Willy Rizzo Seating
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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32
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18
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31
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28
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32
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119
1,450
1,249
1,120
1,077
Creator: Willy Rizzo
Pair of vintage 1970s chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in None, IT
Pair of chairs with wooden frame and orange fabric seat, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s.
CONDITION:
In good condition, may show signs of wear and tear given by time
...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$945 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 8 Chrome & Velvet "SQ-AL" Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo, France, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, FR
Price per set of eight / available as a set of twelve.
The chairs can be reupholstered in the velvet of your choice or in leather upon request for an additional cost.
A striking exa...
Category
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Modular Sofa group, designed by Willy Rizzo. Italy, Mario Sabot, 1969.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
A fully restored 'Super-C' modular sofa group by Willy Rizzo consisting of three separate modules (one corner module and 2 double seat modules). The frame has been fully restored inc...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Velvet
Eight Exquisite Willy Rizzo SQ-BR Square Chairs, 1970, Published Casa Vogue
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Authentic early 1970's produced SQ-BR Square chairs by Willy Rizzo
A large set of 6 SQ Square dining chairs and 2 rare matching SQ-BR armrest din...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 6, 1970s
By Cidue, Willy Rizzo
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue.
The chairs have a beautifully shaped chrome frame and come with the original brown leather seats.
Good vintage condition
...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Chrome
6 sedie Willy Rizzo per Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Ghedi, IT
This set of six dining chairs, designed by Willy Rizzo and crafted by Mario Sabot in the 1970s, embodies mid-century modern and Space Age design. The chairs feature curved wooden fra...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Textile
$2,100 / set
Pair chairs in the style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of chairs in the style of Willy Rizzo 1960s
Products that reflect the age of the 20th century.
Mid-centurymodern.
Modernity for interior decora...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Brass, Nickel
$777 Sale Price / item
67% Off
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Four Dining Chairs Beech Blue Willy Rizzo 1960s Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage set of four ( 4 ) dining room chairs from brown stained beech and upholstered seats new covered with blue velvet by Willy Rizzo 1960s Italy.
A beautiful s...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Willy Rizzo saddle leather chair cognac Cidue - 1970s
By Cidue, Willy Rizzo
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Willy Rizzo saddle leather chair cognac Cidue - 1970/80s
Chair - Willy Rizzo - Italian design
Measures : 46cmx46cm H:80cm SH:44cm
Material : Base material: steel frame covered with l...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Metal
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in Green Velvet
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, Kvadrat Harald 3 - 0952, wood, Italy, 1970s.
This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Wood, Velvet
Set of 6 Brass "Willy Rizzo" Dining Chairs in Original Leather, Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Set of 6 Brass "Willy Rizzo" Dining Chairs in Original Leather, Italy
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Metal, Brass
Selection of Willy Rizzo sofas available, we can restore, choose your own fabric.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This iconic sofa was designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969 and is published in many of the interior design journals of the period. This design was illustrated in Casa Vogue's feature on Rizzo's own home in St Tropez,France in their October 1974 issue.
The sofa is finished in brown suede.
We have a further selection of these Willy Rizzo sofas...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Suede, Wood
Set of 8 SQ-AL Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Maison Willy Rizzo, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning set of eight "SQ-AL" dining chairs, designed by Willy Rizzo for Maison Willy Rizzo in the 1970s-a perfect example of how that era masterfully combined luxury, functionality,...
Category
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Brass, Steel
Willy Rizzo Dining Chairs for Mario Sabon
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Unique Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot set off four dining chairs made of curved wood lacquered in black shiny colour and leather padded cushions, custom made for these chairs, and hold ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
$10,000 / set
Willy Rizzo C2 70s Production Chromed Steel Frame Gray Vintage Leather Set of 4
By Willy Rizzo
Located in IT
Willy Rizzo chairs C2 70s production with chromed steel frame and gray vintage leather seats. Set of 4 chairs.
The seat has been re upholstered with vintage leather. The chairs are in excellent condition, the steel shows only light signs of use. Set of 4 chairs. Measurements: L seat 45 cm, total P 55 cm, H 83 cm, seat P 41...
Category
Late 20th Century European Modern Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Steel
Superb Pair of Suede Willy Rizzo Lounge Chairs, Signed Studio Willy Rizzo, 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Extremely rare pair of signed Willy Rizzo lounge chairs finished in suede with stainless steel bases.
These are very early examples which were produced by the 'Studio Willy Rizzo' in Rome in 1969, recognised by the Willy Rizzo signature in the fabric. Original Signed early period Willy Rizzo lounge chairs are very rare, 95% of the output of this design were produced as either two, three or four-seat sofas and the individual lounge chairs are very rarely seen on the market today.
This iconic design featured prominently in the prestigious Italian design periodical 'Casa Vogue' throughout the early to mid-1970s including a feature on Rizzo ad Elsa Martinelli's own home in St Tropez, France in the October 1974 issue which illustrates this design. Please see image 4.
These rare chairs have had their upholstery completely renovated including new seat support strapping, new foam and suede upholstery to the original specifications. The Willy Rizzo signatures from the original upholstery have been carefully cut from the original worn fabric and sown to the underside of each chair to maintain the authenticity. Photos of the restoration process are available on request. Please see image 10 as an example.
Literature:-
CASA VOGUE, October 1974 (features this design in the home of Elsa Martinelli and Willy Rizzo in St Tropez,France). See image 4
CASA VOGUE , JUNE 1975
CASA VOGUE, September 1975, Please see IMAGE 9
CASA VOGUE, November 1976, Please see IMAGE 8
Willy Rizzo is best known as a photographer. He began his illustrious 20 year career with Paris Match in 1948 which lead to him photographing some of the greatest names of the period.
Rizzo was married to italian actress Elsa Martinelli,which gave him unparalleled access to the star names of the period and his cornucopia of sitters would include among others Brigitte Bardot, Sofia Loren...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Four Willy Rizzo dining chairs
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, FR
Four dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo, circa 1970 Italy.
Chrome structure.
New Alcantara upholstery.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Chrome
$4,561 / set
Mid-century modern six wooden chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Mid-century modern six wooden chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
Set of six chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s. The combination of clean lines, high-quality...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of 4 Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Set of 4 black leather chairs realized by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in 1970s.
Black lacquered curved wooden structure, seat with metal foil edging and seat in black leather.
Very g...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Metal
$2,184 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Collectible Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Milano, IT
Willy Rizzo Design - Mario Sabot Dining Chairs - Collectible Space Age Furniture
Four Space Age dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo and manufactured by Mario Sabot. A complete set...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
$2,266 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern, set of 6 Willy Rizzo chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern, Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Willy Rizzo Canape Super C
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
Rizzo loved the simplicity and purity of Rationalism and was heavily inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic. Informed by his photographer’s eye, he sought visual...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Animal Skin, Suede
$25,210 / set
Set of 4 Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot and Sormani, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Sormani
Located in Roma, IT
Set of 4 vintage black lacquered chairs with natural brushed leather seat, realized by Willy Rizzo for Sormani in 1970s.
Fully original and in excellent condition.
Seat height 45 c...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Metal
$4,117 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Rare 'Super C' modular sofa in original black leather by Willy Rizzo. Signed!
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Crazy vintage & modular ‘Super C’ in its original black leather. Matching set & signed! A very rare find on the market!
Designed & produced by Willy Rizzo Italy.
This sofa is the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Leather, Faux Leather
Set of 4 pcs. Mid-Century Italian Chrome Chairs by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 4 pcs. Mid-Century Italian chrome frame chairs by Willy Rizzo from 1970's.
The chairs are with olive green color upholstery.
Very good/excellent vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Chrome
Italian modern Beige fabric Modular sofa by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s
By Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Beige fabric Modular sofa by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s
Modular and corner sofa, fully padded and covered in brown-beige linen fabric. The sofa is composed of 3 simp...
Category
1970s Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Fabric
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in White Upholstery
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, fabric, ultrasuede, wood, Italy, 1970s.
This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo and consists of a three-seater, two-seater, a...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Fabric, Ultrasuede, Wood
Suite de 6 chaises italiennes traîneau vintage de Willy Rizzo pour Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo
Located in BESANÇON, FR
6 chaises vintage des années 70, superbe design italien attribué à Willy Rizzo pour Mario Sabot, structure et dossiers en bois foncé, assises amovibles totalement rénovées en très jo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Wood
Grey - Red Set of 4 "willy Rizzo" Dining Chairs.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Grey - Red Set of 4 "willy Rizzo" Dining Chairs.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of six chairs, designed by Willy RIZZO for CIDUE, in black leather. Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Torino, IT
Set of six chairs,
design by Willy RIZZO
for CIDUE,
in Black leather.
ORIGIN
Italy
PERIOD
1970s
DESIGNER
Willy RIZZO
(Naples, 1928 - Paris, 2013) was a celebrated Italian photogr...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Metal
Willy Rizzo Super C Sofa Set with Wood Base and Ultra-suede Upholstery, 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This modular sofa set designed by Willy Rizzo features one three-seater module and two single-seat modules, upholstered with camel ultra-suede. The modular aspect of Rizzo’s design a...
Category
1660s Italian Antique Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Ultrasuede, Wood
Set of Ten Dining Chairs for Mario Sabot in Black Lacquer with Cotton Blend 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This set of ten dining chairs, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, feature an elegantly curved back and frame of black lacquered wood. Offering up simple, ergonomic elegance, th...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Lacquer
Willy Rizzo seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Willy Rizzo seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Willy Rizzo were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Carlo Bartoli, Mobil Girgi, and Vittorio Introini. Prices for Willy Rizzo seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,850 and can go as high as $29,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,400.
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