Willy Rizzo For Mario Sabot, Large Backlit Bookcase, 1970

Large double shelf / display case / bookcase in laminated wood and chromed metal moldings.
Attributed to or by Willy Rizzo, a renowned Italian designer whose work was distributed worldwide in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

Discreet lighting at the rear of the front uprights (see photo) comprising 8 neon tubes.
In very good original condition, no dents in the laminate or the chromed metal uprights.

Produced by Mario Sabot or Cidue in the 1970s.
Price negotiable.

Biography:
The Italian designer and photographer Willy Rizzo (1928–2013) made a name for himself in the 1960s as a photographer. During the 1970s, he developed a passion for interior design and launched a successful second career as a designer of luxury furniture.

Born in Naples in 1928, he began his career as a journalist in the 1940s. His reputation continued to grow, and he was soon hired by France Dimanche to photograph the rich and famous at events like the Cannes Film Festival.

Willy Rizzo's charm opened doors to royalty and dignitaries. He photographed dozens of stars, including Brigitte Bardot, Maria Callas, Salvador Dalí, Marlene Dietrich, Jane Fonda, Gene Kelly, and Gregory Peck. He also befriended celebrities like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Jack Nicholson.

In 1962, he captured some of Marilyn Monroe's final moments.

In 1968, Willy Rizzo began his career as a furniture designer in Rome, starting in his own apartment. Initially for personal use, he created a series of unique pieces inspired by modernist icons like Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier.

He gained an international reputation as a designer for the rich and famous. His team has 150 employees and he is opening stores in France and across Europe, as well as in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.