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 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
$7,963Sale 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
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
Willy Rizzo Smoked Glass Cabinet for Mario Sabot, 1970
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
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
$4,314Sale 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 Sabot, Willy Rizzo
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
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
$75,500 / set
H 87 in W 119 in D 18 in
Grand Mastercraft Designed Three Part Brass & Glass Vitrines or Curio Cabinets
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Architecturally-inspired this breathtaking three part brass Curved China cabinet set by Mastercraft, inviting drama into any space. Dedicated to c...
Brass
$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 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
$3,200Sale Price|23% Off
H 29.75 in W 45.25 in D 18.5 in
Mastercraft Brass Illuminated Demilune Vitrine Cabinet, 1970s, Signed
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible brass demilune display cabinet, produced by Mastercraft in the 1970s, features a mirrored and illuminated interior, exquisite textured top, a pair of glass doors and ...
Brass
Paul Evans Mid Century Burl Wood Floating Display Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans Mid Century burl wood floating display cabinet. Measures: 24.5 wide x 13.75 deep x 48.25 high. Veneer Loss. All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call Restored ...
Wood
$5,571
H 59.06 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Cabinet in Brown Lacquered Wood and Brass, Italy 1980s
By Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
Marvellous and elegant Italian showcase cabinet from 1970. The excellent quality of dark brown lacquer with glass panels embellished and solid brass is mixed with a lacquered shelf ...
Brass
$7,165
H 51.19 in W 110.63 in D 75.2 in
Mid-Century Walnut Cabinet and Sideboard by A.A. Patijn for Zijlstra, 1950's
By Zijlstra, Abraham A. Patijn
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful walnut cabinet or sideboard, designed by A.A. Patijn for Zijlstra Joure in the 50’s. This high quality Dutch cabinet is made with the best materials, it is composed by ...
Brass
$6,938
H 28.55 in W 49.61 in D 18.71 in
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
$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
$4,605
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 18.9 in
1970s "Alveo" sideboard cabinet in briarwood by Willy Rizzo for Mario sabot
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Milano, MI
Iconic sideboard designed in the 760s by Willy Rizzo for Italian manufacturer Mario Sabot. The cabinet with the special burl veneer that gives it special charm and luxury lends itsel...
Wood
Sold
H 77.56 in W 72.84 in D 11.23 in
Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet and Bar Stools in the Style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar, bar stools, metal, suede, glass, brass, glass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style of Willy Rizzo. The set includes a counter element and illumi...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Metal and Brown Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Metal and Brown Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Black Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet with Barstools in Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 29.75 in W 47.25 in D 18.75 in
'Alveo' Sideboard Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, circa 1970s Italy
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s 'Alveo' cabinet, which works excellent as a sideboard or small credenza, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. The modern design consists o...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
20th Century Willy Rizzo Black Bar Cabinet with Ottomans for Sabot, 70s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Turin, Turin
Willy Rizzo, most famous for his photographer career, designed some furniture items from 1966 to 1978. Imagination and necessity also allowed Willy Rizzo to try his hand at furnitur...
Steel
Italian Dry Bar Console by Willy Rizzo in Chrome and Lacquered
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This cocktail bar is designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His cocktail and bar designs are amongst his most prolific and therefore most wanted objects. This particular piece is exemplary for the glamorous style that Rizzo is known for. The clean chrome top matches the shiny mirroring black giving the bar a classy appearance. Dimension of the two poufs are 44 cm X 44 cm seat height 40 cm. Lumini...
Chrome
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Glass Cabinets
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian glass cabinets designed by Willy Rizzo. Smoked glass with accenting brass hardware. Please confirm location.
Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in W 74.81 in D 47.25 in
Rare Extra Large Willy Rizzo Black Lacquer and Brass Bar Coffee Table, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests, and will make a fascinating centerpiece for your living room. Following the glamorous...
Brass
Vintage Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Willy Rizzo cabinet is an original design work realized in the 1970s by Willy Rizzo (Naples,1928 - Paris, 2013). Created by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy. Lacquered wood...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 77.56 in W 7.88 in D 61.03 in
Two-Piece Bar Cabinet in Brass, Steel and Wicker, Design Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Napoli, IT
Two-piece bar cabinet in brass, steel and wicker, design Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970.
Brass, Steel