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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
$3,621
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Willy Rizzo burl wood and brass square bar coffee table Alveo 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning square Alveo coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous mid-century look of other cl...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1980s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Animal Skin

Willy Rizzo Brass Framed Mirror, Italy, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Celebrated luxury furniture designer Willy Rizzo designed this beautiful brushed brass wall mirror, circa 1970. With sharp and clean lines, the piece is sleek and streamlined. The ...
Category

1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

Willy Rizzo Extendable Coffee Table With Hidden Bar, Cidue, Italy 1970's
By Cidue, Willy Rizzo
Located in Zwijndrecht, Antwerp
Spectacular Italian Coffee table designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue, circa 1970. When extended, this table contains a hidden mirrored dry bar with plenty of storage room. It features...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Metal

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

Incredible Willy Rizzo Bar Counter and Fridge
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Funky and fabulous brass bar, an absolutely dream from 1970 by the Italian designer Willy Rizzo (Naples 22 Oct 1928 -25 Feb 2013) An accomplished portrait photographer, Willy Rizzo photographed many iconic figures, including Pablo Picasso, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren. Via his work, he built up a large clientele, and expanded his horizons in the mid-1960s, designing furniture and pieces that his clients became eager to build their homes around. The bar is in brass with traces of years of use, and covered in a dusty pink velour. It contains a functional fridge and associated cupboard for storing glasses etc...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

Incredible Willy Rizzo Bar Counter and Fridge
Incredible Willy Rizzo Bar Counter and Fridge
H 34.65 in W 51.97 in D 20.08 in
Willy Rizzo large table lamp with glazed ceramic base and brass shade
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2547 Large table lamp with glazed ceramic base and brass shade made of a high quality with interior covered in fabric and profile on the base in silver ceramic. The brass shade i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo

Materials

Brass

Stunning Table-Bench set from Willy Rizzo House, Italian Design, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Milan, IT
This beautiful set is an unusual piece of furniture made of laminated wood by Willy Rizzo for his own home. Coming from the collection of actress Elsa Martinelli, Rizzo's partner in ...
Category

1960s Vintage Willy Rizzo

Materials

Wood

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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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