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 Mid-Century ALVEO Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo ALVEO series mid-century coffee table from 1970s. This table is an exclusive piece created with burl walnut veneer decorated with brass details on the corners an...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Yin Yang Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo Yin Yang series mid-century coffee table from 1970s. This table is created ir round form with two levels. The surface is in black varnish combined with upper lev...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century ALVEO Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo ALVEO series mid-century coffee table from 1970s. This table is an exclusive piece created with burl walnut veneer decorated with brass details on the corners an...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Brass, Chrome and Glass Side Tables by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Pair of mid-century Italian side tables made of brass and chrome frame with smoked glass top and lower shelves by Willy Rizzo. Each table signed on the metal. Heavy and solid, very ...
Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Signed 2 Tiers Console
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
2 tiers Willy Rizzo console, Flaminia series. Chrome and brass, high quality piece, heavy and sturdy Signed on the front leg Perfect dimensions for a sofa table use.
Brass, Chrome
Rare side table of chromed brass and creme coloured laminate by Willy Rezzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Lejre, DK
Rare side table of chromed brass and creme coloured laminate. Manufactured 1970s by Mario Salbot, Italy.
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Brass Chrome Coffee Table by Willy Rizzo Signed 1970s Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vienna, AT
This signed Willy Rizzo vintage coffee table was made of brass and chromed metal and appears as an elegant beauty. Willy Rizzo (1928-2...
Metal, Brass
Signed Willy Rizzo Two-Tier Chrome & Brass Coffee Table Smoked Glass Italy 60s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant two-tier coffee table signed Willy Rizzo made in Italy, circa 1965. Sturdy chrome frame with brass inlay and smoked glass tops. Space in between the glass is 7.5 inche...
Brass, Chrome
$9,108
H 14.38 in W 46.86 in D 50.6 in
"Alveo" Rectangular Burl and Brass Coffee Table by Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent “Alveo” rectangular coffee table in burl wood and brass, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in Italy during the 1970s. Fully original and in fantastic condition, th...
Metal, Brass
$2,500
H 27.76 in W 35.52 in D 14.18 in
Chrome & Brass Bicolor Two-Tiered Double Shelved Console Table
By Belgo Chrome, Willy Rizzo, Romeo Rega
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Brass and chrome-plated two-tiered console or hallway table, circa 1970s. Perfect for the Hollywood Regency style enthusiast or mid-century lover although, this table would sit very well indeed within any contemporary home decor design. Not dissimilar to the designs of Italian furniture designer Willy Rizzo - this tall double tiered console...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Willy Rizzo 2-tier rectangular coffee table or side sofa, model Flaminia.
Brass
$4,250
H 17.72 in W 31.5 in D 51.19 in
Willy Rizzo Style Mid-Century Brass and Chrome Bicolor Coffee Table, circa 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Romeo Rega
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Willy Rizzo 'Flaminia' style two tiered double shelved patinated brass and chrome-plated vintage midcentury rectangular coffee or centre table, circa 1970s. Perfect for the Hollywood...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Vintage Italian Cocktail Table by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning vintage Italian cocktail table designed by Willy Rizzo, circa 1970s. This table has an organic and minimalist design in which the elegance of the materials used in its const...
Stainless Steel
Very Rare Coffee Table by Roger Capron, circa 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Roger Capron, this French table features a ceramic tiled top set within a solid wooden frame. The tiles show Capron’s characteristic graphic and textural approach to cera...
Ceramic, Wood
Italian Vintage Chrome Table by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Austin, TX
Coffee table from mid-century Italy by renowned photographer and designer Willy Rizzo. This piece has a chrome structure with rectangular base. The top is brown glass. The top opens ...
Chrome
Willy Daro Bonsai Tree Brass Coffee Table, Belgium, 1970s
By Willy Daro
Located in Aachen, NW
Rare Bonsai tree coffee table made by Willy Daro, Belgium 1970s. Sculptural base with fine sanded glass top. Decorative floral elements made by brass with a wonderful patina. Thi...
Brass, Bronze
$3,850
H 16 in W 31.5 in D 19.75 in
Signed Willy Rizzo Two-Tier Chrome & Brass Coffee Table Smoked Glass Italy 60s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant two-tier coffee table signed Willy Rizzo made in Italy, circa 1965. Sturdy chrome frame with brass inlay and smoked glass tops. Space in between the glass is 7.5 inche...
Brass, Chrome
$2,125Sale Price|50% Off
H 13.78 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Large Brass and Chrome Coffee Table Willy Rizzo Model Flaminia, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests in your living room. Following the glamorous Italian Hollywood Regency look of other C...
Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo Console Cassia
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
Rizzo loved the simplicity and purity of Rationalism and was heavily inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic. Informed by his photographer’s eye, he sought visual...
Marble, Brass
$4,750
H 12.25 in W 49.25 in D 27.5 in
Mid Century Italian Coffee Table with Light, attributed to Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-century Italian coffee table, attributed to renowned designer and photographer Willy Rizzo. This piece has a chrome finished rectangular body and a brown plexiglass top. The piec...
Chrome
Sold
H 13.78 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Italian Mid-Century ALVEO Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo ALVEO series mid-century coffee table from 1970s. This table is an exclusive piece created with burl walnut veneer decorated with brass details on the corners an...
Brass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 50.4 in D 31.5 in
Italian Mid-Century ALVEO Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo ALVEO series midcentury coffee-cocktail table from 1970s. This table is an exclusive piece created with burl walnut veneer decorated with brass details on the c...
Brass
Willy Rizzo Alveo Coffee Table Mid Seventies
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bari, IT
A classic of Italian design ALVEO model coffee table designer Willy Rizzo production Mario Sabot from the 70s. Particular model because purple red lacquered wood. Born in Naples, he ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 18.12 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Mid-Century Brass, Chrome and Glass Top Side Tables by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
This pair of mid-century Italian side tables made of brass and chrome frame with smoked glass. Heavy and solid, very good condition (newly polished).
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Ends of Sofas in Chromed Metal, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of cubic sofa ends in chromed and gilded brass resting on four straight legs connected by spacer bars and opening with a drawer. Top and crotch windows...
Brass
Sold
H 30.25 in W 55 in D 13.38 in
Signed Willy Rizzo Two-Tier Chrome & Brass Console Table Smoked Glass Italy 60s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant two-tier console table signed Willy Rizzo made in Italy, circa 1965. Sturdy chrome frame with brass inlay and smoked glass tops. Mid-Century Modern minimalist design f...
Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo TRG Revolving Coffee Table, Italy, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Spectacular 'TRG' revolving coffee table designed by Willy (William) Rizzo and manufactured by Studio Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970. This is probably...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 13.59 in W 50.6 in D 31.5 in
Coffee / Sofa Table “Alveo” by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Regensburg, DE
Coffee / Sofa table “Alveo” by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s Black Formica laminate on wood. Chrome-plated corners and removable tray. Good, over-polished condition. One...
Metal, Chrome
Tavolino da salotto Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Catania, IT
Tavolino da salotto in ottone con laccatura in cromo e 2 ripiani di cristallo fumè disegnato da willy rizzo come attesta la firma sullo stesso.
Brass
Sold
H 13.27 in W 51.19 in D 31.66 in
Coffee Table, 1973, Alveo, Burr Thuya Brass Willy Rizzo Bar Bohemian Vintage
By Willy Rizzo
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This is a rare edition of the Alveo (riverbed) coffee table, retailed by Mario Sabot in Italy from 1972. The table is veneered in burr Thuya which is sought after for its beaut...
Brass
Willy Rizzo, Revolving Cocktail Table, Model TRG, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Stockholm, SE
Large model of TRG or Tavolo Rotondo Girevole, revolving coffee or cocktail table with ice bucket. Designed in 1967 by Willy Rizzo. Manufactured ...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Willy Rizzo Side Sofa
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Willy Rizzo model Flaminia side table, chrome and brass, one tier. $ 5900 for the pair.
Brass, Chrome