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.
A 1970s Modern Arnolfo Di Cambio Ice Bucket with a Lino Sabattini Ice Tongs
By Lino Sabattini, Cini Boeri, Christofle, Arnolfo di Cambio
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
Lino Sabatinni For Christofle / Gallia, Paris - Ice Bucket, c.1960
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous ice minimalist / modernist silver plated ice bucket, I believe in the Windsor pattern, designed c.1960 by the world famous Lino Sabatinni, the preeminent figure in modern...
Silver Plate
$2,194 / set
H 9.06 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
1960s Lino Sabattini for Christofle Silver and Teak Cocktail Set
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A very rare and beautiful 1960s cocktail set with modernist jug and six aperitivo cups designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle. Each piece is stamped Christofle Gallia ITALY on the...
Silver
$520 / set
H 6.5 in Dm 3 in
6 Sergio Asti Chameleon Aperitif Drinking Glasses, Arnolfo Di Cambio, Italy 1970
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Sergio Asti
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of six stylish color-changing studio glass drinking glasses / shot glasses from the 1970s, designed by Sergio Asti and manufactured by Arnolfo di Cambio in Tuscany, Italy. Thes...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Mid Century Rattan Ice Bucket with Tongs
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage rattan ice bucket with tongs. This beautifully aged piece from the 1970s has incredible presence and will add style to any bar or ...
Rattan, Plastic
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Gallia, Cocktail Jug, c.1960
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous modernist silver plated bar or cocktail jug; about as stylish as they get. Made even more interesting as this example was used during the 1963 ...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini (1926-2016) Sliverplate Ice Bucket
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Oakland, CA
Ice bucket by Italian Industrial Designer Lino Sabattini (1926-2016). A cylindrical form with an elliptical handle near the top at the bottom of the lid creating a very elegant yet s...
Silver Plate
$426
H 2.96 in Dm 3.94 in
Italian Modern Bowl Ashtray Biglia by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1970s
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Bowl Ashtray Biglia by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1970s Ashtray mod. Biglia in violet-blue alexandrite. The semi-round shaped bowl features thick glass. Prod...
Glass
Italian modern smoke glass by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern smoke glass by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s Smoke glass all made of glass. The cylindrical bowl is made of transparent glass, while the side stem and round...
Glass
Lucite Starburst Ice Bucket with Tongs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Lucite Starburst Ice Bucket With Tongs
Lucite
Art Deco Pink Glass Ice Bucket with Tongs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco Pink Glass Ice Bucket with chrome handle and ice tongs.
Chrome
Italian modern smoke glass by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s
By Arnolfo di Cambio, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern smoke glass by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1960s Smoke glass all made of glass. The cylindrical bowl is made of transparent glass, while the side stem and round...
Glass
$1,835
H 9.75 in Dm 3.13 in
Lino Sabattini For Christofle - "Windsor" Cocktail Shaker Designed In 1956
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria, Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning modernist cocktail shaker designed by the world famous Lino Sabattini for famous Orfevrerie Christofle, a magical combination of quality and minimalist design. Created as part of the Gallia range, the design is known as Windsor and was made in Italy by Sabattini Argenteria, designed in 1956. Just back from our silversmith's workshop where it has been professionally cleaned and polished, restoring it to it's former glory. Highly collectable and sought-after in excellent condition measuring 3 1/8" in diameter x 9 3/4" tall. Minor wear commensurate with age and use. Lino Sabattini was the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. His expansive and diverse body of work is marked by its strength and boldness, whether in dynamic forms that suggest the thrust and power of Italian Futurist art...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 1.11 in W 6.89 in D 5.12 in
Ashtray in Printed Crystal Cini Boeri 1970 Italian Design Silver Rectangular
By Cini Boeri
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ashtray in printed crystal Cini Boeri 1970 Italian design silver.
Crystal, Silver