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.
Cini Boeri Double-sided Rotating Bookcase / Cabinet in Red Lacquer by Arflex, 1980
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Conversano, IT
Overview An extraordinary double-sided rotating bookcase/display cabinet designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, produced in Italy during the 1980s. This remarkable piece is one of the mo...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
$160Sale Price|76% Off
H 31 in W 32.25 in D 19.5 in
Boho Chic Henry Link Pencil Reed Cabinet/Dry Bar With Rotating Top
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your entertaining space with this Boho Chic Henry Link Pencil Reed Dry Bar. Featuring a unique rotating top and crafted in the 1980s, this piece offers both style and functio...
Reed
1980s Karl Springer Lacquered Goatskin Dry Bar Cabinet
By Karl Springer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1980s Vintage Karl Springer Ltd Modern Dry Bar Service Cabinet Lacquered Leather Goatskin Creamy Parchment Wood and Brass 36 h x 53 w...
Leather, Wood, Parchment Paper, Goatskin
$4,436 / item
H 51.58 in W 48.04 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Inspired Bar Cabinet Jazz in Lacquered Wood and Polished Brass
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jazz bar cabinet is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte lacquered wood structure and feet, brass applications and lacquered doors. It featur...
Brass
A Rotating Art Deco Style Bar Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This extraordinary bar cabinet has a glossy case made from walnut veneers and a rotating door covered in book-matched walnut burl. The door is opened by pressing on one side. The action is smooth and polished as the door swings open to reveal three glass-covered shelves and various holders for round and square bottles. The light-colored interior is made from birch. The upper shelf holds the wine or liquor bottles and has room for serving utensils and an ice tray. The two lower shelves are ideal for glassware. This is a fine example of "Budapest Deco"; the simplified form of Art Deco design that was prevalent in Budapest, Hungary in the 1930's and 40's. Hungarian Deco...
Mirror, Walnut
$4,267Sale Price|40% Off
H 74 in W 120 in D 40 in
Dry Bar Set by Willy Rizzo in Chrome and lacquered Wood, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Sabot
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary lacquered wood and metal bar designed by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s. A sophisticated, elegant, versatile work, which will add a touch of style and glamour t...
Metal
French Midcentury black Lacquered Bar Cabinet
Located in Kent, Dover
A French Mid-Century bar cabinet in black lacquer, comprising a central glazed area for glassware and a plate glass top for bottles. The two lockable cupboards with curved doors and ...
Chrome
Giorgio Cabinet in Lacquer and Bronze Finish
By Casa Casati
Located in Milan, MI
A family of lacquered containers inspired by Louis XV pieces with Chinese lacquered panels. Giorgio I and Giorgio II are tall containers, ideal for use...
Brass
French Art Deco Rotating Cocktail Cabinet, c.1940
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Art Deco Cocktail Cabinet A stylish French Art Deco rotating cocktail cabinet dating from the 1940s, fully restored and ready for use. The compact mahogany cabinet features a revo...
Santos Rosewood
$4,816Sale Price|30% Off
H 63 in W 31.5 in D 17.8 in
Sculptural Contemporary Drinks Cabinet by Gustavo Martini, Lacquered MDF & Wood
By Gustavo Martini
Located in Roma, IT
Drinks Cabinet by Gustavo Martini, contemporary Brazilian design, launched at Milan Design Week 2017. Designed by award-winning Brazilian designer Gustavo Martini, this exceptional ...
Metal
$27,800
H 35.25 in W 62 in D 20 in
Tommi Parzinger Bar Cabinet Lacquered in White Chocolate with Polished Brass
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet attributed to Tommi Parzinger newly lacquered in white chocolate with polished original adorning brass hardware. Fully restored from top to bo...
Brass
$3,912
H 35.44 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Danish folding Bar With Rotating Cabinet by Reno Wahl for Dyrlund 1960s
By Drylund, Reno Wahl Iversen
Located in Cork, IE
What better place to look for clever space saving solutions than on a ship! This captain's bar was designed by Reno Wahl Iversen for the Danish manufacturer Dyrlund. It comes with ...
Brass
$43,400 / item
H 58.27 in W 28.35 in D 26.38 in
Coffee Station Cabinet in Custom Leather and Lacquer Finishes By Jacobo Ventura
Located in New York, NY
A piece of furniture created for lovers of coffee and design. This coffee station is a creation by Jacobo Ventura with the aim of providing an elegant s...
Leather, Lacquer
Sold
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Cini Boeri for Arflex, Rare Mid-Century "Cubotto" Chest of Drawers, circa 1968
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, Mid-Century Orange "Cubotto" chest of drawers, circa 1968 Wonderful jewel like multi drawer 'cubotto' cabinet designed by Italian architect, Cini Boeri for ...
Wood
Cini Boeri Wall Mount " Prisma " Vitrine for Rosenthal, 1981
By Cini Boeri
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Cini Boeri wall mount " Prisma " illuminated display cabinet / vitrine for Rosenthal, 1981.
Metal
Sold
H 21.26 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Very Rare Sculptural 'Cubotto' Cabinet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1968
By Cini Boeri
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Wonderful jewel like multi drawer 'cubotto' cabinet designed by Italian architect, Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy in 1968 which was shortlisted for the 'compasso d'oro' gold Medal desi...
Brass, Chrome
Lunario Eight Round Chrome Based Table Desk by Cini Boeri for Knoll
By Cini Boeri
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lunario eight round glass dining table, 1970 for Knoll International. Chrome base. The top is a 1/2" thick clear polished circular tempered plate glass with polished steel in...
Chrome
"Cubotto" Multi-Use Piece by Cini Boeri for Arflex
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Rare "Cubotto" (big cube) multi-use piece of furniture by Cini Boeri for Arflex. Compact shape, It can be used as bar cart with its functional p...
Wood