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.
Bamboo Italian Mirror Wavy Mid century
Located in New York, NY
Italian made to order Bamboo Mirror, perfect for any Decor. In the manner of Gabriella Crespi. Made by artisans in Italy, Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Paulin...
Bamboo
Vivia Del Sud Style Palm Floor Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Palm Mirror, Made in Italy
Rattan, Mirror
1970s Suede Wrapped Rectangular Frame Mirror
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
70’s Suede wrapped rectangular frame mirror L 35 x H 54 x D 2 in Mirror L 26 in
Suede
French Jansen Style Verre Eglomise Mirror with Beautiful Border, France
Located in New York, NY
Incredible verre eglomise mirror, with beautiful border. In lovely vintage condition. Imported from France. Same era as: Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand, Maurice Dufrene, Jacques Adnet, Dupr...
Glass
Italian Bamboo and Mirror Vanity
Located in New York, NY
Chic bamboo vanity crafted in Italy. Quality seen in the photos. The mirror is brass. There is a drawer in the front. Perfect entry table or room/bathroom vanity. In the manner of Ga...
Brass
Pier Luigi Colli Oak Buffet Mirror Sideboard, Midcentury, Italy, 1940s-1950s
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in New York, NY
Pier luigi Colli oak sideboard, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1950s Beautiful oak sideboard. The oak has lovely patina throughout the piece. It is a large-scale sideboard with four doors and architectural details throughout. Amazing oak grain visible throughout the piece. Smoked glass mirrors cover the front doors. The piece is in original vintage condition. Measures: 19 inches deep 93 inches wide 33 inches high Hays Company/Pier Luigi Colli The firm was founded in Turin in 1850, as a laboratory that embroidered for the upholstery of armchairs and sofas. The manufactory collaborated with the Martinotti and C.ia furniture manufacturer, Giuseppe and then Luigi Martinotti, who since 1831 produced luxury furniture in style and from the end of the century in the most up-to-date liberty style. At the death of Federico Martinotti, the last male descendant of the family, in the twenties, the widow gave way to Teresa and Maria Colli and the two companies reunited, assuming the name "Colli da 1831" (with the date they referred To the foundation of the firm Martinotti). Then came Pier Luigi Colli (1895-1968), younger brother of the two holders who had attended the courses of the École des arts décoratifs. Pier Luigi Colli, thanks to his close relationship with Paris, imported Lalique glasses and Jean Perzel decor lamps in Turin. The company took care of the real train setup, built by Fiat Ferroviaria and the technical office, led by Pier Luigi Colli, designed and produced the chairs of the Magna University of Turin and the furniture of the Turin seat of the Bank Italy and the Prefecture. In addition to the furniture, the company produced embroidery for coverings and curtains, carpets, lamps with Seguso glasses, door locks and door handles. The company also carried out works designed by external architects: Gio Ponti (partition walls and windows in the Turin headquarters of Vembi), Giovanni Gariboldi (furnishings for the Richard Ginori showroom in Rome), Carlo Mollino (railing of the RAI auditorium and window frames Of the Royal Theater), Domenico Morelli (furniture of the Rai skyscraper); Gabetti and Isola (neoliberty furniture on the stock exchange) Aldo Morbelli (furniture of Fasano jewelery in Via Roma...
Oak
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s Ignazio Gardella (born March 30, 1905, Milan–died March 16, 1999, Oleggio, Italy) was an Italian architect, engineer, a...
Wood
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s
By Ignazio Gardella
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s
Glass, Wood
Iconic Wall Mirror by ico Parisi for MIM Mod. Paraggi
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic Wall Mirror by Ico Parisi for MIM, Model "Paraggi" (1958) This exceptional wall mirror, designed by the renowned Italian architect and designer Ico Parisi for MIM, epitomizes...
String, Mirror, Wood
Three-Panel Double Sided Mirror with Brass Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brass frame door hanging mirror with three panels. Can open to three mirrors, or close to a single mirror. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - w...
Mirror
Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirror, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern Rectangular Wall Mirror in the style of Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1960. The mirror features an original design with the central mirror plate delic...
Brass, Steel
Large Tommi Parzinger Mirror
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Large Tommi Parzinger mirror. This mirror is divided into nine sections with deep etching. Tommi Parzinger originals. Giltwood frame with brass ...
Brass
