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.
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa in mustard yellow leather, 1970
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Bring timeless elegance into your interior with this iconic vintage two-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1954. Manufactured in the early 1970s under ...
Chrome
$29,213 / item
H 27.96 in W 98.43 in D 41.34 in
Tobia Scarpa Soriana Yellow Three-Seater Sofa by Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Soriana three-seat sofa, designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1969 and produced by Cassina in Italy. A true design icon, the Soriana is distinguished by its inviting, ample profile and its e...
Metal
$12,000 / set
H 29 in W 109.5 in D 67 in
2004 Piero Lissoni for Cassina Met 250 Sofa with Chaise in Yellow Fabric
By Piero Lissoni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Met 250 Modular Sectional Sofa, designed by Piero Lissoni for Cassina in 1996. This particular example dates to 2004. The sofa is currently upholstered in a vibrant yellow ...
Aluminum, Steel
$10,248
H 25.99 in W 140.95 in D 83.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Yellow Modular Sofa, Italy, 1960s - New Upholstery
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa, Italy, 1960s - New Upholstery
Fabric
$260,000
H 29.53 in W 122.05 in D 40.95 in
Marzio Cecchi Custom Floating Five Seater Sofa in Mustard Yellow Velvet
By Marzio Cecchi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
One of one custom piece. Museum piece This extraordinary Marzio Cecchi sofa and lounge chair set embodies the daring creativity of 1970s Italian modernist design. A master of form a...
Metal
Yellow Say Sofa by Gentner Design
By Christopher Gentner
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow say sofa by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 271 x W 86 x H 63.5 cm. Materials: fabric. COM available. Strong formal lines and geometric shapes seem like puzzle pieces that...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Camel Yellow Leather and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, chrome-plated steel, Germany, 1960s This streamlined sofa has a simple look, yet the combination of materials and the defined geometry of this piece, this sofa radiat...
Steel, Chrome
$2,591
H 24.02 in W 59.06 in D 29.53 in
1960s Yellow "Throw-Away" Sofa, Willie Landels for Zanotta, Reupholstered, 1968
By Zanotta, Willie Landels
Located in Zagreb, HR
1968 Space age "Throw-Away" sofa, designed by Willie Landels for Zanotta, Italy. Reupholstered in yellow faux leather. Super comfortable, light and easy to move, 'Throwaway' sofa w...
Faux Leather
Mid-Century Modern Yellow Sofa by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern yellow divano, designed most likely by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The seat backrest has a floating back with gently outstretched arms. The large Ital...
Metal, Brass, Iron
Ligne Roset Modern Yellow Leather Sofa or Loveseat
By Ligne Roset
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Modern sofa or loveseat By Ligne Roset France, Circa 1970s Measures: 69"W x 35.5"D x 32"H. Seat height: 16". Arm height: 20". Very good original vintage condition.
Steel
Stunning Kashima Sofa in original leather by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset 1980
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1970s Exceptional Soft Quilted Leather Sofa in Cream Open Grain Leather A rare and highly tactile expression of Michel Ducaro...
Leather
Vintage modular sofa Novemila 9000 by Tito Agnoli for Ligne JF Mur - France
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Modular Sofa, in the Style of Tito Agnoli, Ligne J.F. Mur, France, 1970s Natural Italian Leather Modular Sofa with Sculpted Aero Backrest and C...
Leather
Stunning vintage Oriolo Sofa in leather by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani 1960s
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Oriolo Sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, Italy 1960s Original Light Grey Leather, Aged to a Soft Cream Tone, on a Rosewood Veneer Architectural Frame The Oriolo sofa, designed b...
Leather
Original Togo Medium Settee in beige leather 2007 - Michel Ducaroy - Ligne Roset
By Ligne Roset
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset – Togo Medium Settee, 2007 Stunning Leather Sofa with Armrests in Iconic Quilted Form Designed in 1973 by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, the Togo is ...
Leather
Extremely Rare Vintage Sofa by Paolo Piva for De Sede Swiss 1970s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Very rare vintage 3-seat sofa in its original black leather. Stunning patina. Designed in the 1990s by Paolo Piva for De Sede Swiss. Very good condition with normal signs of use...
Leather
Kashima 2 seater in original cream leather by Michel Ducaroy - Ligne Roset 1980
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima 2 Seater Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1970s Exceptional Soft Quilted Leather Sofa in Cream Open Grain Leather A refined and sculptural expression of Miche...
Leather
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.
