Had Cini Boeri been a man, the Milanese architect and furniture designer, who died in 2020 at age 96, might be regarded today on par with such visionaries of the mid-20th century as Gio Ponti or Marco Zanuso. She worked with both. Although she’s well known and deeply respected in Italy, her renown elsewhere has been more akin to a cult following.
“I admire the work she did across architecture, interiors and furniture,” designer Faye Toogood says of Boeri’s impact. “She practiced architecture during a time when it was considered that women were too fragile to work outside.”
Boeri was one of very few women of her era to graduate from Milan Polytechnic with an architecture degree, which she did in 1951. Her illustrious career hinged on the strict economy of her designs and limited palette of materials. For example, her innovative 1971 Serpentone sofa for Arflex was crafted from just one material, polyurethane foam, and sold by the meter. Her ingenious 1987 Ghost chair for Fiam was cut from a single sheet of thick glass.
But in Boeri’s earlier days, her pieces displayed a more youthful exuberance. The circa 1968 Cubotto cabinet, produced in small numbers by Arflex, is an elegantly irregular arrangement of eight drawers of varying dimensions. The wooden cube, two feet square, was finished in laminate — in vivid orange, blue, sand or white — with color-coordinated casters and handles of black-enameled brass. Its design reflects a Space Age interest in flexible, space-saving, multiuse furnishings.
“It’s a very clean piece of design,” says Kaisha Davierwalla, owner and founder of Vaspaar Italy. “Even with its strong, square lines, somehow the vibrant colors and asymmetry have the feel of a feminine touch.”
Find vintage Cini Boeri seating, lighting and tables on 1stDibs.
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Armchair for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” armchair for Gavina, camel velvet, Italy, 1970. Designed in 1970 by Cini Boeri for Gavina, this armchair belongs to the iconic “Gradual System”—a groundb...
Velvet
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofas for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” two-seater sofas for Gavina, Italy, 1970, set of 2 Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the “Gradual System” by Cini Boeri rede...
Velvet
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofa for Gavina, Black Leather, 1970
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” two-seater sofa for Gavina, black velvet, Italy, 1970 Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the “Gradual System” by Cini Boeri is a visionary example of modular d...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Mohair Velvet, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” two-seater sofa for B&B Italia, mohair velvet, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The startin...
Foam, Velvet
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Sofa for Gavina, Brown Leather, 1962
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” sofa for Gavina, brown leather, Italy, 1962 The "Bastiano" sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, designed fo...
Leather, Wood
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Armchairs for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” armchairs for Gavina, camel velvet, Italy, 1970, set of 2. Designed in 1970 by Cini Boeri for Gavina, this armchair bel...
Velvet
Cassina Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sofa; Afra; Tobia; Scarpa; Cassina; Soriana; Settee; Couch; Italy; 1970's; Hollywood Regency; Minimalist; Italian Design; Soriana sofa in original upholstery, designed by Afra &...
Wool
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Cini Boeri “Gradual” Sofa for Knoll International, Italy, 1972 Rare “Gradual” sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International in 1972. Upholste...
Leather
Mario Bellini for B&B "Le Bambole" camel velvet two-seater sofa, 1970s
Located in Quarrata, IT
Two-seater sofa, model "Le Bambole", designed by Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini in 1970s and manufactured by B&B Italia. This iconic piece of 1970s avant-garde design i...
Jute, Velvet
Vintage Sofa "Gradual Lounge" by Cini Boeri for Knoll Gavina, Italy, 1970s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Sofa "Gradual Lounge" is an original design item realized it Italy in 1970s. Top Rare sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Knowll Gavina. A totally innovative modular syste...
Leather
Ciuingam sofa by De Pas D' Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Bonacina, Italy 1967
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Ciuingam 3 seater sofa designed by the designer trio De Pas D' Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Bonacina in 1967. Foam rubber padding, original leather, plastic. Good condition, the skin is slightly worn in the sitting. Jonathan De Pas (Milan 1932 - Florence 1991), Donato D'Urbino (Milan 1935) and Paolo Lomazzi (Milan 1936). They founded their Studio in 1966, after previous professional experiences, both individually, and in association with other architects. Their interests range from industrial design, furnishing and set-up to urban planning and architecture. They affirmed themselves in the 60s as exponents of the unconventional design of pop trend: famous is the Blow armchair...
Rubber, Plastic, Leather
Bastiano Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Bastiano sofa, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 1970s. Sofa features a solid black-stained wooden structure and original red upholstered cushions.
Fabric, Wood
The Italian designer’s playful piece offers an elegant storage solution.
The architect has imbued the minimalist-chic Tel Aviv stay with his signature style, while at the same time honoring the site's long history.
