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.
Modular Strips Sofa in brown velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips 5-piece modular sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s An iconic modular design by Cini Boeri, defined by its soft, quilted construction and low, horizontal profile. Ove...
Velvet
Arflex Strips Modular Sofa S3 in White Fabric and Aluminium Feet by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
At the end of the 60s, the architect Cini Boeri revolutionizes the furniture market with her model, that is now an ""evergreen"": the seat system Strips. Additional information: ...
Aluminum
Arflex Strips Sofa By Cini Boeri In Velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in mustard/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. This modular sofa features four seating e...
Velvet
$19,500 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Tito Agnoli for Arflex, Modular Sofa Model '9000', in Teddy Re-Upholstery 1970s
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Almelo, NL
Tito Agnoli for Arflex, modular sofa model '9000', in teddy fabric re-upholstery, Italy 1970s. This model is marked by showing infinite possibilities to customize its use accordi...
Fabric, Beech
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
$19,500 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Velvet, Plastic
$2,890
H 28.74 in W 31.5 in D 33.85 in
Boborelax Chair Cini Boeri For Arflex Red Velvet, Italy, circa 1955
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Vienna, AT
Boborelax lounge chair, designed by Cini Boeri, Italy circa 1965 Measures: 33.85" x 21.5" x 28.74" - seat height is circa 16.5". Very stylish chaise-lounge Boborelax upholstered in alcantara faux leather fabric, which resembles suede leather but is more durable and resilient. It has been designed by Cini Boeri and is a modern take on traditional seating...
Steel
Cini Boeri for Arflex Strips Sofa in velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, two seater strips sofa in aubergine velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. Reupholstered in a beautiful high quality b...
Velvet
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
$6,716 / item
H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Arflex Botolo High Back Armchair in Natural Fur & Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Fur
$6,716 / item
H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Arflex Botolo High Back Armchair in Black Fur and Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Fur
$5,450
H 23.23 in W 68.12 in D 35.83 in
Mario Marenco for Arflex Marius&Marius Sofa in Brownish Red Leather
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marius&Marius' sofa, leather, plastic, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s The Marius&Marius sofa, designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex in the 1970s, is ...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
Space Age Italian Velvet Modular Sofa, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful two-seater sofa in Italian velvet from the 1970s Space Age period. The Italian sofa is made of dark orange textured velvet fabric. Its lines are very rounded with soft and ...
Velvet
$8,658
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Cini Boeri “Gradual” Sofa for Knoll International, Italy, 1972 Rare “Gradual” sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International in 1972. Upholste...
Leather
$48,036 / set
H 25.6 in W 102.37 in D 84.65 in
Midcentury Safari sofa by Archizoom for Poltronova, Italy 1968
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in HAARLEM, NL
An icon, vintage Safari sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova. A base made of white-coated fibreglass reinforced plastic, integrated seats arranged in the form of a flower, newl...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 23.63 in W 184.26 in D 110.63 in
Cini Boeri for Arflex Modular Strips Sofa with Ottomans in Beige Upholstery
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular 'strips' sofa with ottomans, fabric, chrome, Italy, 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, designed by Italian designer Cini Boeri for Arflex, offers both versa...
Chrome
Sold
H 25.6 in W 118.12 in D 37.41 in
Strips Sofa in caramel brown cotton velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Modular Strips sofa, Cini Boeri, caramel brown cotton velvet, 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is d...
Velvet
Sold
H 23.63 in W 49.22 in D 35.44 in
Cini Boeri for Arflex Modular Strips Sofa in Ocre velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in ocre/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and verstatile design. This modular sofa features five seating ele...
Velvet
Sold
H 25.6 in W 122.05 in D 112.21 in
Strips Sofa in brown cotton velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa, Cini Boeri, brown cotton velvet, 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displayed in seve...
Velvet
Sold
H 24.41 in W 129.93 in D 37.41 in
Strips Sofa in caramel brown velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displa...
Velvet
Strips Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Comp...
Cotton, Linen, Polyester
Strips Modular Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displa...
Cotton, Linen, Polyester
Modular Strips Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful modular sofa model Strips designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy 1972. This incredibly comfortable sofa is the an early edition reupholstered in high quality golden velvet. The sofa can be arranged in endless different settings to create the perfect lounge! The set exists of 4 one seat elements, one loveseat and two ottomans. The elements have removable fabric covers and are all marked with the Arflex sticker underneath. Will this incredibly comfortable dream sofa...
Velvet
Sold
H 24.41 in W 141.74 in D 72.84 in
Strips Modular Sofa in gold/yellow velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displa...
Velvet
Cini Boeri Strips Sofa in White Linen for Arflex
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful modern lounge sofa model Strips designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy 1972. This incredibly comfortable sofa and has its original white linen upholstery. The sofa can be...
Linen
Sold
H 25.99 in W 301.19 in D 36.23 in
Custom Listing For Mario, Cini Boeri + Brass and Velvet Drawer Cabinet
By Cini Boeri
Located in Antwerp, BE
Custom listing containing a) Cini Boeri Modular Sectional Sofa Set the Gradual Lounge for Gavina Knoll, 1970 b) Brass and Velvet Drawer Cabinet from the 1960s
Sold
H 25.99 in W 301.19 in L 25.99 in
Cini Boeri Modular Sectional Sofa Set the Gradual Lounge for Gavina Knoll, 1970
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gavina Knoll manufactured this huge set consisting of three two seater sofas and one three seater in high quality brown nappa leather designed by Cini Boeri. The entire frame is lacq...
Leather