Tommi Parzinger

Tommi Parzinger was born in Munich in 1903, He studied in Germany and started designing there.  He   designed, wallpaper, fabric, interiors, books, posters as well as porcelain for the German manufacturer, KPM.  He entered a poster contest for a German cruise ship company in 1935 and won.  Part of the prize was a trip to the U.S.  This was the beginning of his interest in the U.S.  After he returned to Germany he entered another poster contest sponsored by the state.  He won but was told that he would have to join the military the next day in order to collect his prize.  He immediately went to the American Embassy to get a visitor's visa and left the country leaving everything that he owned behind.

Custom man's wardrobe 1950by Parzinger

 Once in the states he started working designing pieces of furniture, crystal and china for for Rena Rosenthal for her shop on Madison Avenue. In 1939 he started his own business.  He located his showroom on East 57th Street, and was there for most of his career.  Tommi and his partner Donald Cameron's client list included  the Fords, Rockefellers, DuPonts, Mellons and Israeli ambassador, Abba Eban.

two drawer black lacquered bedside tables by Parzinger 1950

Tommi Parzinger designed furniture for Charak Modern, Willow & Reed, Hofstatter, and Salterini. He also designed wallpaper, perfume bottles, and even packaging. His pieces have maintained their popularity today, and they are highly sort after,

X back chairs by Parzinger