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Willy Rizzo

Italian, 1928-2013

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.

Average Sold Price
$4,041
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Postmodern Modular Sofa in Cognac Suede
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, suede, Europe, 1970s. This grand modular sofa, crafted in the 1970s, is upholstered in luxurious warm cognac suede. It consists of seven elements, including four corn...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Suede

Postmodern Modular Sofa in Cognac Suede
Postmodern Modular Sofa in Cognac Suede
H 26.38 in W 128.75 in D 98.43 in
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in Green Velvet
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, Kvadrat Harald 3 - 0952, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in White Upholstery
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, fabric, ultrasuede, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo and consists of a three-seater, two-seater, a...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Fabric, Ultrasuede, Wood

Superb Pair of Suede Willy Rizzo Lounge Chairs, Signed Studio Willy Rizzo, 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Extremely rare pair of signed Willy Rizzo lounge chairs finished in suede with stainless steel bases. These are very early examples which were produced by the 'Studio Willy Rizzo' in Rome in 1969, recognised by the Willy Rizzo signature in the fabric. Original Signed early period Willy Rizzo lounge chairs are very rare, 95% of the output of this design were produced as either two, three or four-seat sofas and the individual lounge chairs are very rarely seen on the market today. This iconic design featured prominently in the prestigious Italian design periodical 'Casa Vogue' throughout the early to mid-1970s including a feature on Rizzo ad Elsa Martinelli's own home in St Tropez, France in the October 1974 issue which illustrates this design. Please see image 4. These rare chairs have had their upholstery completely renovated including new seat support strapping, new foam and suede upholstery to the original specifications. The Willy Rizzo signatures from the original upholstery have been carefully cut from the original worn fabric and sown to the underside of each chair to maintain the authenticity. Photos of the restoration process are available on request. Please see image 10 as an example. Literature:- CASA VOGUE, October 1974 (features this design in the home of Elsa Martinelli and Willy Rizzo in St Tropez,France). See image 4 CASA VOGUE , JUNE 1975 CASA VOGUE, September 1975, Please see IMAGE 9 CASA VOGUE, November 1976, Please see IMAGE 8 Willy Rizzo is best known as a photographer. He began his illustrious 20 year career with Paris Match in 1948 which lead to him photographing some of the greatest names of the period. Rizzo was married to italian actress Elsa Martinelli,which gave him unparalleled access to the star names of the period and his cornucopia of sitters would include among others Brigitte Bardot, Sofia Loren...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Stainless Steel

Willy Rizzo Coffee Table 'TRG', Red Lacquer and Brass, Italy, 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Regensburg, DE
Vintage designer Coffee-, Sofa- or Lounge Table in red and black lacquer and brass by Willy Rizzo from Italy, 1969. Round body with half moon shaped top. New lacquer finish in the or...
Category

1960s Italian Industrial Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

Rotating coffee table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare rotating coffee table in lacquered wood and gilt brass by Willy Rizzo, France circa 1970’s. Special order.
Category

1970s French Space Age Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

Rotating coffee table
Rotating coffee table
H 14.18 in Dm 44.89 in
Coffee Table "TGR" by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Lasne, BE
Coffee table in wood and metal. The coffee table turns on itself. Designed by Willy Rizzo. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table. For shipping, request us for receive the best...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Metal

"Alveo" by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Burlwood, Brass Rectangular Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Not a fake or reproduction like many others Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Mid Century Modern "Alveo" rectangular coffee table in Burlwood and brass. The recessed base creates the im...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

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Willy Rizzo furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Rizzo furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Willy Rizzo furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Willy Rizzo were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Romeo Rega, Gianfranco Frattini, and Ico Parisi. Prices for Willy Rizzo furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $300 and can go as high as $29,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,639.

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