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.
Strip sofa / armchair modules by Cini Boeri for Arflex
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
The Strips sofa, designed by the Italian architect Cini Boeri in 1968, is one of Arflex 's most iconic collections and a highly acclaimed design from the 1...
Fabric, Velvet
$4,191Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 24.81 in W 26.38 in D 33.08 in
Quattro Sedute modulari '9000' di Tito Agnoli per Arflex anni 70
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Milano, IT
Set di quattro sedute compatte che permettono di creare diverse configurazioni. Disegnate da Tito Agnoli nel 1969, presentano imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in tessuto origina...
Fabric
$17,128 / set
H 24.41 in W 64.18 in D 32.68 in
'Confidential' 2x 2-seater Sofas by Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Saporiti
Located in Brussels, BE
The Confidential sofa stands as one of the most iconic creations in the history of Saporiti Italia. Designed in 1972 by Alberto Rosselli, it marked a turning point in modern furnitur...
Fabric, Polyester
Strips Long Lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Very rare strips lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s, It is reupholstered in a sand color recycled fabric. The upholstery can be zipped off so you can snuggle under a blanket. On...
Fabric
$9,373 / set
H 29.93 in W 94.49 in D 43.31 in
Bengodi" Set - Design Cini Boeri for Arflex Italia (2 Sofas + Armchair)
Located in Manzano, IT
Bengodi complete set, designed by the legendary Cini Boeri for Arflex. This set embodies the philosophy of extreme comfort typical of the 1970s. Characterized by generous volumes,...
Leather
strips sofa by cini boeri for arflex reupholstered
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Ghedi, IT
The Strips two-seater sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1968, is an iconic piece of Italian design that revolutionized modern seating with its innovative modular concept. Th...
Velvet
$28,000 / set
H 24.81 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofas for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
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
$26,780
H 30.32 in W 157.49 in D 38.19 in
Mid-Century Modern Pagru Modular Sofa by Claudio Vagnoni for 1P, Italy, 1960s
By Claudio Vagnoni
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pagru' Modular sofa by Claudio Vagnoni for 1P, Italy, 1960s.
Fabric
$25,616 / set
H 26.78 in W 137.8 in D 35.44 in
Alberto Rosselli Confidential Sofa Set by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti
Located in PARIS, FR
Alberto Rosselli was among the defining figures of Italy's postwar industrial design revolution. Trained as an architect in Milan, he co-founded the influential journal Stile Industr...
Leather, Wood
Arflex Strips Sofa By Cini Boeri In Velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in mustard/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. This modular sofa features four seating e...
Velvet
Mid-Century Modular Lounge Chairs for Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Tito Agnoli for Arflex in 1970s Italy, this modular lounge seating system reflects a thoughtful balance between sculptural form and functional adaptability, characteristi...
Wool, Cotton, Wood
Sofa DS-470 by Thomas Althaus for De Sede, Switzerland
By Thomas Althaus, De Sede
Located in Antwerp, BE
The De Sede DS-470 is a luxurious modular sectional sofa that showcases the pinnacle of Swiss craftsmanship and ergonomic innovation. Its unique semicircular design is composed of in...
Leather
Soriana Two-Seater Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Soriana two-seater sofas by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, a celebrated icon of 1970s Italian design. These pieces feature the signature plush, voluminous form cinched by a p...
Velvet
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising four large and two smaller seatin...
Velvet
Felicerossi Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofa, 1970s
By Felicerossi
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare Felicerossi Italian post-modern sectional sofa in brown and beige fabric upholstery, produced in the 1970s. This organically shaped modular model consists of three units that ...
Metal
Camaleonda Lounge Chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda lounge chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless icon of 1970s design. Each chair features the signature bold curves and deep tufting that define the Camaleonda sy...
Velvet
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.
