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.
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Set, Polished Stainless Steel & Brass, Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Willy Rizzo trays, stainless steel, brass, signed. Set of 3 polished stainless steel nesting trays with brass inlay. The graduated measurements are: 5...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,012Sale Price / set|50% Off
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Serving Pieces in Steel and Brass 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Willy Rizzo set of three nesting trays in polished stainless steel and brass, signed, from the 1970s. The graduated measurements are 5.15 inches then 7.9 inches and 10.65 i...
Brass, Steel
$710
H 2.76 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Centerpiece Serving Tray Ice Effect Lucite Nickel Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Centerpiece serving tray in ice effect Lucite and nickel frame attributed to the Italian designer Willy Rizzo, circa 1970.
Metal, Nickel
$691
H 2.37 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray Basket in Lucite, Rattan and Brass, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray Basket in Lucite, Rattan and Brass, 1970 Gorgeous serving tray or basket, in the shape of a shell, made of Lucite, rattan and brass. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Braided rattan is cast within the Lucite acrylic material. Beautiful workmanship. The brass part is kept in original vintage version, with the patina from that time. Since the shape is as a shell, the tray inside...
Brass
$686
H 1.19 in W 17.72 in D 10.63 in
Mid-Century Willy Rizzo Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century rectangular serving tray fully made in a gorgeous and vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite. This charming piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s and is att...
Metal, Brass
Ghidini 1961 Double O Tray in Stainless Steel by Richard Hutten
By Ghidini 1961, Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
As an extension of the Double-O collection of the famous champagne cooler, Richard Hutten designs the Double-O tray. A fun and essential object that brings surprise and panache to th...
Stainless Steel
$1,072
H 1.78 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Italian Serving Tray 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning midcentury serving tray in a beautiful tortoiseshell effect lucite with burl wood handles. Produced in Italy during the 1970s for a Dior Home production with a design attri...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass, Burl
$1,030
H 1.19 in W 23.23 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Large Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous midcentury large octagonal serving tray in a charming tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This incredibly stylish and unique piece was designed in Italy during the 1970...
Brass
$1,089
H 1.78 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
Dior Large Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Burl, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous large serving tray made in a charming combination of tortoiseshell-effect lucite and burl wood. This incredibly stylish and rare piece was produced in Italy during the 1970...
Lucite, Plexiglass, Burl
$828
H 12.8 in W 16.74 in D 1.19 in
Midcentury Tortoiseshell Plexiglass Italian Serving Tray after Willy Rizzo 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury piece of serveware, produced in Italy during the 1970s. It is a rectangular design attributed to Willy Rizzo for a Christian Dior production. It is iconic tor...
Metal
$1,172
H 1.19 in W 21.66 in D 17.33 in
Dior Rectangular Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century serving tray fully made in a vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite with a polished solid brass frame. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Dior Home and ...
Brass
$888
H 1.78 in W 20.87 in D 14.97 in
Serving Tray Acrylic Green Marble Effect & Chrome Willy Rizzo Style, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing serving tray rectangular Acrylic green marble effect and chrome in the style of Italian design Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
$1,066
H 1.58 in Dm 19.69 in
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with and border brass in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Brass
$864
H 1.19 in W 16.54 in D 12.6 in
Midcentury Lucite and Brass Octagonal Italian Tray, Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing Mid-Century rectangular tray in clear lucite and brass with a chrome-plated rim. This stylish piece was made in Italy during the 1970s and its design is attributed to the mas...
Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Trays Stainless Steel and Brass Signed Italy, 2000s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Willy Rizzo trays stainless steel and brass signed Italy, 2000s. Polished stainless steel nesting trays with brass inlay. Trays in graduated sizes: 5 ...
Brass, Stainless Steel