Renowned Italian furniture designer Willy Rizzo is celebrated for having produced eye-catching, sensational showpieces that merged plush fabrics with wood, metal and glass. Influenced by European modernists and drawing on the spare forms and clean lines of the American mid-century modern style, Rizzo prized functionality and simplicity in his dazzling work.
Born in Naples, Rizzo never intended on designing furniture. Instead, he began pursuing photography at the age of 12. By the 1960s, he had become a notable photographer, having captured images of such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire and Spanish artist Salvador Dalí. His experience with furniture design came about inadvertently when he moved to Rome in 1966. There, Rizzo rented an apartment with his wife Elsa that he described as "practically uninhabitable." Dissatisfied with the Scandinavian furniture options on offer, Rizzo built sofas, coffee tables and other furniture to suit the space's strong modern vibe. When his friends saw what he had accomplished, they were enamored by his furniture creations and commissioned him to build similar items for them.
The demand for Rizzo’s furniture grew from there. He established a production facility and workshop in Tivoli, just outside of Rome, which grew to house over 150 employees. There, finding inspiration in the work of iconic architects including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, he created more than 30 unique furniture designs. Over the years he opened boutiques around the world to showcase and sell his furniture.
Rizzo prided himself on seamlessly blending the contemporary with the classic. “It was about creating something new for a traditional setting,” he said of his work. From his sleek sideboards to his low-profile side tables, elegant chairs and entire living room sets, Rizzo's style sensibility is evident throughout every detail of his designs.
Rizzo sold his company in 1978 and returned to photography. However, the presence of his furniture resonated into the new century and is sure to impact interior décor enthusiasts into the next. Over the years, high-profile collectors of Rizzo’s work have included French actress Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dalí and American musician Lenny Kravitz.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Willy Rizzo tables, lighting, seating and storage pieces.
Divano Super C di Willy Rizzo modulare in pelle di cinghiale 6 moduli
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Ghedi, IT
Prodotta dall’Atelier Willy Rizzo, questa composizione modulare incarna lo stile sofisticato e glamour tipico del designer italiano, noto per i suoi arredi che fondono linee pulite c...
Leather
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
Fabric
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Selection of Willy Rizzo sofas available, we can restore, choose your own fabric.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This iconic sofa was designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969 and is published in many of the interior design journals of the period. This design was illustrated in Casa Vogue's feature on Rizzo's own home in St Tropez,France in their October 1974 issue. The sofa is finished in brown suede. We have a further selection of these Willy Rizzo sofas...
Suede, Wood
Italian modern Beige fabric Modular sofa by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s
By Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Beige fabric Modular sofa by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s Modular and corner sofa, fully padded and covered in brown-beige linen fabric. The sofa is composed of 3 simp...
Fabric
$22,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
Willy Rizzo Super C Sofa Set with Wood Base and Ultra-suede Upholstery, 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This modular sofa set designed by Willy Rizzo features one three-seater module and two single-seat modules, upholstered with camel ultra-suede. The modular aspect of Rizzo’s design a...
Ultrasuede, Wood
$8,583 / set
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern, set of 6 Willy Rizzo chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern, Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s.
Leather, Wood
Modular Sofa " Sistema 61" by Giancarlo Piretti, Italy, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Brussels, BE
Modular Sofa " Sistema 61" by Giancarlo Piretti, Italy, 1970s Dimensions on the listing are for one of the possible configurations. This sofa is modular. Dimensions : 62*62*38.5h...
Fabric
$1,982
H 35.44 in W 77.56 in D 34.85 in
LUXURY VIVA ITALIAN DESIGNER TAN LEATHER 3 SEATER SOFA ARMCHAiR ALSO AVAILABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this luxury Viva Italian designer tan leather 3 seater sofa. A stunning designer collection with boastful proportions. ...
Leather
$29,000 / set
H 33.47 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
1970s Mario Bellini 5-Piece Bambole Sofa Set for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless Organic Modern elegance of the original 1970s Le Bambole Italian sofa set with beige woven wool upholstery in superb condition. A Mid-Century Modern Italian masterpiece by the renowned Italian designer Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia. It was an instant success on launch in 1971. Today, it commands an extreme desirability as it's timeless playful aesthetic fits so well with both period and contemporary interiors. This vintage collection combines luxurious comfort, captivating aesthetics, and a rich history. Crafted with utmost precision, the set consists of three armchairs, one corner armchair, and one ottoman...
Wool, Upholstery
$19,670
H 29.93 in W 90.56 in D 39.38 in
Le Bambole 3-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in amstelveen, NL
An exceptional and highly collectible “Le Bambole” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, one of the most celebrated icons of 20th-century Italian design. This authentic vint...
Cotton
$8,203
H 31.7 in W 58.08 in D 37.01 in
Circa 1920 Art Deco Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Sofa Part Suite
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this exquisite original circa 1920’s Art Deco fully restored Chesterfield club sofa which is part of a suite This sofa is very stylish, it has those Metr...
Leather
$16,407 / set
H 29.34 in W 73.04 in D 34.65 in
Restored Bordeaux Leather Chesterfield Club Suite Armchair & Sofa on Turned Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very rare handmade in England fully restored Bordeaux leather Gentleman's club suite with hand turned legs ...
Leather, Beech
$14,246
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Le Bambole 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s, reupholstered
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
The Bambole series stands as one of the defining statements of Italian design in the 1970s—an object that treats seating not as a frame with padding, but as a continuous upholstered...
Leather
$3,218 / set
H 33.47 in W 22.45 in D 37.01 in
1970s Mid-Century Italian Modular Sofa in Original Beige Corduroy Fabric
Located in Berlin, DE
A stylish Mid-Century Italian modular sofa from around 1970, retaining its original beige cord fabric. The design reflects the era’s fascination with organic forms and comfort, featu...
Fabric, Pine, Plywood
$2,682
H 28.75 in W 61.03 in D 28.75 in
Mario Bellini "Tentazione" Leather Sofa or Loveseat for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in The Hague, NL
This lounge two-seat sofa or loveseat designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina manufacture in 1970s period, Italy. Model No: 685, Creme color leather original upholstery, steel frame ...
Steel
Willy Rizzo Square Pouf in Cow Skin
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
Rizzo loved the simplicity and purity of Rationalism and was heavily inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic. Informed by his photographer’s eye, he sought visual harmony of shapes and mat...
Animal Skin
Contemporary Sofa with Solid Wood Base and Brass Details
By Laura Noriega
Located in Guadalajara, Jal.
"Prado" sofa is inspired by the layers of colors and very well defined materials of the valleys of Western Mexico where the small metallic details recall the sunlight at sunset light...
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 118.12 in D 118.12 in
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in Cognac Suede
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, suede, Italy, 1970s. Grand modular corner sofa by Italian designer Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. This sofa is executed in beaut...
Suede
Sold
H 31.5 in W 55.12 in D 39.38 in
Sofa "Super C" in boar leather by Willy Rizzo for Maison Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary Super C sofa, a design icon of the 1970s designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by the prestigious house of the same name. An incredible piece testimony to an era charact...
Animal Skin
Sold
H 29.34 in W 130.32 in D 106.3 in
Italian Space Age Modular Sofa in Green Fabric by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Modular sofa in green fabric by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s Corner sofa upholstered and covered in forest green coarse-grain...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 129.93 in D 102.37 in
Rare Vintage Sofa in Black Leather and Laminated Signed Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Isle Sur Sorgue, FR
Rare vintage sofa in black leather and laminate composed of 5 low chairs and a corner module, all signed Willy Rizzo.
Leather
Sold
H 27.96 in W 94.49 in D 94.49 in
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Set by Willy Rizzo, Suede, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Modular sofa set by Willy Rizzo, Suede, Italy, 1970s.
Suede
Sold
H 29 in W 92 in D 40 in
Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Modern Sofa in Brown Strié Velvet, circa 2010s, Signed
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly stylish and elegant sofa is by Willy Rizzo and signed on one leg with Rizzo's signature. Featuring gorgeous strié velvet in a luscious brown color with contrasting yellow undertones. A bit of James Mont chinoiserie style mixed with 70s Italian modern flair that Rizzo was known for. Produced in recent years, this sofa has had very little use and looks almost new aside from the very light use only noticeable upon close inspection. Ready for immediate use for those who wish to avoid the incredibly long lead times - not to mention shipping from overseas. Get this large Willy Rizzo sofa...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 137.8 in D 114.18 in
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Set by Willy Rizzo, Suede, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern modular sofa set by Willy Rizzo, Suede, Italy, 1970s New suede upholstery.
Suede
Sold
H 31.5 in W 82.68 in D 43.31 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Suede Living Room Set by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Prato, IT
Extremely rare living set by Willy Rizzo finished in suede with wood laquer bases. The set consists in 1 sofa and 2 armchairs. This iconic design featured prominently in the prestigi...
Suede, Wood
Willy Rizzo Large Curved Sectional Sofa, Italy, 1960
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Rizzo large curved sectional sofa, Italy, 1960 Two pieces.
Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Sofa
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Willy Rizzo studio sofa featuring a metallic base with newly upholstered blue velvet cushions.