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, Bar, Room Divider for Mario Sabot, 1970
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Serving as both a bar and a room divider, this piece of furniture by Willy Rizzo structures the room without closing it off. It consists of three modules: The two leather-covered sto...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Italian Willy Rizzo Showcase/ Vitrine, 1980's
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage showcase/vitrine created in marine style by Willy Rizzo from 1980's. The structure is made in wood with chromed steel on the sides. Round parts are on both parts - back and ...
Metal
Stunning Cocktail Bar Cabinet with Stool in The Style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar, brass, chrome-plated metal, glass, aluminum, suede, mirror, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style of Willy Rizzo. The set includes a counter element...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Sequoia Burl and Black Lacquer Display Cabinet with Glass Doors 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Almelo, NL
Willy Rizzo Sequoia Burl and Black Lacquer Display Cabinet with Glass Doors, 1970s Elegant, bold, and timeless—this rare Sequoia Burl Display Cabinet, designed by Willy Rizzo for Ma...
Burl
Willy Rizzo Black Laminated Wood & Chrome Sideboard, Dresser, Cabinet Italy Pair
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo pair of very heavy black laminated wood dresser, sideboard, cabinet with circle chrome pulls and elegant chrome corners. Fea...
Chrome
Mid-Century Italian Willy Rizzo/Mario Sabot Sideboard
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Midcentury Italian sideboard by Willy Rizzo/Mario Sabot. Sideboard is finished with black glossy stained veneer surface decorated with ch...
Burl, Mirror
Credenza di Willy Rizzo con cassetti e ante anni 70
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Ghedi, IT
Credenza Sideboard di Willy Rizzo – Ante e Cassetti, 225 cm, Bordi in Acciaio CromatoWilly Rizzo, celebre fotografo di star hollywoodiane negli anni ’60 e ’70, si affermò come design...
Hardwood
Original 3-door Sideboard with red laminate surface by Willy RIZZO, Sabot 1972
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Two-door sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo. Italy, Maria Sabot, 1972. Dark red laminate and chrome detailed sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Mario Sabot. Two doors ...
Laminate
$5,614Sale Price|20% Off
Three-Doors Sideboard by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage three-doors sideboard in wood and chromed steel. Striking and architectural, this large 1970s sideboard exemplifies Willy Rizzo’s unmistakable glamour—where sharp geometry m...
Steel
$5,808Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage dry bar with black laminate structure and chromed metal base by Willy Rizzo. Realized in Italy in 1970s and produced by Mario Sabot. Very good condition.
Metal, Brass
Red Burgundy Lacquered Modular Shelf / Wall Unit by Willy Rizzo, Italy ca. 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Geneva, CH
Vintage red burgundy lacquered laminated wood with chrome trims modular shelf by Willy Rizzo made in Italy ca. 1972. Very good condition Dimensions as shown on the pictures : W 320 ...
Metal
Bar corner cabinet by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s, this bar corner exemplifies the designer’s unmistakable approach to furniture as architecture, where structure, material and light converge in a...
Granite, Metal, Brass
Sequoia Burl Bar Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Conversano, IT
Elegant, bold, and timeless: this rare bar cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo is the perfect embodiment of his unmistakable style, suspended between rationalist functionalism and sophis...
Brass, Chrome
$1,270Sale Price|25% Off
Glass and Chromed Metal Cabinet "Alpha" by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Fumé Glass and Chromed Metal Cabinet model "Alpha", realized by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in 1970s. Very good condition.
Metal
$7,997Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Rizzo Cabinet, Elm Burl Wood & Brass, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in London, GB
Willy Rizzo cabinet, from the 1970s, it's a piece of history of furniture design. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Brass
$1,361Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Glass and Chromed Metal Cabinet "Alpha" by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Fumé Glass and Chromed Metal Cabinet model "Alpha", realized by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in 1970s. Very good condition.
Metal
$1,361Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Glass and Chromed Metal Cabinet "Alpha" by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Fumé Glass and Chromed Metal Cabinet model "Alpha", realized by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in 1970s. Very good condition.
Metal
Willy Rizzo Expandable Black Lacquer Steel Dry Bar with Integrated Poufs, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Milano, IT
Willy Rizzo (Italy, 1928 – France, 2013). Rare dry bar with two leather poufs, circa 1970s. Black cow leather, black lacquered wood, satin steel and mirror glass. Designed and made i...
Stainless Steel
A Willy Rizzo Chest with Two Doors and Brass Trim
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Chicago, IL
Sleek and timeless, this vintage storage chest by Willy Rizzo features lacquered amboyna veneers and refined brass inlay detailing. Designed in the early 1970s, it offers clean lines...
Brass
1970s Stacking Corner Cabinet by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Toronto, CA
This cabinet has the head-turning magnetism of a celebrity, and no wonder: it’s by Willy Rizzo (1928 – 2013), a photographer of the mid-century jet set who turned to furniture design...
Laminate, Wood
$13,208Sale Price / item|20% Off
Willy Rizzo Drybar Set in Black Lacquer with Chrome and Cowhide Upholstery, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This dry bar set by Willy Rizzo features a clean chrome top that compliments the high-gloss quality of its black lacquered finish—an entertainment piece that exemplifies high-class g...
Chrome
Willy Rizzo Smoked Glass Cabinet for Mario Sabot, 1970
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Voorburg, NL
Beautiful Smoked glass cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s. The cabinet comes with smoked glass with accenting brass hardware. The frame of the cabinet is made of ...
Brass, Steel
Burl elmwood and brass sideboard by Willy Rizzo, Ed.Mario Sabot 1970
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Renens, CH
Burlwood and brass sideboard by Willy Rizzo, Ed.Mario Sabot 1970 The gorgeous credenza has been designed by the famous Italian fashion photographer turned designer Willy Rizzo. Thi...
Brass
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot sideboard
By Willy Rizzo
Located in BE
A refined dark brown, lacquered and laminated credenza designed by Willy Rizzo and manufactured by Mario Sabot in Italy during the 1970s. The piece features elegant chromed corner pr...
Chrome
$4,356Sale Price|40% Off
H 74 in W 120 in D 40 in
Dry Bar Set by Willy Rizzo in Chrome and lacquered Wood, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Sabot
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary lacquered wood and metal bar designed by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s. A sophisticated, elegant, versatile work, which will add a touch of style and glamour t...
Metal
Jacques Adnet Style Bar with Two Stools
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Miami, FL
French Mid-Century Modern Jacques Adnet style bar. Black Faux Leather with Metal footrest. Sold with two stools. Bar Laminated Top measures 14 inches Dept...
Metal
$7,260
H 31.89 in W 73.63 in D 16.93 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard dresser with Mirror by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian mid-century sideboard i produced by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. This sideboard has excellent manufacturing aspects, noticeable from the arched line, hard transparent glass s...
Brass
Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful vintage dry bar designed in the 1970s and attributed to Willy Rizzo. Orange suede, chromed metal bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored gla...
Steel
$3,200
H 86 in W 36 in D 17 in
Mastercraft Dome Shape Top Two Doors Glass Shelve Display Curio Cabinet Showcase
By Established Lines, Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mastercraft Dome Shape Top Two Doors Glass Shelve Display Curio Cabinet Showcase MINT
Brass
Vintage Iron And Glass Display Cabinet, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Vintage medicine cabinet from the 1970s, made in Hungary. This cabinet is a real eye-catcher thanks to its industrial design and all-glass walls on all four sides. Made of iron and g...
Iron
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard Attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich, 1950s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Pretty Italian mid-century sideboard attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich, produced in the 1950s. The top and sides are made of teak on solid tapering flared legs enclosing two doors and ...
Brass
Pair of Black Wooden Vitrine Cabinets with Glass Doors
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of cabinets / vitrines made of black painted wood on the outside and natural color wood on the inside. Door and sides made of glass, wooden shelves. The cabinets are new, unused...
Glass, Wood
$5,900Sale Price|30% Off
H 33 in W 47.5 in D 10 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Console, Bar and Sideboard in style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
A Sober, Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Console in the style of Willy Rizzo that can function as a bar, sideboard, buffet, etagere, serving table, sofa table or small cupboard. The piece is composed of Chromed metal and black opaline glass and has a chic, narrow profile allowing it to easily fit anywhere including as a narrow hallway console...
Chrome
Italian Art Deco Credenza with display cabinet , Burl Walnut
By Strada Abramo
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art deco credenza with display cabinet in burl walnut , by Ditta Strada Abramo fu Paolo, Milano, Italy. Credenza with showcase in walnut with two bodies: sideboard with two doors ...
Walnut, Burl
Mid-Century Asymmetric Italian Sideboard, circa 1950
By Luigi Scremin
Located in Brussels, BE
Very elegant mid-century sideboard, circa 1950, Italy. 2 wood doors, 2 glass sliding doors, 3 shelves. Marquetry work with leaves decoration on the central door. Teck and maple w...
Metal, Brass
Postmodern Modular Bookcase, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This striking black bookcase, crafted in the 1980s, embodies the bold aesthetics of the postmodern design movement. Its modular grid structure is both functional and sculptural, offe...
Wood
Mobile Bar Hollywood Regency di Willy Rizzo in ottone scamosciato
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Ghedi, IT
Un colpo di scena in ottone e pelle: questo mobile bar Hollywood Regency firmato Willy Rizzo è il distillato puro del glamour anni ’70, quando il design italiano dettava legge tra Sa...
Leather
Sold
H 75.99 in W 59.06 in D 66.93 in
suede And Chrome Dry Bar with barstools In green By Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible green suede and chrome bar set by Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s This rare colour combination is the ultimate seventies dream! With original mirror counter, working lights, ori...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
Suede, Glass
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Rare and beautiful vintage dry bar designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. Brown suede, golden bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glass top, golden...
Metal
Original Burr Wood 3-door Sideboard by Willy RIZZO, Sabot 1972
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Burl wood three-door Sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo. Italy, Mario Sabot, 1972. Burl wood veneer with brass-coloured handles and corner details was designed by Willy Rizzo and prod...
Burl
Sold
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet for Mario for Mario Sabot 1970 Italy Black and Steel
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bar cabinet with slide top door and front flaps, with built-in retractable stools, the steel metal top has some scratches, the black frame also has some scratches, as pictured.
Steel
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful vintage dry bar designed in the 1970s by Willy Rizzo. Orange suede, chromed metal bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glass top, chrome ...
Metal
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Rare and beautiful vintage dry bar designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. Brown suede, golden bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glass top, golden...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 72.64 in W 49.22 in D 11.62 in
Mid-Century Chrome and Bronzed Glass Etagere / Room Divider by Willy Rizzo 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Dublin 8, IE
This striking chrome and bronzed glass étagère, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s, embodies the glamorous aesthetic of the Italian designer’s work during that era. With its clean ...
Chrome
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Rare and beautiful vintage dry bar designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. Brown suede, golden bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glass top, golden...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 29.73 in W 69.69 in D 18.71 in
Black "Alveo" Sideboard & Bar Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
Striking and iconic "Alveo" sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Sabot in Italy during the 1970s. In fabulous condition and fully original. Crafted in black lacquered ...
Chrome, Metal, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 29.93 in W 69.69 in D 18.9 in
Mid-century modern sideboard "Alveo" by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s A stunning and rare vintage sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo and manufactured by Mario Sabot in Italy, ci...
Chrome