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 Large Bar Cart in Chrome, Brass and Smoked Glass Trays, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and truly one-of-a-kind large Italian serving bar cart with removable trays, entirely crafted in a combination of chrome, brass, and smoked bronze glass. This incredibly ...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Italian Smoked Glass and Chrome Rolling Bar Trolley, circa 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Troy, MI
This Italian rolling bar cart, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in the 1970s, is built from smoked grey glass panels framed in polished chrome, with canted upper corners cappe...
Chrome
Midcentury Chrome Glass and Marble Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
A midcentury two-tiered chrome, glass, and marble bar cart on casters.
Marble, Chrome
$1,250
H 30.52 in W 26.58 in D 16.54 in
Space Age Vintage Bar Cart Serving Trolley Green Chromed Metal 1970s Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage bar cart or serving trolley from green formica plates and chromed metal frame 1970s. Throughout its foldable parts on eac...
Metal
$1,932
H 26.19 in W 32.29 in D 16.54 in
Serving Bar Cart Brass and Smoked Glass Romeo Rega Style, Italy 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Rome, IT
This vintage brass and smoked glass serving cart features unique midcentury design, combining simple lines and plenty of room for storage or service. In the style of to the Italian d...
Metal, Brass
$1,875
H 25.4 in W 30.32 in D 18.71 in
Chrome, Brass, Smoked Glass and Mirror Bar Cart/Serving Table, Italy, 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Attributable to Fontana Arte Superb linear service trolley. On two levels. One in smoked glass, the other is a smoked mirror. The frame is tubular in brass and chrome, rectangular ...
Brass, Chrome
Italian Brass Bar Cart with Smoked Glass Shelves 1970s
Located in Winter Park, FL
An Italian Hollywood Regency style brass plated bar cart. Smoked glass shelves with dark paned border. Simple bar handle. Bottle rack on the lower shelf. Wheels run smoothly. In good...
Brass
Italian Bar set by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bruxelles, BE
The set includes a cabinet with three illuminated shelves made of suede and metal. It also includes a suede and metal countertop with a mirrored top, a refrigerator, and a glass disp...
Metal
Italian 1970's Post Modern Swiveling Bar Cart in Chrome and Smoked Glass
By Milo Baughman
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A sophisticated and versatile example of Italian 1970s design, this swiveling bar cart (or drinks trolley) features a sleek, minimalist chrome frame with the distinctive ability to p...
Chrome
Brass and Steel Bar Cart
By Maison Jansen
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern four-tier rolling serving trolley in the style of Maison Jansen. Elegant Neoclassical brass medallion accented frame with two floating clear glass shelves....
Brass, Steel
Large Wheel Design Chrome and Glass Tea Bar Cart
By Milo Baughman, Romeo Rega
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern polished chrome and glass rolling bar tea cart.
Chrome
$1,364
H 28.75 in W 26.38 in D 18.12 in
Italian Midcentury Chrome and Glass Two Tier Rolling Bar Cart, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Midcentury Chrome and Glass Two Tier Rolling Bar Cart, 1970s Elegant Italian mid-century modern two-tier rolling bar cart crafted from chromed steel. The cart features grey ...
Chrome
$1,250
H 25.2 in W 29.53 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Italian Smoked Lucite Service Trolley, Willy Rizzo Style, 1980s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant midcentury service trolley in smoked plexiglass. This magnificent item is in the style of Willy Rizzo and was produced in Italy during the 1980s. This piece is unique beca...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
$3,183
H 35.44 in W 29.93 in D 14.97 in
Console Table Wood, Brass, Chrome & Smoked Glass Willy Rizzo Style, 1970s, Italy
By Willy Rizzo, Romeo Rega
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing console table, hallway, foyer or entry table in wood, brass, chorme and smoked glass top in the style of Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in the 1970s. It features one...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
$3,319Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 29.14 in D 19.3 in
Maison Jansen Style Ovale Brass Bar Cart with Smoked Glass Shelves
By Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual ovale bar cart is made of brass with bronzed glas shelves. This is a model attributed to famous French Designer Maison Jansen. Circa 1940.
Brass
$1,648
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 11.82 in
Willy Rizzo Hollywood Regency Bar Cart in Lucite, Brass and Glass, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Exceptional Italian Mid-Century bar cart or side table in clear lucite, brass, and glass. This incredibly stylish Hollywood Regency inspired piece was produced in Italy during the 19...
Brass, Chrome
$2,614
H 25.99 in W 27.56 in D 20.87 in
Serving Cart and Tray Nickel & Lucite Ice Effect Willy Rizzo Style, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing serving cart trolley in nickel structure and ice effect Lucite shelves, one of which removable and usable as a tray, in the style of Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in...
Metal, Nickel
Sold
H 24.02 in W 21.66 in D 22.45 in
Square Bar Cart in Solid Brass with Smoked Glass, Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Italian bar cart in solid brass and smoked glass. This incredibly stylish and unique trolley was produced in Italy during the 1970s and is attributed to the mastery of Wi...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 28.35 in W 29.14 in D 17.33 in
Willy Rizzo Serving Bar Cart in Chrome, Brass, Smoked Glass, w/ Tray, Italy 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Italian serving bar cart with removable top tray, made in a combination of chrome, brass, and smoked glass. This unique cart was produced in Italy during the 1970s and is...
Brass, Chrome, Metal
Sold
H 28 in W 31.5 in D 20 in
Willy Rizzo Mixed Metal Two Level Smoked Glass Bar Cart or Trolley, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Two level smoked glass top bar cart or trolley with a mixed metal frame made from chrome, brass and copper square tubes on casters designed by Willy Rizzo circa 1970s.
Brass, Copper, Chrome
1970s Willy Rizzo Brass and Smoked Glass Bar Cart
By Willy Rizzo
Located in IT
1970s bar cart designed by Willy Rizzo, made of brass and smoked glass. The piece is divided into two sections: an open area featuring a practical pull-out shelf that serves as a tr...
Brass
Sold
H 26.78 in W 31.5 in D 21.26 in
Glass and Polished Steel Bar Cart Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Torquay, GB
Mid-Century design polished steel and smoked glass bar cart cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, circa 1970s. Polished steel frame with glass walls and internal glass shelves. In...
Brass, Steel
Willy Rizzo Mirror Table Bar
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Willy Rizzo, an Italian photographer and designer, was known for his contributions to mid-20th-century design.
Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood, Burl
Willy Rizzo Alveo Black Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Willy Rizzo was an Italian photographer and designer known for his contributions to mid-20th-century design. The "Alveo" coffee table you mentioned is likely a part of his furniture design portfolio.
Aluminum, Chrome
Sold
H 26.78 in W 31.5 in D 21.26 in
20th Century Brass Framed Cocktail Trolley, Willy Rizzo For Mario Sabot, c.1970
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An elegant brass framed cocktail trolley designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, produced in Italy in the 1970s. The dark smoked glass panels are framed by a brass structure on cast...
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 15.75 in
Willy Rizzo Modernist Italian Chromed Metal and Glass Bar Cart Trolley, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
High-end modernist bar trolley made with sturdy chrome frame and black tempered glass, attributed to Willy Rizzo.
Chrome
Willy Rizzo Bar Cart, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Willy Rizzo is famous for its elegant home furniture combining a functional use. This bar cart is an example with its refine bluish glass and mirror encased in a chrome metal structu...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 26.78 in W 31.89 in D 21.26 in
Willy Rizzo Chrome and Smoked Glass Midcentury Italian Bar Cart for Sabot, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant glass bar trolley with smoked mirrors and heavy chrome finishes. The attention to detail on this cart is second to none as it was designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. It ...
Chrome
Willy Rizzo Bar Cart, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Willy Rizzo is famous for its elegant home furniture combining a functional use. This bar cart is an example with its refine bluish glass and mirror encased in a chrome metal structu...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 15.75 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Veneered Coffee and Bar Table by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Prato, IT
Willy Rizzo bar table, burl wood veneer, black stained veneer, glass, mirror and chrome, 1970s. Burl wood veneer and black wood veneer both in a high polished finish with chrome deta...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dry Bar with Extractable Poufs by Willy Rizzo. 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian dry bar set in black lacquered wood, polished stainless steel and glass doors with extractable leather ottomans by Wil...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Bar Tray
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Bar Tray with Grey Glass , Chrome, and Nickel Plated Bronze Stand, by Willy Rizzo.