Rare Willy Rizzo Rocking Chair in Black Steel and White Leather
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Rizzo (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.34 in (74.5 cm)Width: 22.64 in (57.5 cm)Depth: 67.92 in (172.5 cm)Seat Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Waalwijk, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
- Rare Jordi Vilanova 'Tartera' Rocking ChairBy Jordi Vilanova i BoschLocated in Waalwijk, NLJordi Vilanova i Bosch,' Tartera' rocking chair, boxwood, beech, and fabric, Spain, design 1966, manufacture 1960s. This wonderful rocking chair is made of two symmetrical side piec...Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech, Boxwood
- Rare Jordi Vilanova Pair of 'Tartera' Rocking ChairsBy Jordi Vilanova i BoschLocated in Waalwijk, NLJordi Vilanova i Bosch,' pair of Tartera' rocking chairs, boxwood, beech, and fabric, Spain, design 1966, manufacture 1960s. These two wonderful rocking chairs are made of two symmetrical side pieces, which integrate the structure of the backrest, arms, legs and swinging arch in the same gesture. The continuity of all these components draws on an oval gap in the center of what is perceived as a single wooden plate, emphasizing its unity. Both sides are joined by four wooden cylinders, two at the bottom, next to the arches, and two more at the top, which serve to hold the ends of the seat and back, forming a single padded piece of sackcloth. The Tartera chairs are usually upholstered with a leather seating, making this version more rare. Jordi Vilanova i Bosch (1925-1998) was a Catalan interior designer. He was trained as a cabinetmaker and later on developed his skills to design furniture. In 1960, he founded the multidisciplinary group 'La Cantonada' and he was founder and promoter of the Catalan Art...Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Boxwood, Fabric
- Studio Cassina '572 Rocking' Chair in Ebonized Wood and Red UpholsteryBy CassinaLocated in Waalwijk, NLCassina, lounge chair model 572, darkened wood and red fabric, Italy, 1950s. This rocking chair in ebonized wood is designed and produced by the Italian company Cassina. This chair ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Willy Rizzo 'Love' Table Lamps in Chrome and CopperBy Willy RizzoLocated in Waalwijk, NLWilly Rizzo, table lamps, model 'Love', chrome, copper, plastic, Italy, 1970s This distinctive table lamp is designed by Willy Rizzo in the early 1970s. The design is carried out th...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCopper, Chrome
- Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in White UpholsteryBy Willy Rizzo, Mario SabotLocated in Waalwijk, NLWilly Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, fabric, ultrasuede, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo and consists of a three-seater, two-seater, a...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Ultrasuede, Wood
- Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Pair of Lounge Chairs in LeatherBy Giovanni Offredi, SaporitiLocated in Waalwijk, NLGiovanni Offredi for Saporiti, lounge chairs, leather, wood, metal, Italy, 1970s Cubic pair of lounge chairs designed by Giovanni Offredi. Offredi. This design features thick leathe...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Gebruder Thonet Bentwood Rocking Chaise Lounge ChairBy Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbHLocated in Chicago, ILGebruder Thonet bentwood rocking chaise lounge chair Scarcely seen model no. 7500. Designed 1880-1883. This model appears to be stamped JJ...Category
20th Century Art Nouveau Chaise Longues
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Gray Leather Armchair and Ottoman with Brushed Steel ArmsLocated in Middleburg, VAThe Mid-Century Modern gray leather armchair and ottoman set with Brushed Steel Arms is a great example of mid-century modern design. The recent...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsSteel
- Franco Albini & Franca Helg for Poggi, Mid-century Rocking Chair Mod. PS16, 1956By Franco Albini and Franca Helg, PoggiLocated in Milan, ITFranco Albini & Franca Helg for Poggi, Italian Mid-century Wooden Rocking Lounge Chair Model PS16 Manufactured by Poggi, Pavia, Italy. Together with a certificate of authenticity ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Sculptural Walnut Rocking Chaise Lounge in Soft Butterscotch Shearling c. 1980Located in Saint Louis, MOThe type of piece you set in an nook with a great view or in a glass walled bedroom overlooking a bustling city, you'll wind down like a celebrity in this 1980s walnut rocking chaise lounge professionally restored and newly upholstered in soft and luxurious hand sewn butterscotch cream shearling. California Modern. Organic Modern. This piece is meant to belong to a forward thinking creative or entrepreneur who values the wisdom in reflection. Just looking at the chaise lounge from afar gives an air of high art, high design and high fashion. A pedestal of sorts. Original stain highlights the rich walnut grain. Cushioned seat upholstered in sections of only the best hand sewn butterscotch cream shearling. Triple tuft head cushion invites you to settle in and comfortably recline. Photos with model are of a prior chaise sold and are included for purposes of demonstrating scale. Model is 5' 8". Ready to ship...Category
Mid-20th Century American Organic Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsHide, Sheepskin, Walnut
- Art Deco Adolf Loos Style Josef Frank Fabric Vintage Rocking Lounge Chair 1920sBy Adolf LoosLocated in Vienna, ATArt Deco rocking lounge chair model "Knieschwimmer" in the style of Adolf Loos from the 1920s. An amazing rocking lounge chair with a frame and rocking curves from solid cherrywood a...Category
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Chaise Longues
MaterialsFabric, Cherry
- 1940s Rocking Chaise Lounge by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn adjustable rocking chaise with caned seat and back with bent ash frame and a cushion upholstered in grey savak with natural leather welting.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsWool, Cane, Ash
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.