Willy Rizzo Clocks

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.

Creator: Willy Rizzo

Willy Rizzo Lumica Clock Bicolor 1970s

$1,080

Willy Rizzo Lumica Clock Bicolor 1970s

By BD Lumica, Willy Rizzo

Located in Cork, IE

This is a rare find! We are delighted to bring this glamourous 1970's cubic mantle clock designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Lumica to the market. In overall good condition wit...

Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Vintage Red Seiko Ship Wall Clock, 1970s

$305

H 3.15 in Dm 8.67 in

Vintage Red Seiko Ship Wall Clock, 1970s

By Seiko

Located in Kojetice, CZ

Vintage Seiko navy slave clock designed during the 1970s and produced till 1990s. These clocks were used on large Japanese tankers and cargo ships. It fe...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Industrial Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Iron

Vintage Blue Citizen Ships Wall Clock, 1970s

$339

H 2.37 in Dm 8.67 in

Vintage Blue Citizen Ships Wall Clock, 1970s

Located in Kojetice, CZ

Vintage Citizen navy slave clock designed during the 1970s and produced till 1990s. These clocks were used on large Japanese tankers and cargo ships. It features a light blue ( grey)...

Category

1990s Japanese Industrial Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Iron, Chrome

Peter Electric wall clock, Germany, 1970s

$329Sale Price|20% Off

H 7.88 in W 6.3 in D 1.19 in

Peter Electric wall clock, Germany, 1970s

Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna

A ceramic wall clock with 7 rubies, manufactured by the historic brand Peter Electic, in the Mid-Century/Space Age style, featuring a rounded square "television" shape typical of the...

Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Enamel

Junghaus Wall Clock 1970s "ELECTORA"

$727

H 11.03 in W 9.45 in D 2.37 in

Junghaus Wall Clock 1970s "ELECTORA"

By Junghans Uhren GmbH

Located in Antwerp, BE

Original Vintage Wall mounted clock designed in the seventies by the Manufacture Junghaus, Germany, model Electora. The clock is in original...

Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Brass

Standard Electric School Clock - 13, c. 1970s

$295

H 2 in Dm 13 in

Standard Electric School Clock - 13, c. 1970s

By Standard Electric Time Company 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wall mounted clock by Standard Electric c.1970s, USA. The clock features an aluminum frame, black and red hands and curved clear glass cover. This piece has been converted into a bat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Standard Electric School Clock - 11, c. 1970s

$295

H 2 in Dm 13 in

Standard Electric School Clock - 11, c. 1970s

By Standard Electric Time Company 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wall mounted clock by Standard Electric c.1970s, USA. The clock features an aluminum frame, black and red hands and curved clear glass cover. This piece has been converted into a bat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Standard Electric School Clock - 6, c. 1970s

$295

H 2 in Dm 13 in

Standard Electric School Clock - 6, c. 1970s

By Standard Electric Time Company 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wall mounted clock by Standard Electric c.1970s, USA. The clock features an aluminum frame, black and red hands and curved clear glass cover. This piece has been converted into a bat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Standard Electric School Clock - 3, c. 1970s

$295

H 2 in Dm 13 in

Standard Electric School Clock - 3, c. 1970s

By Standard Electric Time Company 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wall mounted clock by Standard Electric c.1970s, USA. The clock features an aluminum frame, black and red hands and curved clear glass cover. This piece has been converted into a bat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Standard Electric School Clock - 5, c. 1970s

$295

H 2 in Dm 13 in

Standard Electric School Clock - 5, c. 1970s

By Standard Electric Time Company 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wall mounted clock by Standard Electric c.1970s, USA. The clock features an aluminum frame, black and red hands and curved clear glass cover. This piece has been converted into a bat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Midcentury Table or Desk Clock, 1970s

$214

H 4.73 in W 7.88 in D 1.58 in

Rare Midcentury Table or Desk Clock, 1970s

By Memphis Milano

Located in Praha, CZ

- rare type - functional

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mantel Carriege Brass Clock by London Clock Company 1970s

$360

H 6 in W 3.75 in D 2.25 in

Vintage Mantel Carriege Brass Clock by London Clock Company 1970s

By Tiffany & Co., Cartier

Located in San Diego, CA

A refined expression of classic timekeeping, this vintage mantel clock by the London Clock Company showcases timeless elegance in a polished brass case. Its architectural form is acc...

Category

1970s English Early Victorian Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Quartz, Brass

Aluminum Wall Clock from the 1970s

$699

H 18.51 in W 13 in D 1.19 in

Aluminum Wall Clock from the 1970s

Located in Vienna, AT

Aluminum frame with battery movement. Used but still in a good condition, made in Germany in the 1970s.

Category

1970s German Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Standard Electric School Clock - 10, c. 1970s

$295

H 2 in Dm 13 in

Standard Electric School Clock - 10, c. 1970s

By Standard Electric Time Company 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wall mounted clock by Standard Electric c.1970s, USA. The clock features an aluminum frame, black and red hands and curved clear glass cover. This piece has been converted into a bat...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Industrial Office Wall Clock from Pragotron, 1970s

$339

H 1.58 in Dm 16.93 in

Industrial Office Wall Clock from Pragotron, 1970s

By Pragotron

Located in Kojetice, CZ

Pragotron PPH 413 is a type of indoor secondary clock. Was produced during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia. Clock face with white plastic numerals is made from aluminum. Diameter ...

Category

1970s Czech Industrial Vintage Willy Rizzo Clocks

Materials

Metal

1970s Handcrafted Laminated Wood Desk Clock

$325

H 7.5 in W 3.5 in D 6 in

1970s Handcrafted Laminated Wood Desk Clock

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A stunning example of 1970s studio craft, this handmade desk clock showcases the era's celebration of natural materials and artisan techniques. Crafted from alternating strips of lig...

Category

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

Materials

Teak, Walnut

Previously Available Items

1970s Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass Table Clock

Sold

H 17.72 in W 10.83 in D 4.73 in

1970s Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass Table Clock

By BD Lumica, Willy Rizzo

Located in Marbella, ES

1970s Willy Rizzo table clock designed for Lumica using chrome and brass for a gilded finish.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Willy Rizzo Clocks

Willy Rizzo clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Rizzo clocks 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 clocks, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider clocks by Solari Udine, Salimbeni, and George Sowden. Prices for Willy Rizzo clocks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,891 and can go as high as $1,891, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,891.