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.
Set of 6 pcs. Mid-Century Italian Chrome Chairs by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 6 pcs. Mid-Century Italian chrome frame chairs by Willy Rizzo from 1970's. This set consits of 6 pcs. chairs with amrests. The chairs are with new black color velour upholster...
Chrome
Set of “SQ-AL” Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo, Chrome and Velvet, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, FR
Price is per set of 4. Sets of 4 are listed directly, while sets of 6 or 8 can be prepared upon request. A total of 25 chairs are currently available. Four chairs have already been r...
Chrome, Steel
$4,555Sale Price / set|20% Off
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.
Chrome
$325Sale Price / item|20% Off
Cidue Dining Armchair By Willy Rizzo Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Debrecen, HU
This Italian design chair was designed by Willy Rizzo for the Italian manufacturer Cidue. A very comfortable dining chair with armrests. Rizzo entered the world of the newly formed “...
Metal, Aluminum
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...
Stainless Steel
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 new black color velour upholstery. Very good/excellent vintage condition.
Chrome
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...
Upholstery, Beech
Set of Six Dining Chairs Attributed to Willy Rizzo for Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania
An elegant set of six dining chairs attributed to Willy Rizzo for Sabot, Italy, circa the 1970s. These chairs feature the clean architectural lines and refined proportions character...
Velvet, Bentwood
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.
Leather, Wood
$9,568Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Upholstery, Lacquer
$1,742 / set
Set of six cidue rattan dining chairs
By Cidue, Willy Rizzo
Located in BE
A set of six chairs made in Italy in the 1970s by the renowned manufacturer Cidue, known for its collaborations with designer Willy Rizzo. Each chair features a beautiful chrome fram...
Chrome
Set of 6 Mid Century Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a
Metal
Vintage dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 5, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 5 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. The chairs have a beautifully shaped brass frame and come with a beige fabric upholstery. Good vintage condition The chai...
Brass
$3,474 / set
Set de 4 chaises Willy Rizzo, années 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Tresbœuf, FR
Superbe ensemble de 4 chaises attribuées à Willy Rizzo, emblématiques du design italien des années 1970, période marquée par des lignes audacieuses, des matériaux nobles et une éléga...
Chrome
1970's Streamline Chrome Italian Dining Chairs Set Of 6
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Amazing set of 6 streamline chrome Italian dining chairs in the style of Willy Rizzo, newly re-upholstered in Chenille fabric, with minor wear and patina to the chrome due to age and...
Chrome
$3,253 / set
H 29.14 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century set of four Italian "Tulu" Chairs by K. Takahama for Gavina, 1969.
By Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Sacile, PN
Set of four grey "Tulu" chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina Studio Simon, 1969. This set is for a second series as shown in the crossbar on the front of the seat New foam pa...
Metal
$2,207 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Set of Chrome and Black Cesca Chair by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian set of 3 chrome cantilever Cesca chair with black lacquered wood profiles by Marcel Breuer. The chairs are in really good ...
Chrome
$4,415 / set
H 36.23 in W 18.9 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Set of 4 Leather D Dining Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian set of 4 cognac leather and dark beech wood dining chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù. The chairs are in really good vintage condi...
Leather, Beech
$8,366 / set
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
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.
Leather, Wood
$4,647 / set
H 31.89 in W 18.9 in D 20.87 in
Cidue Dining Armchairs Chairs Set of 6 Chrome and Leather
By Cidue
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Italian design chairs are produced for Italian manufacture Cidue. It has a polished chromed steel base and upholstered in dark brown leather seat. A very comfortable dining cha...
Chrome
$4,183 / set
H 28.75 in W 20.48 in D 20.87 in
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...
Upholstery, Beech
$2,400
H 39.5 in W 16 in D 18 in
Four Willy Rizzo Style Black Leather Tubular Cidue Barstools Mid-Century Modern
By Cidue, Willy Rizzo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three stitched leather, slim profile side, stools or barstools in the style of legendary designer Willy Rizzo and manufactured by Cidue. Italian made is the late 1970s or early 1980s...
Steel
$2,091 / set
H 32.09 in W 17.52 in D 18.12 in
Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue, Italy 1980's
By Cidue
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue. Made in the 1980's in Italy. Slender black lacquered metal frame with grey stained rush woven seats. They all shows signs of...
Metal
$5,043 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Set of Six Dining Chairs Attributed to Willy Rizzo for Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania
An elegant set of six dining chairs attributed to Willy Rizzo for Sabot, Italy, circa the 1970s. These chairs feature the clean architectural lines and refined proportions character...
Velvet, Bentwood
$4,500 / set
H 37.41 in W 17.72 in D 18.51 in
Set of Four Velvet Chairs by Willy Rizzo, Chrome Frame, Circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sublime set of four chairs with a refined design typical of the 1970s, attributed to Willy Rizzo, renowned for his style blending modernism, luxury, and clean lines. Each chair fea...
Chrome
$920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 17.33 in D 20.08 in
Set of Six Italian Chrome and Bouclé Dining Chairs, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
A set of six sculptural dining chairs produced in Italy during the 1970s. This ensemble is characterized by its refined linear silhouette, featuring high, fanned wire backrests craft...
Metal, Chrome
Set of 6 pcs. Mid-Century Italian Chrome Chairs by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 6 pcs. Mid-Century Italian chrome frame chairs by Willy Rizzo from 1970's. This set consits of 4 pcs. chairs with and 2 pcs. with amrests. The chairs are with new black color ...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.71 in W 17.72 in D 16.15 in
Set of 6 Brass "Willy Rizzo" Dining Chairs in Original Fabric, Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Set of 6 Brass "Willy Rizzo" Dining Chairs in Original Fabric, Italy
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Vintage leather and chrome dining chairs by Willy Rizzo, 1970s - set of 8
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Fantastic set of 8 dining chairs by Willy Rizzo manufactured with a tubular chrome frame and beautifully patinated leather seats. Good condition 1970s, Italy Dimensions: Height: 7...
Chrome
Vintage dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 4, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 4 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. The chairs have a beautifully shaped chrome frame and come with the original black leather seats. Good vintage condition w...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in
Six leather cantilever dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Elegant set of six Italian cantilever dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue in the 1970s. The chairs feature a striking chromed steel cantilever frame with sculptural side ...
Chrome
Vintage dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 5, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 5 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 ...
Chrome
Vintage dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 8, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 8 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. The chairs have a beautyfully shaped chrome frame and come with the original black leather seats. Good overall condition ...
Chrome
Sold
H 32.29 in W 18.12 in D 23.63 in
Vintage brass and cognac leather dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 4
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 4 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue (model C2). The chairs have a beautifully shaped brass frame and come with the cognac brown leather seats. Rare to find the...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 22.84 in
Vintage brass dining chairs by Willy Rizzo for cidue set of 6, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. The chairs have a beautifully shaped patinated brass frame and come with the original black leather seats. Good condition ...
Brass
Sold
H 30.32 in W 18.9 in D 16.15 in
Set of 8 SQ-AL Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Maison Willy Rizzo 1970 Set of 4
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,...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 30.32 in W 18.9 in D 16.15 in
Set of 8 SQ-AL Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Maison Willy Rizzo 1970 Set of 6
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,...
Brass, Steel
Willy Rizzo Set of Six Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Hellouw, NL
This set of six chairs exemplifies Rizzo’s affinity for clean architectural lines and luxurious materials. Design Each chair features a pared-back, rectilinear frame in chromed steel, supporting a generously cushioned seat and backrest. The upholstery is a textured natural fabric, likely an original or early material, which complements the cool metal framework with subtle warmth. The seat is slightly cantilevered, contributing to the chairs’ dynamic silhouette while maintaining comfort and stability. The geometry of the design is elegantly understated;two steel runners form each leg and side structure, providing visual lightness without sacrificing strength. This type of structural clarity is characteristic of Rizzo’s broader design ethos, which emerged from his background as both a photographer and designer with an eye for cinematic compositions. Best known for his low-slung lounge furniture and glamorous interiors, Rizzo designed these chairs to blend seamlessly with modernist dining tables, offering a calm but confident presence. They suit a variety of settings, from formal dining rooms to creative studios, and work especially well with glass or travertine dining tables. The restrained palette and clean profile make them highly versatile, without compromising on their distinct period character. We also have the matching Willy Rizzo travertine dining table...
Chrome