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.
Italian display case attributed to Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brescia, IT
Wooden display case with chrome-plated steel trim, three circular openings, and interior shelves made of tinted glass. Attributed to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s. An Italian display ca...
Metal
$10,966Sale Price|25% Off
H 88.59 in W 125.99 in D 16.54 in
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
$18,400 / set
H 78 in W 61.5 in D 11 in
Standing Dry Bar in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy, circa 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural, this standing dry bar in the style of Willy Rizzo embodies the glamorous aesthetic of 1970s Italian design. The piece features a curved front clad in plush gr...
Metal
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
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
$5,300Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.9 in W 69.69 in D 29.53 in
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
$16,563 / set
H 73.63 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Vintage Motorized Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage motorized bar is a design item attributed to Willy Rizzo, and realized in 1970s. Four bottles and twelve glasses can be placed. The ceiling lig...
Steel, Metal
$16,220 / set
H 75.99 in W 59.06 in D 66.93 in
Suede And Chrome Dry Bar With Barstools by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible cognac suede and chrome bar set by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s. With original mirror counter, working lights, original refrigerator and two matching bar stools. The ultimat...
Chrome
$6,762Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.12 in W 69.69 in D 18.71 in
Willy Rizzo Italian Mid-Century Black Credenza Sideboard for Mario Sabot, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern 3-door credenza sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Mario Sabot Italai with lacquered wooden structure and chromed steel details, made in Ital...
Metal
$2,513Sale Price|54% Off
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 18.51 in
1970s Willy Rizzo Wood and Brass Chest of Drawers
By Willy Rizzo
Located in IT
Chest of drawers attributed to Willy Rizzo. ten drawers, wood and brass details. Size of the piece: w 120 cm, h 75 cm , d 47 cm A video and better pictures will be available soon.
Brass
$23,131 / set
H 75.99 in W 58.27 in D 48.43 in
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s Beige Suede and Metal
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s Willy Rizzo (1928–2013) was an Italian-born French designer and photographer. He began designing furniture in the late 1960...
Metal
$7,730
H 74.81 in W 51.97 in D 20.48 in
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
$5,483
H 29.93 in W 69.69 in D 18.9 in
"Alveo" Black and Chrome Sideboard by Willy Rizzo for Sabot. Italy, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Milan, IT
"Alveo" sideborad by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. Black body with chrome details; three drawers and three doors w/central element with inner lighting.
Steel
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Rosewood and Marble, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Rosewood and Marble, Italy, 1970s Exceptional bar cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo, crafted in Italy in the 1970s. ...
Marble
$7,996
H 77.96 in W 64.97 in D 48.82 in
Monumental Dry Bar Hollywood Regency in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Argelato, BO
Monumental Dry Bar Hollywood Regency in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
Metal
Willy Rizzo Style Mario Sabot Chest of Drawers, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant chest of drawers made by Maria Sabot and in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s. Cream white lacquered surface with brass details.
Brass
Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Very Rare and beautiful vintage dry bar designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. White leather, metal silver bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glas...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Burlwood Bookcase, France, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Chicago, IL
Willy Rizzo burlwood bookcases, wall unit, France, 1970. Upper case has interior adjustable glass shelves. Nice patina to brass hardware.
Burl
Willy Rizzo Burl Wood Bookcase, France, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Chicago, IL
Willy Rizzo burlwood bookcases, wall unit, France, 1970. Upper case has interior lighting and adjustable glass shelves. Nice patina to brass hardw...
Burl
Sold
H 78.75 in W 77.56 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Willy Rizzo Black Smoked Glass and Gold-Plated Steel Shelf
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Valladolid, ES
Beautiful Willy Rizzo black smoked glass and gold-plated steel shelf with black lacker base. It has an Italian Label. It looks asymmetric and timel...
Crystal, Steel
Willy Rizzo Vintage Chrome Bookcase, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Rizzo vintage chrome bookcase, Italy 1970s This striking vintage Italian chromebookcase, designed by Willy Rizzo, with glass shelves circa ...
Chrome