Willy Rizzo Italian Design Burl Birch Wood and Gilt Brass Cabinet, 1970s
View Similar Items
Willy Rizzo Italian Design Burl Birch Wood and Gilt Brass Cabinet, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Mario Sabot (Manufacturer),Willy Rizzo (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 69.3 in (176 cm)Depth: 18.51 in (47 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960-1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Firenze, IT
- Reference Number:Seller: Galleria Antonio Esposito di Chiara Esposito1stDibs: LU950313867781
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.
- Italian Neoclassical Faux Marble Lacquer and Giltwood Open Shelves CabinetsLocated in Firenze, ITAdd extra shelving and storage space to your living room, library or study with this important antique architecturally hand- carved open cabinets or bookcases in Neoclassical style. Crafted in Venice, Italy, during 19th Century, these elegant faux marble lacquer and parcel gilt display cabinets feature a gorgeous architectural shape with graduated giltwood cornice on top and a graduated giltwood moulded socle, a big niche with shelf across the front and a very spacious compartment with a door below. Wonderful scale and proportions, statement hight and width but depth narrow enought to place these storage case pieces of furniture even in an entryway hallow. This dramatic pair of Italian neoclassical bookcase...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Bookcases
MaterialsGiltwood, Wood, Lacquer
- 19th Century Italian Empire Mahogany Commode Two Doors CabinetLocated in Firenze, ITStriking mahogany 19th century Italian commode from the Empire period, circa 1815-1820. The straight, timeless shape combined with unique mahogany veneer makes this early 19th centur...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Cabinets
MaterialsMetal, Iron
- English George II Style Burl Walnut and Marquetry Chest on Stand or HighboyLocated in Firenze, ITThis very fine English late 19th-early 20th century (probably Victoria or Edward VII period) Georgian style chest on stand or highboy is made of the most finest burl walnut featuring...Category
Antique Late 19th Century British George II Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Four Doors Cabinets, Armoire or Dry BarLocated in Firenze, ITThese imposing solid mahogany cabinets with gilt bronze mounts in the style of the Louis XVI French Empire furnished the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. It has recen...Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Cabinets
MaterialsMetal, Bronze
- 1970s Italian Multicolored Glazed Ceramic Shell Centerpiece with Coral and CrabsBy Falco MarinoLocated in Firenze, ITThere is all the Italian artisan mastery in this exceptional Mid-Century Modern open worked large Majolica ornament centerpiece in the form of a long shell enriched with crab, seahorse and red coral perfectly shaped inside it. Looking at this sculpture you will feel the sound of the ocean. Every part of this colorful and powerful handmade marine themed composition is incredibly realistic and well made. The open shell depicted in a palette made of browns, pink, yellow and green contains a big red coral...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsCeramic, Majolica
- Mid Century Modern Italian Design Angelo Lelli Brass and Murano Glass ChandelierBy Arredoluce, Angelo LeliiLocated in Firenze, ITAn impressive eighteen-arm chandelier made of smoked brass with frosted murano glass lampshades attributed to Angelo Lelli, a rare iconic Mid Century Modern Italian design pendant with wonderful curved shape and beautiful decorative detailing designed by the founder and creative director of the celebrated lighting company Arredoluce. 18 scrolled arms branch out from a central sphere creating an eye-catching effect enhanced by tulip flower shaped brass bobeche each housing white frosted Murano glass lampshades. The tall lampshades have a conical form to simulate a stylized flower. The whole rests on round satin glass drip pans. For something truly awe-inspiring, you need look no further, this large scale vintage chandelier is truly an elegant...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Willy Rizzo - Cabinet Elm Burl WoodBy Mario Sabot, Willy RizzoLocated in London, GBWilly Rizzo cabinet, from the 1970s, it's a piece of history of furniture design. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- 'Alveo' Sideboard Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, circa 1970s ItalyBy Willy Rizzo, Mario SabotLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis 1970s 'Alveo' cabinet, which works excellent as a sideboard or small credenza, designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. The modern design consists of angled mirrored stainless s...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Sideboards
MaterialsStainless Steel
- 1970s Upcycled Birch Cabinet, CzechoslovakiaLocated in Praha, CZ- very good original conditon with minor signs of use - high gloss finish - iron legs added afterwards - two inner drawers and adjustable shelves.Category
Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsIron
- Willy Rizzo Smoked Glass Cabinet for Mario Sabot, 1970By Mario Sabot, Willy RizzoLocated in Voorburg, NLBeautiful Smoked glass cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s. The cabinet comes with smoked glass with accenting brass hardware. The frame of the cabinet is made of ...Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- 1970s Willy Rizzo steel, wood and light color alcantara Bar CabinetBy Willy RizzoLocated in ITSemi-curved 1970s bar cabinet with 12 cm thick steel and wood shelves. Willy Rizzo attribution. The inside walls of the cabinet and the lining of t...Category
Vintage 1970s Cabinets
MaterialsSteel
- 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
