circa 1940's TP - 104
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, rare, voguish, and chic twelve drawer dresser designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak, circa 1940's. The cabinet features a mahogany case in original blonde finish, with ...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Six Drawer Dresser in Pickled Oak
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare six drawer dresser by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern ca' 1950's. From original owner. Pickled oak with original, polished and laquered hardware. This piece is elegant and l...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Mid-Century Modern Chests in Cerused Mahogany
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury classic chest of drawers featuring cerused mahogany cases and matte eggshell lacquer drawer front with satin brass button pulls and...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Tall Chest or Dresser for Charak Modern
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
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 Maple & Mahogany Dresser Chest Credenza
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals Maple & Mahogany Dresser Chest Credenza. Item features six dovetail constructed drawers, mahogany plinth, brass Parzinger hardware and inlaid ...
Mahogany, Maple
Tommi Parzinger for Charak, 6 Drawer Dresser in Walnut with Solid Brass Pulls
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Wilton, CT
Tommi Parzinger designed this walnut dresser for Charak Modern in 1938 (right before opening his own design studio Parzinger in 1939). His MCM pieces are highly sought after as his f...
Brass
$45,000
Tommi Parzinger Armoire
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extraordinary example from Tommi Parzinger. In 1951 Tommi Parzinger established a relationship with Hofstatter and Sons. Hofstatter manufactured furniture and had a branch devoted to interior design. The armoire (1 of 2 manufactured) was a commission for Cielito Lindo, the Woolworth Family home in Palm Beach. The two armoires...
Wood
Custom Tommi Parzinger Mahogany Chests with Brass Pulls, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Custom ordered pair chest of drawers in solid mahogany with iconic brass pulls all designed by Tommi Parzinger/Parzinger originals. Each chest ha...
Brass
Oak Parquetry Six Drawer Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A light oak parquetry six-drawer dresser in dawn finish. This beautiful hand-carved oak dresser includes six drawers with mirrored herringbone starburst ...
Wood
6-Drawer Silver Trim Mirrored Dresser
Located in New York, NY
Custom 6-drawer silver trim mirrored dresser with Lucite knobs. Customization is available in different sizes, finishes, and hardware.
Silver Leaf
Mid Century 9 Drawer Dresser
By Jan Kuypers
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional nine drawer dresser, of solid teak wood construction, in clean original vintage condition. This exceptional dresser was designed by Jan Kuypers for Imperial...
Walnut
$2,800
H 40.16 in W 19.69 in D 15.36 in
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Tall Boy Dresser, Hand-Crafted, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rattan woven wicker six-drawer tall boy dresser or slim chest of drawers. Spain, 1960s This beautiful rattan dresser has a bamboo and rattan struct...
Wicker, Rattan
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
George III Mahogany Chest in Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Fine George II figured mahogany chest on chest with a carved dental molded top cornice, the top section with two split drawers over three graduated drawers, canted and fluted corne...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern American Walnut Tall Skinny Lingerie Chest Dresser
By George Nelson, John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern American walnut skinny tall and narrow unusual shape dresser high chest.
Walnut
1950s Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Chest of Drawers
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
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
$4,800
H 34.5 in W 46 in D 19 in
1930s Art Deco Brazilian Rosewood Six-Drawer Dresser by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Art Deco Brazilian rosewood six-drawer dresser designed by Gilbert Rohde,, Amazing quality and design, slightly bowed front design. Features six generous size drawers with simp...
Nickel
Mid-Century Tommi Parzinger Sideboard Cabinet
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
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
$27,800
H 35.25 in W 62 in D 20 in
Tommi Parzinger Bar Cabinet Lacquered in White Chocolate with Polished Brass
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet attributed to Tommi Parzinger newly lacquered in white chocolate with polished original adorning brass hardware. Fully restored from top to bo...
Brass
Vintage Lacquered and Brass Modernist Dresser, 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Step into the world of refined modernism with this exceptional 1980s mid-century dresser, a testament to the artistry and ingenuity of American craftsmanship. Every line and surface ...
Brass
$12,000 / set
H 32 in W 48 in D 19.5 in
Tommi Parzinger Style, Mid-Century Modern, Cabinets, White Paint, Bronze
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Stamford, CT
Tommi Parzinger Style, Mid-Century Modern, Cabinets or Nightstands, Black Lacquer, Bronze Pair of dove white painted cabinets or chest of drawers having solid bronze rectangular dra...
Bronze
Hollywood Regency Ebonized Tall Dresser
Located in Pasadena, TX
Hollywood Regency Dresser Tall 5 drawer ebonized dresser with Greek key details. Recessed pulls and tapered legs accented in gold. Restored.
Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 36 in D 16.5 in
Tommi Parzinger x Charak Modern Dressers, Mahogany & Leather, Circa 1950
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Chest of Drawers, circa 1950, mahogany with burnt orange leather wrapped drawers and brass hardware, marked "Charak Modern" to interior top ...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
'Parzginer Originals' Mahogany & Brass Dresser by Tommi Parzinger c 1959, Signed
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite work of art is by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, circa 1959, signed 'Parzinger Originals' in one drawer interior. Effortlessly refined, this versatile brass...
Brass
Sold
H 56 in W 37.5 in D 19 in
Tommi Parzinger For Charak Furniture Tall Two Piece Chest on Chest Dresser
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
2 piece. Lacquer finish. Lucite handles. Top piece has 2 doors containing 3 drawers. Top piece measures 23 1/8" h x 37 3/4" w x 18 5/8" d. Bottom piece has 3 dovetailed drawers. Bott...
Lucite, Walnut
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Dresser
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Astoria, NY
Tommi Parzinger (German, 1903-1981) for Charak Modern ebonized and parcel gilt dresser with partial Charak Modern label intact inside drawer, rectangular with six drawers with distin...
Wood, Giltwood
Tommi Parzinger Chest of Drawers for Parzinger Originals
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A large eight drawer dresser in original blue lacquer by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals.
Lacquer
Leather Front Chest of Drawers by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Tooled leather, mahogany and brass. 4-drawer dresser designed for Charak Modern. Makers label attached inside drawer.
Brass
Sold
H 33 in W 50 in D 17.63 in
Tommi Parzinger John Cameron Elegant Fluted 3 Drawer Dresser Etched Brass Pulls
By John Cameron, Palumbo, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Hudson, NY
This is a rare Tommi Parzinger / John Cameron fluted commode with incised brass handles from the 2000s. This line was the brainchild of Patricia Palumbo in collaboration with Parzing...
Steel
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, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.25 in W 77 in D 17.75 in
Tommi Parzinger Mid-Century Mahogany Dresser, Six Drawers, USA, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular mid-century Mahogany dresser designed by Tommi Parzinger. Dresser has 6 ample drawers with brushed brass engraved pulls and carved and gil...
Mahogany
Tommi Parzinger Charak Modern Four Drawer Chest, Circa 1950
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Rochester, NY
Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, Boston Ma. - four drawer chest / dresser in original bleached mahogany, tooled leather drawer fronts / brass h...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Chest, in Your Choice of Color
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant mid century chest, designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, American, circa 1950s. This piece is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of color...
Metal, Brass
Tommi Parzinger Mid-Century Modern Studded Dressers
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Astoria, NY
Tommi Parzinger Mid-Century Modern pair of off-white lacquered and brass-studded dressers or bedside tables with brass handles and opaque white glass t...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Chest of Drawers
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Dallas, TX
Six-drawer chest, designed by Tommi Parzinger, circa 1948. Produced in Boston, Massachusetts by Charak Furniture Company. Charak, was at one point, one of the finest furniture makers...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Rare 6 Drawer Dresser
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1970s long 6 drawer dresser by Tommi Parzinger with brass hardware. Fully restored.
Brass
Highboy Chest of Drawers by Tommi Parzinger
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Rare Tommi Parzinger highboy featuring the original greyed wood finish along with the handmade polished brass hardware. This is part of the original collection released by Charak Mod...
Brass