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 Cini Boeri, Lino Sabattini, Arnolfo di Cambio, 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
Lino Sabatinni For Christofle / Gallia, Paris - Ice Bucket, c.1960
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
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
$1,706 / set
H 9.06 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
1960s Lino Sabattini for Christofle Silver and Teak Cocktail Set
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
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
$1,856
H 9.75 in Dm 3.13 in
Lino Sabattini For Christofle - "Windsor" Cocktail Shaker Designed In 1956
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini, 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
Lucite Starburst Ice Bucket with Tongs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Lucite Starburst Ice Bucket With Tongs
Lucite
$423
H 2.96 in Dm 3.94 in
Italian Modern Bowl Ashtray Biglia by Joe Colombo for Arnolfo di Cambio, 1970s
By Joe Colombo, Arnolfo di Cambio
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
Lino Sabattini Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler c.1960's
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A rare and highly prized silver plated modernist wine cooler or ice bucket ready to chill the finest bottle. Designed by the well renowned Italian designer, Lino Sabattini when he...
Silver Plate
$529
H 21.86 in Dm 6.3 in
Space Age "Onde" Crystal Ice Bucket, Sergio Asti, Arnolfo di Cambio, Italy, 1970
Located in Firenze, IT
Space Age "Onde" Series Crystal Ice Bucket Designed by Sergio Asti, manufactured by Arnolfo di Cambio, Italy, ca. 1970 brass, crystal Marked and labeled Ice tongs included H 13 ...
Crystal, Brass
$475
H 17 in W 6.5 in D 7.5 in
1970s Lucite Ice Bucket in the form of a Chiseled Ice Block with Chrome Tongs
Located in St. Louis, MO
If your looking for a conversation piece for you bar, this is it. Circa 1970s MCM bar novelty lucite chiseled ice block with chrome ice thongs as handle ice bu...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Ice Bucket with Liner and Tongs
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century modern lucite ice bucket, circa 1980s. This piece is in great vintage condition and measures 7"D x 14.5"H; a glamorous addition to your MCM bar! #4171
Lucite
$376
H 7.88 in W 6.89 in D 5.91 in
Vintage Ice Bucket Arnolfo Di Cambio in Crystal and Metal, 80s Italian Design
By Arnolfo di Cambio
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This vintage ice bucket by Arnolfo di Cambio embodies Italian elegance, crafted in thick crystal with a metal handle and rim that exude sophistication. The structured design reflects...
Crystal, Metal
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
1970s Red Aluminum Ice Bucket, Pear Shaped, by Daydream, Australia.
By Romeo Rega, Ettore Sottsass, Maison Jansen, Christofle, Daydream Production
Located in Malmö, SE
A fabulous pear ice bucket in vibrant red anodized metal with brass stalk handle. Made by Daydream, Australia, 1970s. Great original condition, but with some light scratches and sc...
Aluminum, Brass
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