Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
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.
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
Fabric
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 82.68 in D 43.31 in
Selection of Willy Rizzo sofas available, we can restore, choose your own fabric.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This iconic sofa was designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969 and is published in many of the interior design journals of the period. This design was illustrated in Casa Vogue's feature on Rizzo's own home in St Tropez,France in their October 1974 issue. The sofa is finished in brown suede. We have a further selection of these Willy Rizzo sofas...
Suede, Wood
$5,332
H 25.6 in W 97.25 in D 64.38 in
Italian modern Beige fabric Modular sofa by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s
By Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Beige fabric Modular sofa by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s Modular and corner sofa, fully padded and covered in brown-beige linen fabric. The sofa is composed of 3 simp...
Fabric
$22,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 82.68 in D 41.25 in
Willy Rizzo Super C Sofa Set with Wood Base and Ultra-suede Upholstery, 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This modular sofa set designed by Willy Rizzo features one three-seater module and two single-seat modules, upholstered with camel ultra-suede. The modular aspect of Rizzo’s design a...
Ultrasuede, Wood
$19,839 / set
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Divano Super C di Willy Rizzo modulare in pelle di cinghiale 6 moduli
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Ghedi, IT
Prodotta dall’Atelier Willy Rizzo, questa composizione modulare incarna lo stile sofisticato e glamour tipico del designer italiano, noto per i suoi arredi che fondono linee pulite c...
Leather
Papillonne Three Seater Sofa
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Standing out in every field with its eye-catching modern design approach and material variety, the PAPILLONNE series brings a brand new face to spaces with its minimal appearance. PA...
Fabric, Faux Leather
Famed Three Seater Sofa
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The famed three seater sofa harmoniously combines fabric with brass adding an impressionable air of quality to your space... Measures: Length: 84.7'' / Depth: 33.1'' / Height: 30.3'' / Seat Height: 17.7'' Materials: -Brass -First Grade...
Brass
Svend Ellekær Three Seat Sofa
By Sven Ellekaer
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Svend Ellekær Manufacturer: Rolschau Møbler Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood, Leather, Wool Measurements: 78.75? wide Condition: In excellent origina...
Leather, Wool, Rosewood
Hans J. Wegner Three-Seat Sofa
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans J. Wegner three-seat sofa new upholstered with Hallingdal from Kvadrat. Original Epeda cushions. Frame in solid oak. Model 236/3, produced by GETAMA.
Wool, Oak
Vintage Floral Three-Seat Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exquisite vintage floral three‑seater sofa, beautifully framed in warm, polished wood that showcases mid‑century charm with a timeless twist. Perfect addition to any space in need of...
Wood

Four-Seat Sofa by Wegner for GETAMA
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
An extra large version of the Wegner sofa for GETAMA. The four-seat sofa is preserved with original striped wool upholstery and oak hardwood legs. Frame is in good sturdy conditi...
Wool, Oak

Wall-Mounted Coat Rack with Mirror by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in New York, NY
Vintage, sculptural wall-mounted coat rack with mirror by Georges Jouve and Marcel Asselbur. 4 black, ceramic hooks with gilded metal arms attached to m...
Mirror

Bulbone Sconce and Flush Mount in Blue by Barbieri & Marianelli for Tronconi
By Tronconi, Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bulbone wall and ceiling lamp by Barbieri & Marianelli for Tronconi Painted in blue with ribbed, aluminum structure with pressed acid etched glass diffuser. Rewired to US ...
Metal

Bulbo Sconce and Flush Mount in Red by Barbieri & Marianelli for Tronconi
By Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli, Tronconi
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bulbo wall and ceiling lamp by Barbieri & Marianelli for Tronconi Painted in red with ribbed, aluminum structure with pressed acid etched glass diffuser. Rewired to US com...
Metal
Bulbo Sconce and Flush Mount in Yellow by Barbieri & Marianelli for Tronconi
By Tronconi, Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bulbo wall and ceiling lamp by Barbieri & Marianelli for Tronconi Painted in yellow with ribbed, aluminum structure with pressed acid etched glass diffuser. Rewired to US co...
Metal
Pillow Chair by Ash - Mint Velvet
By ASH NYC
Located in New York, NY
The Ash Pillow Chair, everyone’s favorite companion reimagined in a new textile in four luscious colorways. A comfortable, custom-woven, fully upholst...
Velvet