Pair of Signed Rotating Chairs by Willy Rizzo, 'Mini-Clubs'
View Similar Items
Pair of Signed Rotating Chairs by Willy Rizzo, 'Mini-Clubs'
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Rizzo (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.63 in (60 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2005
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Berlin, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4616227565142
Willy Rizzo
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.
- Polished Stainless Steel Library/ Room Divider by Willy Rizzo, SignedBy Willy RizzoLocated in Berlin, BerlinLibrary/ Room Divider, designed by Willy Rizzo. France, Willy Rizzo, 2012. A large contemporary bookcase/ room divider made of polished stainless steel construction with smoked glas...Category
2010s French Modern Shelves
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Black Coffee Table by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1972By Willy RizzoLocated in Berlin, BerlinCoffee table, designed by Willy Rizzo. Italy, Mario Sabot, Manzano (Udine) 1974. Model: Alveo, black Formica covered wooden table construction with inserted stainless steel tray/ ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Original black 3-door Sideboard by Willy RIZZO, Sabot 1972By Willy RizzoLocated in Berlin, BerlinBlack three-door Sideboard designed by Willy Rizzo. Italy, Mario Sabot, 1972. Black laminate and chrome detailed sideboard, designed by Willy Rizzo and produced by Mario Sabot. Two ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Credenzas
MaterialsLaminate
- Original 3-door Sideboard in black by Willy RIZZO, Sabot 1972By Willy RizzoLocated in Berlin, BerlinTwo-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 ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Credenzas
MaterialsLaminate
- PAIR of Diamond Chairs by Harry BERTOIA, KNOLL INTERNATIONALBy Harry BertoiaLocated in Berlin, BerlinA pair of original Diamond Chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia. U.S.A., Knoll International, 1970s Early production Diamond chairs in white and black painted metal with rust-orange ve...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames, Vitra, 1980sBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Berlin, BerlinPair of Lounge chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames. Germany, Vitra, 1986. Beautiful original lounge chairs with a black shell and subtle and used yellow leather upholstery. ...Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Bentwood
- Superb Pair of Suede Willy Rizzo Lounge Chairs, Signed Studio Willy Rizzo, 1969By Willy RizzoLocated in bergen op zoom, NLExtremely rare pair of signed Willy Rizzo lounge chairs finished in suede with stainless steel bases. These are very early examples which were produced by the 'Studio Willy Rizzo' in Rome in 1969, recognised by the Willy Rizzo signature in the fabric. Original Signed early period Willy Rizzo lounge chairs are very rare, 95% of the output of this design were produced as either two, three or four-seat sofas and the individual lounge chairs are very rarely seen on the market today. This iconic design featured prominently in the prestigious Italian design periodical 'Casa Vogue' throughout the early to mid-1970s including a feature on Rizzo ad Elsa Martinelli's own home in St Tropez, France in the October 1974 issue which illustrates this design. Please see image 4. These rare chairs have had their upholstery completely renovated including new seat support strapping, new foam and suede upholstery to the original specifications. The Willy Rizzo signatures from the original upholstery have been carefully cut from the original worn fabric and sown to the underside of each chair to maintain the authenticity. Photos of the restoration process are available on request. Please see image 10 as an example. Literature:- CASA VOGUE, October 1974 (features this design in the home of Elsa Martinelli and Willy Rizzo in St Tropez,France). See image 4 CASA VOGUE , JUNE 1975 CASA VOGUE, September 1975, Please see IMAGE 9 CASA VOGUE, November 1976, Please see IMAGE 8 Willy Rizzo is best known as a photographer. He began his illustrious 20 year career with Paris Match in 1948 which lead to him photographing some of the greatest names of the period. Rizzo was married to italian actress Elsa Martinelli,which gave him unparalleled access to the star names of the period and his cornucopia of sitters would include among others Brigitte Bardot, Sofia Loren...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair of "Junior" Chairs by Yrjö Kukkapuro, Finland, 1960sBy Yrjö KukkapuroLocated in Austin, TXBeautiful and rare pair of Junior armchairs designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro, manufactured by Haimi in Finland during the mid–1960s. Swivel chairs, made from...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal, Enamel
$5,120 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Leather King Chairs by Andre Vandenbeuck for Strässle SwitzerlandBy Andre Vandenbeuck, Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Grand Rapids, MISwitzerland, 1960s Pair of leather 'King Chair' swivel armchairs by Andre Vandenbeuck for Strässle Switzerland. They are upholstered in black leather and have sculpted arms in either...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Chrome
- 1960's Pair of Robin Day Rotating ChairsBy Robin DayLocated in Paris, FRA super stylish pair of 20th-century vintage chairs in expertly restored condition by the notable English designer Robin Day in the 1970s. This model is designed with a single leg ...Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$655 / item - Pair of Large Scale Upholstered Swivel ChairsLocated in New York, NYPair of large scale upholstered swivel chairs with tubular base.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
$9,800 / set - Pair of Mid-Century Modern Bucket Chairs by Nicos Zographos, circa 1960sBy Nicos ZographosLocated in New York, NYPair of Mid-Century Modern swivel bucket chairs designed by Nicos Zographos. Slightly worn under each seat; four star stainless steep alpha bases.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
