1970s Willy Rizzo Style Italian Plexiglass and Nickel-Plated Brass Tray

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Description

Please kindly read the entire description, as we strive to provide you with detailed technical and historical information to ensure … Read more Please kindly read the entire description, as we strive to provide you with detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our items.
This refined and original plexiglass tray features a linear structure made of solid nickel-plated brass bars via an electroplating process. The plexiglass part is firmly embedded and glued to the back of the structure (see photo of the tray's back). This assembly creates an aesthetic lightness and gives the tray a sleek and modern appearance. The tray was made in the style of the famous Italian designer Willy Rizzo and produced between 1975 and 1980 in an artisan workshop in Brianza (Lombardy, Italy). It represents a classic example of the modernist design of that period, characterized by clean lines, high-quality materials, and an elegant, minimalist aesthetic. Brianza is an area that includes several cities such as Meda, Desio, and Cantù, famous for producing high-quality furniture. Many furniture companies in this active area of Lombardy produced pieces in the Willy Rizzo style, characterized by meticulous attention to detail and the use of fine materials. Willy Rizzo (1928-2013) is particularly known for his brass and glass furniture pieces. Rizzo began his career as a photographer, working for major fashion and portrait magazines, including "Paris Match." His experience in photography influenced his eye for design and composition, leading him to create furniture that combined functionality with a visually appealing aesthetic. Willy Rizzo collaborated with several prestigious companies and craft workshops during his career, helping to bring his unique designs to the international market. Rizzo's objects often feature clean, geometric lines, with brass frames polished to a mirror finish for a luxurious effect and often nickel-plated. The craftsmen who created this tray followed Rizzo's design guidelines with extreme skill, playing with contrasting materials and luxurious finishes. The use of polished and nickel-plated brass lends sturdiness and a touch of opulence, creating a functional and decorative object that has become iconic due to its timeless elegance and quality craftsmanship. Workshops and small businesses in Brianza have played a crucial role in the production of Willy Rizzo-style objects, thanks to their long tradition of craftsmanship and the presence of numerous designers and specialized factories. These artifacts, known for their elegance and quality, reflect the excellence of Italian design. Plexiglass, Perspex, and Lucite are different brands of the same basic material, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a transparent thermoplastic often used as an alternative to glass. Although other transparent plastics are available, such as polycarbonate, PMMA is often preferred because of its combination of transparency, lightweight, and ease of processing. It is more impact-resistant than glass, although less durable than other plastics; it is lighter than glass, making it easier to handle and install; it can be easily cut, drilled, machined, and glued, making it very versatile for various uses; it has good weather resistance, so it can be used outdoors without yellowing or degrading easily.
• Plexiglass: registered trademark of Röhm GmbH, one of the first companies to produce PMMA.
• Perspex: registered trademark of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in the United Kingdom, another major PMMA manufacturer.
• Lucite: trademark registered by DuPont (and later Lucite International), used mainly in North America.
The tray is in good condition. Measurements: width 49 cm, depth 39 cm, height 3 cm.
We use special packaging materials (wooden crates, Styrofoam, etc.) for all our shipments to ensure maximum protection and safety of the items. See less