Midcentury Willy Rizzo Burl Wood and Chrome Credenza, Italy, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Rizzo (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 71.66 in (182 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Baambrugge, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933318136472
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Baambrugge, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Brutalist Ebonized Oak Credenza, Black and Red, De Coene, 1970sBy De Coene FrèresLocated in Baambrugge, NLLarge, vintage sideboard in Brutalist style. This sideboard has black (ebonized) wood with red contrasting panels. Beautiful timeless design with 4 graphic doors and 3 central drawer...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Brutalist Credenzas
MaterialsOak
- Midcentury Spanish Oak CredenzaLocated in Baambrugge, NLMidcentury Spanish oak credenza. Stunning colonial, brutalist style solid oak sideboard. With three door with double arched panels. Lar...Category
Vintage 1940s Spanish Credenzas
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Midcentury Italian Mahogany Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950sBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Baambrugge, NLSideboard by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s. Beautiful design with ribbed laquered body and mahogany veneer on the sides, drawers and top in beautiful V pattern. With glass plate on t...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGlass, Mahogany, Ash, Pine
- Mid-Century Spanish Oak CredenzaLocated in Baambrugge, NLMid-century Spanish oak credenza. Beautiful Spanish colonial style solid oak sideboard. With four panelled doors and large wrought iron hinges and...Category
Vintage 1940s Spanish Credenzas
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Mid 20th Century Spanish Oak Credenza 1940sLocated in Baambrugge, NLMid 20th Century Spanish Oak credenza from the 1940s. Stunning solid oak sideboard with typical arched doors and large wrought iron hinges. With w...Category
Vintage 1940s Spanish Credenzas
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Midcentury Italian Willy Rizzo Faux Tortoisshell Cross Leg Tray TableBy Willy RizzoLocated in Baambrugge, NLBeautiful midcentury tortoiseshell tray table produced in Italy during the 1970s. The design for this Italian piece of serveware is attributed to Wi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsAluminum
- Italian Burl Elm Credenza by Willy RizzoBy Willy RizzoLocated in Houston, TXAn Italian burl elm chrome brass and chrome credenza by Willy Rizzo, circa 1968.Category
20th Century Italian Credenzas
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- Chrome and Burl Wood Credenza in the Style of Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970Located in Rome, ITFine burl wood rare credenza in the style of Willy Rizzo. The chrome accents, along the clean lines of the piece, serve to emphasize the richness of the wood as well as lend a subtle...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBurl
- Chrome and Burl Wood Credenza in the Style of Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970Located in Rome, ITFine burl wood rare credenza in the style of Willy Rizzo. The chrome accents, along the clean lines of the piece, serve to emphasize the richness of the wood as well as lend a subtle...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBurl
- Chrome and Burl Wood Credenza in the Style of Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970Located in Rome, ITFine burl wood rare credenza in the style of Willy Rizzo. The chrome accents, along the clean lines of the piece, serve to emphasize the richness of the wood as well as lend a subtle...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBurl
- Vintage italian burl wood credenza, 1970sBy Willy RizzoLocated in HEVERLEE, BEFresh from Italy is this High quality burl wood sideboard/credenza in the manner of Willy Rizzo. This piece has been built with extremely high quality and is finished in burl wood a...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Sideboards
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Midcentury Burl Wood and Black Lacquered Credenza by DirectionalBy DirectionalLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful midcentury burl wood and black lacquered credenza attributed to Milo Baughman for Directional in the United States, circa 1970s. This credenza perfectly exemplifies the modern and daring ideas of Milo Baughman, which not only could exceptionally mix different materials but also turned out to be highly functional and seductive to the eye of the beholder. It features a black polished lacquered case, which seems to shine at all times due to its finish. On the front face, it has four burl wood doors with smooth faces and no handles...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBurl, Lacquer