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.
$2,549Sale Price|20% Off
Elm burl veneer and chrome square mirror by Willy Rizzo. Circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice design square mirror. is made of Elm burl veneer and chrome. This is an Italian work by famous designer Willy Rizzo. Circa 1970
Chrome
1970 Mirror by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970 mirror by Willy Rizzo The edge of the mirror is made of chrome and brushed steel, the frame is covered with iridescent midnight blue lacquer plates, dotted with gold. In the ce...
Chrome
Willy Rizzo Brushed Brass Wall Mirror, Italy, Modern, Circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Celebrated luxury furniture designer Willy Rizzo designed this beautiful brushed brass wall mirror, circa 1970. With sharp and clean lines, ...
Brass
$2,139Sale Price|60% Off
H 39.38 in W 36.62 in D 0.6 in
Organic Modern Wall Mirror in Brushed Brass, In Stock
By João Faria, EMOTIONAL OBJECTS
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
Inspired by the Sacred Ceiba trees of Havana, this sculptural mirror by Joao Faria brings an organic, architectural character to contemporary interiors. It combines a substantial han...
Metal, Brass
Renato Zevi Italian Brass and Chrome Mirrors 1970's
By Romeo Rega
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Stunning Italian Brass and Chrome Mirrors in the manner of Romeo Rega. Brass banding surrounds a thick pillowed chrome frame. Wonderful classic contrasting. Curbside to NYC/Philly $400
Brass, Steel
Brass Wall Mirror Large, Italy, circa 1955
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 53" brass wall mirror, Italy, mid-century Large Italian wall mirror with a minimal brass frame. Elegant and large wall mirror with a slender brass frame and patina to the fr...
Brass
$1,798 / item
H 24.41 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Modern Wall Mirror Lake 4 with Brushed Brass Base by Noom
By NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
"Lakes" is a nature-inspired collection of sculptural mirrors designed by French designers Maryna Dague and Nathan Baraness. The collection takes its name from the shorelines of lake...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainle...
1970s Chrome Mirror by Curtis Jeré for Artisan House
By Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A chrome round mirror designed by Curtis Jeré for Artisan House in the 1970s. It's not signed but it retains the Artisan House tag on th...
Chrome
Italian brass wall mirror, circa 1970s.
Located in London, London
An Italian brass wall mirror, circa 1970s. The mirror is distinguished by its elongated, sculptural form with softly undulating contours, framed by a slender brass surround that fol...
Brass
$728Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 21.26 in D 0.99 in
Willy Rizzo in the Style Mirror with Brass and Briar Frame
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bari, IT
A typical italian mirror in the seventies Willy Rizzo style mirror with brass and briar wood frame.
Brass
Pair of Italian Mirrors, 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Italian wooden mirrors made in the 70s. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Glass, Wood
$1,201Sale Price|62% Off
H 42.52 in W 30.71 in D 0.79 in
Wall Mirror Italian 1970 Crystals Brass Bevelled
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Particular mirror Italian 1970 crystals Brass bevelled, Produced in Poggibonsi, totally handicrafts in the seventies, as of the original old label.
Crystal, Brass
Mirror Etched Brass by Willy Daro
By Willy Daro
Located in New York, NY
Etched brass mirror by Willy Daro, inlay by three agates.
Stone, Brass
$1,764
H 17.72 in W 13.78 in D 0.99 in
Antique French Oval Mirror, Painted Wood-effect Decor Elm Burl, circa 1920
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French oval mirror dating from the 1920s, with painted decoration imitating light elm wood, as well as gold beads and rosaries around the glass mirror. Frame width: 3.5 cm / ...
Mirror, Wood
Mirror 1970, style, Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Nice, FR
Rectangular mirror in speckled maple from the 1970s in the style of Willy Rizzo. In the center a mirror. Four in brass. Beautiful workmanship. Very good above a chest of drawers or ...
Mirror
Chrome and Brass Mirror by Belgo Chrome, 1970s
By Belgo Chrome
Located in Paris, IDF
With its strong geometric design, this statement mirror is typical of Belgian design firm Belgo chrome. Its imposing chrome and brass border surrounds the smoky bronze mirror, creati...
Brass, Chrome
Brass Advertising Mirror Longines, 1970s
By Longines
Located in taranto, IT
Extremely rare advertising mirror for a Longines dealer shop, entirely made of brass with upper and lower logo It measures 27 cm in diameter, in ...
Brass
Wood Italian Mirror, 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Italian wooden mirror made in the 70s. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Glass, Wood
1970s Willy Rizzo Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirror
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish wall mirror designed by Willy Rizzo, it's an high quality wall mirror in perfect conditions.
Brass
Italian Modern Brass Mirror by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Salzburg, AT
Stylish straight lined wall mirror - the construction of the stepped brass frame has a width of 3cm. A brass console in the same style appertains to the mirror.
Brass
Pair of Brass and Chrome Mirrors by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Each mirror is made of brass anodized and chrome and is made of high quality materials. The unique combination of quality polished brass and chrome. The quality luxury materials an...
Chrome, Brass
Willy Rizzo Lacquer and Brass Mirror, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
With its strong geometric design, this statement mirror is typical of Italian designer Willy Rizzo’s work. Its imposing black lacquer and brass border surrounds an octagonal mirror, ...
Brass