Skip to main content

Willy Rizzo Chairs

Italian, 1928-2013

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.

to
1
8
9
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2
2
5
1
3
2
9
1
6
1
5
6
4
4
4
3
9
8
9
9
9
106
389
348
300
271
Creator: Willy Rizzo
Pair of vintage 1970s chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in None, IT
Pair of chairs with wooden frame and orange fabric seat, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear and tear given by time ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair chairs in the style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of chairs in the style of Willy Rizzo 1960s Products that reflect the age of the 20th century. Mid-centurymodern. Modernity for interior decora...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Nickel, Brass

Willy Rizzo saddle leather chair cognac Cidue - 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Willy Rizzo saddle leather chair cognac Cidue - 1970/80s Chair - Willy Rizzo - Italian design Measures : 46cmx46cm H:80cm SH:44cm Material : Base material: steel frame covered with l...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Metal

Willy Rizzo C2 70s Production Chromed Steel Frame Gray Vintage Leather Set of 4
By Willy Rizzo
Located in IT
Willy Rizzo chairs C2 70s production with chromed steel frame and gray vintage leather seats. Set of 4 chairs. The seat has been re upholstered with vintage leather. The chairs are in excellent condition, the steel shows only light signs of use. Set of 4 chairs. Measurements: L seat 45 cm, total P 55 cm, H 83 cm, seat P 41...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 Dining Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot and Sormani, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Sormani
Located in Roma, IT
Set of 4 vintage black lacquered chairs with natural brushed leather seat, realized by Willy Rizzo for Sormani in 1970s. Fully original and in excellent condition. Seat height 45 c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Metal

Four Willy Rizzo dining chairs
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, FR
Four dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo, circa 1970 Italy. Chrome structure. New Alcantara upholstery.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 4 Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Set of 4 black leather chairs realized by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot in 1970s. Black lacquered curved wooden structure, seat with metal foil edging and seat in black leather. Very g...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-century modern six wooden chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Mid-century modern six wooden chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s Set of six chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s. The combination of clean lines, high-quality...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Willy Rizzo Dining Chairs for Mario Sabon
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Unique Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot set off four dining chairs made of curved wood lacquered in black shiny colour and leather padded cushions, custom made for these chairs, and hold ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Related Items
A Set of Four Chinese Dining Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
These contemporary Chinese chairs feature hardwood construction and elegant, traditional curved back splats for maximum comfort. The chairs are finished in...
Category

1990s Chinese Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Elm

Vintage German Bauhaus Icon Black Leather & Chrome S33 Chair by Mart Stam, 1960s
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This S33 chair by Mart Stam is a design icon from 1926. It was produced by the German Thonet manufactory. Our piece comes from the 1960s. It is the first can...
Category

1960s German Bauhaus Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mario Sabot, Set of 6 Chairs in Lacquered Wood and Steel , Italy
By Mario Sabot
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Mario Sabot, Set of 6 Chairs in Lacquered Wood and steel Italy 1960 there are lacks of paint on the top of all the chairs the upholstery needs to be redone the model table is offere...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Four Dining Chairs Beech Blue Willy Rizzo 1960s Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage set of four ( 4 ) dining room chairs from brown stained beech and upholstered seats new covered with blue velvet by Willy Rizzo 1960s Italy. A beautiful s...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

Cidue Set of Four Dining Chairs in Dark Brown Leather and Chrome
By Cidue
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cidue, set of four chairs, chrome, leather, Italy 1970s. Cantilevered dining room chairs with chromed flat tubular steel frame. The seating and back are from thick dark brown colore...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Bauhaus Skaala Fabric & Chrome Chair by Yrjö Kukkapuro, 1980s, Set of 4
By Yrjö Kukkapuro, Avarte, Finland 1
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of four Skaala chairs was designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro for the Finnish Avarte manufacture during the 1980s. Due to their modern and minimal look, they will easily find their place in the living room or office. The Skaala chair perfectly reflects Kukkapuro's love for ergonomic furniture. This innovative combination of aesthetics and functionality refers to idea from Bauhaus school. The frame is made of chrome-plated goldish metal. The seat and backrest are upholstered with high-quality gray fabric, and additional armrests are made of birch plywood. Yrjö Kukkapuro is a Finnish furniture designer. He is the important person of Finnish functionalism. He has mainly been working as a freelance designer since the 1950s, and most of the furniture he designed early in his career is still in production. "Does it make sense to design a chair that is not comfortable to sit on?" - this is one of Kukkapuro's favorite sayings, which perfectly reflects the designer's love of ergonomic furniture. His designs aim at a subtle balance between functionality and aesthetics - a perfect example of this is the Karuselli chair by Artek and other iconic designs such as the Saturnus table, the Skaala chair, the Remmi series, and the Ateljee armchair and sofa. In his career, Kukkapuro has received many national and international awards - incl. Lunning Prize in 1966, First Prize at the International Chair Design Competition in Italy in 1972 and the Kaj Franck Design Prize in 1995. His works are permanently present in museums around the world, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, MoMA in New York and Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Avarte was established as a continuation of the family company Haimi. In 1980, Haimi employees acquired the company for themselves and changed the company name to Avarte. Haimi was a Finnish furniture manufacturer founded in 1943 that was especially known as the producer of Yrjö Kukkapuro designs. Avarte continued to manufacture furniture until 2013, when the company ha been ceased. In addition to Yrjö Kukkapuro's designs, Avarte also produced furniture designed by Samula Naamanka, Mikko Paakkanen and Simo Heikkilä...
Category

1980s Finnish Bauhaus Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of Four Danish Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Danish dining chairs. The wood is Afromosia. WE HAVE 10 OF THESE CHAIRS. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Four Danish Dining Chairs
Set of Four Danish Dining Chairs
H 30.5 in W 20 in D 20.5 in
Set of 5 Cantilever Armchairs in Leather by Matteo Grassi, Model MG15, Italy 70s
By Marcel Breuer, Matteo Grassi
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 5 Vintage cantilever armchairs in patinated red / cognac colored leather by Matteo Grassi, made in Italy, 1970s. Stamped. The chairs are strongly reminiscent of bauhaus works ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Bauhaus Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Steel

Four Willy Rizzo Style Black Leather Tubular Cidue Barstools Mid-Century Modern
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three stitched leather, slim profile side, stools or barstools in the style of legendary designer Willy Rizzo and manufactured by Cidue. Italian made is the late 1970s or early 1980s...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-century modern six wooden chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Mid-century modern six wooden chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy 1970s Set of six chairs by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s. The combination of clean lines, high-quality...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Brass and Velvet Italian Chairs in the Style of the 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
A striking pair of Italian side chairs with a gracefully tapered brass frame and sculptural ladder backrest. The re-upholstered lime green velvet seat cushions add a playful yet eleg...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Brass

Vintage Sofa Set by Mario Sabot, 1970s
By Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
The set includes a two-seater velvet sofa and two velvet armchairs. Tubular chromed metal structure, velvet upholstery. Realized by Mario Sabot Atelier in Italy in 1970s. Armchairs...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Foam

Vintage Sofa Set by Mario Sabot, 1970s
Vintage Sofa Set by Mario Sabot, 1970s
H 27.56 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Previously Available Items
sedie Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vezzano Sul Crostolo, IT
Set di 6 sedie disegnate da Willy Rizzo e prodotte da Mario Sabot anni 70. Struttura in metallo ottonata in buone condizioni. Tessuto in velluto sostituito.
Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

sedie Willy Rizzo
sedie Willy Rizzo
H 30.32 in W 18.9 in D 16.93 in
Set of 6 pcs. Mid-Century Italian Chrome/Velvet Chairs by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Mid-Century Italian chrome frame chairs by Willy Rizzo from 1970's. The chairs are with new high quality black color velour/velvet upholstery. Very good/excellent vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 5 Willy Rizzo chairs in Chrome and Leather for Cidue, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in The Hague, NL
Beautifully patinated dark red/brown dining-room chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. As we are used from Willy Rizzo we see a good combination between the two materials used in this cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Willy Rizzo SQ-BR Chair in Navy Blue Peccary Skin
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
Original model, chair produced by Studio Willy Rizzo Paris, the Estate of the Artist. SQ BR-CHAIRS x2 Square Chairs with arms, in brass patinated b...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Willy Rizzo Six Black Lacquered Wood & Green Velvet Italian Chairs
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid Century modern set of six chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. Made of black lacquered wood structure. Seat reupholstered in green cotton velvet with polished steel fr...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 Black Leather Chrome Cantilever Chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue Italy
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 4 dining or accent chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. A stunning set of vintage Italian designed cantilever chairs, iconic and minimal. These chairs feature a chrome ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Leather

Set of 4 Willy Rizzo chairs in Chrome and Leather for Cidue, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in The Hague, NL
Beautifully patinated dark cognac brown dining-room chairs by Willy Rizzo for Cidue. As we are used from Willy Rizzo we see a good combination between the two materials used in this ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Dining Chairs, Italy, circa 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Dining Chairs, Italy, circa 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Willy Rizzo Six Black Lacquered Wood & Green Velvet Italian Chairs
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid Century modern set of six chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. Made of black lacquered wood structure. Seat reupholstered in green cotton velvet with polished steel fr...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set Fo 6 Dining Chairs Designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Conversano, IT
Amazing set composed of six iconic Space Age style chairs designed by the Master Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot 1970s. The chairs are all in excellent conditions, in mahogany beech w...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Textile, Velvet, Wood

Group of 6 Chairs W. Rizzo for M. Sabot Beech, Italy 70s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 6 chairs in stained beech wood with foam padding and fabric covering.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 Willy Rizzo chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Chairs

Materials

Metal

Willy Rizzo chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Rizzo chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Willy Rizzo chairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Willy Rizzo were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Tobia Scarpa, and Carlo Bartoli. Prices for Willy Rizzo chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $579 and can go as high as $10,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,050.

Recently Viewed

View All