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
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
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
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
$666
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
$140Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.75 in W 19 in D 8.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Stainless Steel & Walnut Serving Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice MCM stainless steel serving tray with walnut handles, circa 1960s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures 19" W x 8.25" D x 1.75" H. #1623.
Stainless Steel
$938
H 1.58 in W 23.23 in D 19.3 in
Dior Rectangular Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century serving tray fully made of vibrant tortoiseshell Lucite with a chrome frame. This incredibly elegant piece was designed by Dior Home and produced in Italy durin...
Chrome
$800
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
$457
H 1.3 in W 12.6 in D 16.54 in
Midcentury Crystal Lucite and Chrome Italian Tray in Willy Rizzo Style, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury crystal lucite and chrome tray. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1970s and it is in the style of Willy Rizzo. This centrepiece is unique as t...
Metal, Chrome
$1,143
H 2.96 in W 23.82 in D 15.95 in
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Chrome Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and chrome in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. It's ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,201
H 1.58 in W 25.2 in D 15.36 in
Mid-Century Serving Tray in Brass, Lucite and Rattan, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century large rectangular serving tray in a fantastic combination of brass, clear lucite and pressed rattan canes. This stylish and unique tray was produced in Italy d...
Brass
$903
H 1.38 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Midcentury Marble Effect Lucite and Steel Octagonal Serving Tray, Italy, 1980s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury octagonal serving tray in a stunning marble effect green lucite and chrome. This beautiful centerpiece was made in Italy in ...
Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Style Italian Plexiglass And Nickel-Plated Brass Tray
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Please kindly read the entire description, as we strive to provide you with detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our items. This refined and or...
Brass
$1,063
H 1.97 in W 20.87 in D 14.97 in
Tray Centrepiece Ice Effect Tray, Lucite Chrome Willy Rizzo Style, Italy, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Centrepiece or tray effect in plexiglass with ice effect. Attributable to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s. Measure: 53 x 38 x 5 cm in height.
Metal, Chrome
$845
H 1.19 in W 21.26 in D 16.54 in
Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior, Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray in faux tortoiseshell-effect Lucite in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. It's an iconic tray or plate made o...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
$571
H 1.58 in W 15.36 in D 9.85 in
Midcentury Serving Tray in Lucite and Chrome Willy Rizzo Style, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular serving tray in lucite ice effect and chrome in the style of Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 2.37 in W 18.51 in D 15.56 in
Willy Rizzo Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Italian Serving Tray, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous mid-century tray in a single piece of curved tortoiseshell-effect lucite and solid brass. This incredibly stylish piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s and its desig...
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