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Willy Rizzo Serving Pieces

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.

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Creator: Willy Rizzo
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays, Brass and Stainless Steel, Signed
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays, Brass and Stainless Steel, Signed

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...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Willy Rizzo Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Vintage Tortoiseshell Lucite & Chrome Serving Tray by Willy Rizzo, Italy ca.1970
Vintage Tortoiseshell Lucite & Chrome Serving Tray by Willy Rizzo, Italy ca.1970

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

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Serving Pieces

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Serving Pieces in Steel and Brass 1970s
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Serving Pieces in Steel and Brass 1970s

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...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Steel

Willy Rizzo Drink Trays, Brass, Polished Stainless Steel, Signed
Willy Rizzo Drink Trays, Brass, Polished Stainless Steel, Signed

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...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Willy Rizzo Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

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Previously Available Items
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Willy Rizzo serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Rizzo serving pieces 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 serving pieces, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original serving pieces by Willy Rizzo were created in the modern style in italy during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider serving pieces by Guzzini, Antonia Campi, and Sabattini Argenteria. Prices for Willy Rizzo serving pieces can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $650 and can go as high as $5,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,781.