Overview
A striking set of six SQ dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s, distinguished by their rigorous geometric construction and sophisticated contrast between brushed steel and black vegan-leather upholstery. With their slender architectural frames, curved backrests and minimalist profile, the chairs perfectly embody the refined and glamorous language associated with 1970s Italian design.
Description
This elegant set of six SQ chairs, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s, is characterized by an exceptionally clean and architectural composition, this specific SQ model is currently out of production.
Each chair is built around a slender brushed steel frame with a square-section profile, whose continuous geometric lines define both the structure and the visual identity of the piece. The front legs descend vertically from the seat, while the rear structure continues downward and bends forward at floor level, creating the distinctive rectangular sled-like profile visible from the side.
The rigor of the metal construction is softened by the gently curved backrest, which follows a subtle concave line and introduces an elegant sense of movement into an otherwise strongly geometric design.
Both the seat and backrest are upholstered in black vegan-leather, creating a sophisticated monochromatic surface that contrasts beautifully with the cooler metallic finish of the brushed steel.
The result is a particularly balanced design: visually light yet strongly architectural, minimalist in construction while retaining the glamorous character typical of Italian interiors of the 1970s.
Offered as a set of six, these chairs create a particularly striking ensemble around a dining or conference table, where the repetition of their precise metal structures emphasizes the graphic quality of the design.
Design & Function
The SQ chairs are based on a clear dialogue between straight structural lines and subtle curves.
The square-section steel frame creates a continuous architectural outline around the upholstered elements, while the gently curved backrest provides both visual softness and support. An open section between the seat and backrest further lightens the composition, giving the chairs an almost suspended appearance when viewed from the front.
Their relatively restrained proportions and visually open construction make them particularly versatile as dining chairs, while the repetition of the metal geometry becomes especially effective when the six examples are arranged together.
Materials & Aesthetic
The aesthetic character of the SQ chair comes primarily from the contrast between brushed steel and black vegan-leather.
The steel structure has a restrained metallic finish rather than a highly reflective appearance, emphasizing the precision of its square-section construction. Against this cool architectural framework, the black upholstered seat and backrest introduce depth, texture and softness.
The upholstery follows the essential geometry of the chair without unnecessary decorative elements, allowing the construction itself to become the principal aesthetic feature.
The combination of black and steel gives the chairs a timeless, sophisticated character that works equally well within a 1970s interior and alongside contemporary collectible design.
Technical Details
Product: Willy Rizzo Six Italian SQ Brushed Steel and Black Vegan-Leather Dining Chairs
Designer: Willy Rizzo
Manufacturer: Maison Willy Rizzo
Period: 1970s
Materials: Brushed steel, black eco-leather upholstery
Dimensions: Width: 48cm | Depth: 46cm | Height: 76,5cm | Height of the seat: 46cm
Condition: Please note that this item is in good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to take these characteristics into consideration before purchasing.There is a small tear on the back of the backrest of one of the chairs, as shown in the photographs.
Collectibility
The SQ chairs are an excellent example of Willy Rizzo’s sophisticated 1970s design language, combining strong architectural geometry with luxurious yet restrained materials. The availability of six matching examples, out of production, makes the set particularly appealing for collectors and interiors requiring a complete and visually coherent dining ensemble.
Their graphic steel construction, curved upholstered backrests and unmistakably 1970s black-and-metal palette give the chairs a strong decorative presence without compromising their remarkably clean and timeless appearance.
Designer
Willy Rizzo (1928–2013) was an Italian photographer and designer whose distinctive creative career moved between photography, fashion, interiors and furniture design. After establishing himself internationally as a photographer, Rizzo progressively developed his own highly recognizable approach to furniture, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.
His designs are characterized by strong architectural geometries, refined proportions and a sophisticated use of materials, frequently combining metal finishes, lacquered surfaces, glass, leather and other luxurious materials. Rather than following the more strictly functionalist tendencies of post-war Italian design, Rizzo developed a language closely associated with the cosmopolitan glamour and refined interiors of the 1970s.
An important chapter of his career was his relationship with Aldo Tura and, subsequently, the Tura company in Milan. The relationship originated from personal friendship and mutual esteem between Rizzo and Aldo Tura and later developed into a selective design and commercial collaboration. During the 1970s, Tura produced a parchment-covered interpretation of one of Rizzo’s table designs and also distributed selected seating designed by him, including chairs from the SQ family.
Rizzo was also closely connected with Nucci Valsecchi, an important figure within Milanese design culture and the Tura world. In 1970, Valsecchi opened a new Milanese store in collaboration with her friend Willy Rizzo, creating a meeting point between Tura and leading international designers. Their professional relationship would also contribute to projects connecting the distinctive languages of Rizzo, Valsecchi and Tura Milano during the 1970s.
This network of collaborations placed Rizzo within a particularly sophisticated chapter of Italian design, where furniture, fashion, photography and interior decoration increasingly intersected. Today, his work is especially appreciated for its ability to capture the international, glamorous and architectural spirit of 1970s design while maintaining a remarkably timeless visual identity.
