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.
Arflex Botolo Chair in Heidi Fabric by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Botolo Chair is designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex. An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit,...
Metal
21st Century Modern Textile Chair With Removable Cover
By Federico Carandini
Located in Milan, IT
Nova is a light-weight textile chair with a precious look and a fully removable fabric cover.? The internal structure is a minimal metal rod skeleton that supports the elastic straps...
Velvet
21st Century Modern Textile Chair With Removable Cover
By Federico Carandini
Located in Milan, IT
Nova is a light-weight textile chair with a precious look and a fully removable fabric cover. The internal structure is a minimal metal rod skeleton that supports the elastic straps ...
Wool
Alky chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli - 1960s
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Magnificent Alky armchair designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in the 1960s. This iconic armchair is upholstered in brown fabric. It is in very good vintage condition but show...
Aluminum
Informel Chair by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. We have another available in different condition if interested. Made in France. Quilted cotton with foam structure. Extremely rare in USA. Cotton cover zips off for easy cl...
Cotton
$764
H 27.56 in W 22.45 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Faux Leather Chair in the Style of Augusto Savini
By Augusto Savini
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian faux leather chair in the style of Augusto Savini with dark grey lacquered wood structure. 1980s The chair has ...
Faux Leather, Wood
21st Century Oscar Chair, in a COM Fabric, by Duistt
By Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Oscar Chair, in a COM Fabric, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt Inspired by the poetic curved lines of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, Oscar chair allures for its sensual and free-fl...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Foam
$1,116
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 24.41 in
Italian Modern Chair Designed by Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti, Italy 60s
By Augusto Bozzi, Saporiti
Located in Lucija, SI
Chair that was designed by Augusto Bozzi in the late 50s Produce by Saporiti Made in Italy New fabric Reupholstered
Metal
$1,474 / item
H 29.53 in W 18.71 in D 18.59 in
Misinforms Pelè Upholstered Chair with Metal Frame by E-GGS
By Miniforms, E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pelè is completely padded, from the backrest to the legs. With its bourgeois air and rounded shape, it is extremely versatile and fits in any environment. Stackable chair with met...
Upholstery
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 37 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pod Lounge Club Chair in the Manner of Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Wayne, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Italian Faux leather pod lounge club chair in the Manner of Tobia Scarpa . If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , ple...
Fabric
Sophisticated Pair of Ebonized Wood and Linen Velvet Upholstered Club Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of luxe low profile sophisticated custom club chairs having ebonized wood frames and light greenish gray velvet upholstery. CD 31” H x 31” D x 27.5” W Arm : 23” H Seat: 18” D...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Italian Leather Midcentury Modern Style Swivel Club Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very stylish Italian pair of swivel leather club chairs having cube form with great comfort and style reminiscent Roche Bobois furniture. Elegant square forms in chocolate brown le...
Leather, Wood
Super Stylish Modern Lawson Fenning Thin Frame Dining Chairs—Set of 8
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sophisticated set of 8 thin frame gold finish dining chairs by Lawson Fenning featuring a high back and an armless silhouette that rest atop a thin metal base. Upholstery is a midni...
Metal
Sophisticated Tailored Upholstered High Back Club Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sophisticated pair of tailored upholstered straight back club chairs having a lovely green fabric covering everywhere including the legs.
Upholstery
Cool Vintage Danish Bolia Black Leather Swivel Club Chairs
By Bolia
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stylish black leather and steel swivel club chairs attributed to Danish maker Bolia, having pedestal with round steel base. Very comfortable yet sleek and sculptural. CD
Steel
Elegant Comfortable Antique Club Chair with New Boucle Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and especially luxurious antique club chair having glossy mahogany frame with inlay satinwood and handsome turned legs. New boucle upholstery is top drawer with marshmellow ...
Bouclé, Mahogany, Satinwood
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.
