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, Brass and Stainless Steel, Signed
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Executed in brass and stainless steel, the nesting trays feature a square, architectural form with stepped construction and polished contrasting surfaces. The graduated trays measure...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Vintage Tortoiseshell Lucite & Chrome Serving Tray by Willy Rizzo, Italy ca.1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Geneva, CH
Tortoise shell and chrome serving tray by Willy Rizzo made in Italy ca. 1970 Good vintage condition L 54 x D 35 x H 8 cm
Tortoise Shell
$2,038Sale 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
Willy Rizzo Drink Trays, Brass, Polished Stainless Steel, Signed
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Willy Rizzo drink trays, brass, polished stainless steel, signed. Great quality large scale handled trays in brass and polished stainless steel, perfect for entertaining. Willy Rizzo...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$699
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
$719
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
$695
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
$899
H 1.97 in W 19.49 in D 11.62 in
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo, Team Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy in the 1970s. It's an iconic tray or plate made of luc...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
$899
H 1.7 in Dm 14.18 in
Midcentury Round Serving Tray in Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury round serving tray or vide-poche in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and brass in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Brass
$911
H 1.38 in W 17.72 in D 21.66 in
Christian Dior Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Chrome Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century piece of serveware in tortoiseshell effect lucite and chrome. This stunning piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s. Its design is attributed to Willy Rizz...
Chrome
$1,084
H 1.78 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
Christian Dior Midcentury Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Italian Serving Tray 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
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
$1,102
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 Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
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
$839
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
$1,042
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
$875
H 1.19 in W 16.54 in D 12.6 in
Midcentury Lucite and Brass Octagonal Italian Tray, Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
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
$1,186
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
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Steel and Brass Signed, Italy, 2000s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Steel and Brass Signed, Italy, 2000s. Square nesting trays in polished stainless steel and brass. The set was reissued by Willy Ri...
Stainless Steel, Brass
Sold
H 0.79 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Set of Three Signed Willy Rizzo Serving Tray/Coasters, Made in Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful set of three shiny serving tray with two coasters, Made in Italy in the 1970s, designed by Willy Rizzo. The tray is signed at the backside. The material is heavy shiny chr...
Brass, Chrome