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
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
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofa for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” two-seater sofa for Gavina, camel velvet, Italy, 1970 Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the “Gradual System” by Cini Boeri i...
Velvet
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Living Room Set for Gavina, Velvet, 1970, Set of 4
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" living room set, camel velvet, Italy, 1970, set of four. (2 two-seater sofas + 2 armchairs) Designed in 1970 by Cini Boeri for Gavina, this armchair belo...
Velvet
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofa for Gavina, Black Leather, 1970
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” two-seater sofa for Gavina, black velvet, Italy, 1970 Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the “Gradual System” by Cini Boeri is a visionary example of modular d...
Leather, Plastic
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofas for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” two-seater sofas for Gavina, Italy, 1970, set of 2 Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the “Gradual System” by Cini Boeri rede...
Velvet
Cini Boeri, Sofa, Plastic, Leather, Gavina Knoll, Italy 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in High Point, NC
A three-seater black ABS plastic and white / light grey leather sofa, designed by Cini Boeri, and produced by Gavina, Knoll, 1970s. Backside features a built in shelf. 13.5” seat he...
Leather, Plastic
Cini Boeri, Sofa, ABS Plastic, Leather, Italy 1970s
By Cini Boeri
Located in High Point, NC
A two-seater black ABS plastic and white / light grey leather sofa, designed by Cini Boeri, and produced by Gavina, Knoll, 1970s. seat height 14”.
Leather, Plastic
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
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
"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
Stunning Brigadier sofa in very rare soft yellow by Cini Boeri for Knoll. Signed
By Cini Boeri
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Cini Boeri for Knoll, 2-Seater Sofa, Model 'Brigadier', Leather, Lacquered Wood, Italy, Designed in 1976 Soft Yellow Cream Leather Architectural Sofa on a Geometric Lacquered Wooden...
Leather
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Armchairs for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
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
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
Mid Century Modern Gradual Sofa with Brown Base by Cini Boeri for Knoll
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
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
Vintage Sofa "Gradual Lounge" by Cini Boeri for Knoll Gavina, Italy, 1970s
By Gavina, Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Sofa "Gradual Lounge" is an original design item realized it Italy in 1970s. Top Rare sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Knowll Gavina. A totally innovative modular syste...
Leather
Original Knoll Brigadier Zweisitzer Leder schwarz Cini Boeri 1980
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
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
Leather Brigadier Sofa by Cini Boeri for Gavina
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Italy. Black leather upholstery with wood sides.
Leather, Wood
$5,468Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$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 Tito Agnoli, Arflex
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
$5,010
H 25.99 in W 83.86 in D 30.71 in
Bastiano Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina in Gray Suede and Black Wood, 1960s
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This Bastiano sofa, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina in the 1960s, exemplifies a refined balance between modernist design and comfort. The frame is crafted from black-lacquered wo...
Suede, Wood
$2,416Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
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
$5,964
H 27.56 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Kazuhide Takahama, Mantilla Sofa for Gavina, Italy 1974 (Big Size)
By Kazuhide Takahama, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
Kazuhide Takahama (Japan, 1930 - Bologna, 2010) "MANTILLA" SOFA wooden frame, padded and covered in velvet in shades of white Production Simon Gavina, Italy, 1974 Bibliography: Ac...
Velvet, Wood
$5,372Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$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 Arflex, Cini Boeri
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
$15,931Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 122.05 in D 49.22 in
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
$6,680
H 27.96 in W 83.47 in D 33.47 in
Italian mid-century sofa Bastiano by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960s
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern black leather and wood sofa Bastiano by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960s Three-seater sofa model Bastiano with seat, backrest and armrests made of p...
Leather, Wood
$8,601
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
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
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
Original Knoll Brigadier Zweisitzer Leder weiß Cini Boeri 1980
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes, weißes Zweisitzer Sofa (Modell: Brigadier) von Knoll aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Ciri Boeri, einer der einflussreichste...
Leather, Wood
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
Cini Boeri for Knoll 'Brigadiere' Chair in Black Leather
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cini Boeri for Knoll, armchair, model 'Brigadiere', leather, lacquered wood, Italy, 1976. Architectural 'Brigadiere' chair designed by Italian designer Cini Boeri for Knoll. This p...
Leather, Wood
Cini Boeri for Knoll Sofa ‘Gradual’ in Black Leather
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cini Boeri for Knoll, sofa, 'Gradual', black leather, fiberglass, Italy, 1971. This stunning black sofa was designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll. The frame of this sofa is made out of b...
Leather, Fiberglass
Cini Boeri for Knoll Pair of Love Seats in Black Leather
By Cini Boeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cini Boeri for Knoll, pair of love seats, part of the 'Gradual' set, black leather, fiberglass, Italy, 1970s. This pair of stunning black love se...
Leather, Fiberglass
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
Modular Sofa "Strips" by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular sofa in orange fabric by Cini Boeri. Model: Strips. Dimensions of one element: H: 62 cm W: 94 cm D: 94 cm Seat height: 38 cm. Very good condition, wear due to time and age. F...
Fabric, Plastic
Cini Boeri Knoll Sofa
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Chicago, IL
likely c. 1970s - fully restored in mohair and featuring three oversized pillows, excellent condition
Mohair
‘Strips’ Sofa in Light Blue by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Cini Boeri
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the 1970s, the ‘Strips’ sofa is a standout of postwar Italian design. Its padded shell wraps the entire frame, creating a relaxed, sculptural sil...
Fabric, Foam, Cotton
Sold
H 24.81 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Divano Gradual di Cini Boeri per Knoll International original fabric
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Ghedi, IT
Il divano Gradual di Cini Boeri per Knoll, anni '70, lungo 230 cm, è un’icona del design modernista italiano. Caratterizzato da una struttura in legno laccato marrone, la sua finitur...
Wool
Brigadier Sofa
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in London, GB
Cream leather Brigadier two-seater sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll in 1976. This architectural, minimalistic piece features a high, comfortable backrest and embodies postmoder...
Leather, Wood
Burgundy Velvet Strips sofa by Cini Boeri, 1960s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Antwerpen, BE
This stunning Strip Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex is a true masterpiece of Italian modernist design, originally created in 1972. Its distinctive modular form and plush, quilted uphol...
Velvet