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.
$923Sale Price|20% Off
VENINI Mid-Century Modern "Chiara" Pink Glass Italian Chandelier by Cini Boeri.
By Cini Boeri, Venini
Located in Sacile, PN
"Chiara" pink glass chandelier designed by Cini Boeri for VENINI, dated 1985. Black varnished metal top and pink glass shade. Signed VENINI.
Metal, Steel
$12,489 / item
Cini Boeri 'Strips' Large Bed for Arflex 220 x 186cm
By Cini Boeri
Located in Tilburg, NL
Cini Boeri 'Strips' Large Bed for Arflex. Designed in 1972, current production. At the end of the 60s, the architect Cini Boeri revolutionizes the furniture market with her model, t...
Fabric
Model 235 Wall or Ceiling Light by Cini Boeri for Arteluce
By Cini Boeri, Arteluce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 235 Wall or Ceiling Lights by Cini Boeri for Arteluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1971. Sleek slant cut flush mounts with a concave socket housing, receiving a chro...
Aluminum, Steel
'Abat Jour' table lamp designed by Cini Boeri for Arteluce, then Tronconi
By Cini Boeri, Arteluce
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant and sculptural, the 'Abat Jour' table lamp designed by Cini Boeri for Arteluce in 1975 is an icon of Italian design. The black marble pyramid base lends solidity and prestige...
Marble, Metal
Cini Boeri Accademia Floor Lamp by Artemide, Italy ca. 1978
By Cini Boeri
Located in Geneva, CH
Rare vintage Accademia floor lamp by Cini Boeri produced by Artemide in 1978. Off white fabric stretched on a metal frame and hung on a black steel triangular structure. The double ...
Steel
Zeus floor lamp by Cini Boeri for Gavina, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This floor lamp was created by Italian designer Cini Boeri for Gavina in the 1970s. It is the Zeus model. The structure is made of red and chrome-painted metal, while the spherical d...
Metal
$10,560 / item
Smoked Glass Fiam Italia Ghost Glass Chair by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, FIAM
Located in New York, NY
ARMCHAIR IN CURVED GLASS Monolithic chair in 12 mm-thick curved glass. “ I would never have thought of making a chair from glass… My initial distrust of an idea which seemed quite u...
Glass
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
Mid Century Modern Gradual Sofa with Brown Base by Cini Boeri for Knoll
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Amazing pair of Gradual sofas/ loveseats in black leather by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy 1970s. This sophisticated, yet practical design will be the perfect addition to your modern i...
Velvet, Plastic
Original Knoll Brigadier Zweisitzer Leder schwarz Cini Boeri 1980
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Zweisitzer Sofa von Knoll aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Ciri Boeri, einer der einflussreichsten Möbeldesignerinnen des 20....
Leather, Wood
Accademia table lamp from Cini Boeri for Artemide, 1970s Italy.
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Accademia table lamp from Cini Boeri for Artemide, 1970s Italy. Elevate your interior with the minimalist elegance of the Accademia table lamp by renowned Italian designer Cini Boeri...
Metal
Arflex Pecorelle Armchair in Denver Fabric and Black Fur Corners by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The architect Cini Boeri tells that she was inspired by Christo Vladimirov Javasev's and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon's works, masters in the art of landscape painting. Nature pr...
Metal
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
Letto Strips di Cini Boeri per Arflex
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Ghedi, IT
The Strips bed, designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1972, is an iconic piece that blends innovation with timeless elegance. Its revolutionary design features a wooden structure padd...
Fabric
Fiberglass Daybed by Cini Boeri for Elco, Italy, 1960s
By Cini Boeri, Elco
Located in Milan, IT
Rare daybed by Cini Boeri for Elco. Reinforced white fiberglass daybed
Fiberglass
Original Knoll Brigadier Dreisitzer Leder weiß Cini Boeri 1980
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes, weißes Dreisitzer Sofa (Modell: Brigadier) von Knoll aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Ciri Boeri, einer der einflussreichste...
Leather, Wood
"Bacone" Corner Leather Lounge Chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Bacone lounge chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex. Extra large piece with generous squared proportions.
Leather
"Accademia Tavolo" Table lamp by Cini Boeri for Artemide, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Artemide
Located in bruxelles, BE
Metal and fabric table lamp by Cini Boeri for Artemide. Model: Accademia Tavolo . Wear due to time and age of the lamp For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Pair of Accademia Medium Wall Lamp by Cini Boeri for Artemide 1978
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Accademia medium wall lamp, designed by Cini Boeri in 1978, is a lamp version of the popular table lamp created for Artemide. This lamp is an impressive example of Boeri's minima...
Iron
Pair of Accademia Floor Lamp by Cini Boeri for Artemide 1978
By Cini Boeri, Artemide
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Accademia lamp, designed by Cini Boeri in 1978, is a floor lamp version of the popular table lamp created for Artemide. This lamp is an impressive example of Boeri's minimalist a...
Iron
Pair of Accademia Wall Lamp by Cini Boeri for Artemide 1978
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Accademia lamp, designed by Cini Boeri in 1978, is a lamp version of the popular table lamp created for Artemide. This lamp is an impressive example of Boeri's minimalist approac...
Iron
Pair of Accademia Tavolo Picoli by Cini Boeri for Artemide 1978
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Accademia lamp, designed by Cini Boeri in 1978, is a small-scale version of the popular table lamp created for Artemide. This lamp is an impressive example of Boeri's minimalist ...
Iron
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
Cine Boeri Dinning Table 1970
By Cini Boeri
Located in LU
A 1970 modern dining room in metal and glass by designer Cini Boeri in great condition. Table only.
Metal
Italian table lamp 1970s Accademia model Cini Boeri for Artemide
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Milano, MI
Particular table lamp model Accademia designed in 1978 by Cini Boeri for Artemide. The Lamp is triangular in cross-section with a metal frame and a wide fabric diffuser. The Lamp ...
Metal
Accademia table lamp by Cini Boeri, Artemide 1978
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Renens, CH
"Accademia" table lamp designed by Cini Boeri and manufactured by Artemide, Italy 1978. This minimalist architectural lamp features a triangular shaped black metal base and a white...
Metal
'Accademia' lamp by Cini Boeri for Artemide 1970s
By Artemide, Cini Boeri
Located in Milano, IT
1970s table lamp with enameled steel base and fabric shade.
Steel
White Wall or Ceiling Lamp No. 235/B by Cini Boeri for Arteluce, 1970s
By Arteluce, Cini Boeri
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Wall or ceiling fixture, No. 235/b, designed by Cini Boeri and manufactured by Arteluce in 1971. The lamp consists of two parts: the cylindrical outside and the inside (a reflector)...
Metal
A 1970s Modern Arnolfo Di Cambio Ice Bucket with a Lino Sabattini Ice Tongs
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Cini Boeri, Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1970s modern heavy crystal ice bucket is a stunning example of Italian design created by Cini Boeri for Arnolfo di Cambio, paired with Lino Sabattini's elegant ice tongs by Chri...
Crystal, Silver Plate
"Lunario" Low Table by Cini Boeri for Gavina, Italy, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Milan, IT
Iconic Lunario low table by Cini Boeri for Gavina. Polished chrome-plated brass base supports a large oval glass surface. One of the first exam...
Metal
Italian "Lunario" coffee table by Cini Boeri for Gavina
By Cini Boeri
Located in BE
The Lunario coffee table, designed by Cini Boeri and manufactured by Gavina in Italy in the 1970s, is an iconic statement of modern design. Its sculptural chrome foot features a clev...
Chrome
Arflex Pecorelle Armchair in Denver Fabric with Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The architect Cini Boeri tells that she was inspired by Christo Vladimirov Javasev's and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon's works, masters in the art of landscape painting. Nature pr...
Metal
Vintage Cini Boeri for Knoll Lunario Cantilevered Table/Desk
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a polished stainless steel base with a 1/2 inch thick cantilever glass top. By Cini Boeri for Knoll ...
Stainless Steel
Set of Two Fiam Italia Ghost Glass Chairs by Cini Boeri - Customizable colors
By FIAM, Cini Boeri
Located in New York, NY
ARMCHAIRS IN CURVED GLASS Monolithic chair in 12 mm-thick curved glass. “ I would never have thought of making a chair from glass… My initial distrust of an idea which seemed quite ...
Glass
Arflex Pecorelle Sofa in Denver Fabric with Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The architect Cini Boeri tells that she was inspired by Christo Vladimirov Javasev's and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon's works, masters in the art of landscape painting. Nature pr...
Metal
Italian modern Murano glass Chiara floor lamp, Cini Boeri for Fontana Arte 1980s
By Fontana Arte, Cini Boeri
Located in MIlano, IT
Chiara floor lamp, modern Italian, by Cini Boeri for Fontana Arte, 1980s. Chiara model floor lamp with round metal base, grooved blue Murano glass stem and opaline Murano glass lamps...
Metal
Lunario 6 Seater Dinning Table Cini Boeri Gavina 1970 Glass Top Steel Grey
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Lunario table by Cini Boeri, characterized by its elegant and peculiar shape. Oval crystal top with chrome-plated steel plate base attachment plate. Double-height chromed steel ellip...
Steel
Model Chiara Floor Lamp by Cini Boeri for Venini, 1985
By Cini Boeri, Venini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Illuminate your space with the ethereal elegance of the Model Chiara Floor Lamp by Cini Boeri for Venini, a radiant masterpiece signed "Venini 1985." Crafted from pristine white glas...
Iron
Lamp mod. 268 by Cini Boeri for Arteluce
By Cini Boeri
Located in Milano, IT
Discover the iconic Mod. 268 lamp by renowned designer Cini Boeri, crafted by Arteluce. This exquisite brown lamp combines timeless Italian design with modern elegance to create a wa...
Metal, Aluminum
Blue Chiara Floor Lamp by Cini Boeri for Venini, Italy, 1980s
By Cini Boeri
Located in Brussels, BE
Chiara Floor Lamp by Cini Boeri for Venini, Italy, 1980s
Glass
Cini Boeri Hand Blown Murano Glass Light Pink Table Lamp
By Fontana Arte, Cini Boeri
Located in London, England
An elegant table lamp made from layered and blown Murano glass and a circular cast iron metal base. Signed. A single piece of glass forms the shade, connecting to the fluted glass s...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Reeded Glass
Cini Boeri Hand Blown Murano Milk Glass White Table Lamp
By Cini Boeri, Fontana Arte
Located in London, England
An elegant table lamp made from hand blown Murano glass and a circular metal base. A single piece of glass forms the shade, connecting to the fluted glass stem via three screws. Li...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Reeded Glass