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.
Vintage Lacquered Sideboard by Cini Boeri, 1970s
By Cini Boeri
Located in Roma, IT
Lacquered wood sideboard finished in a vibrant high-gloss red, accented by polished brass trim and hemispherical brass pulls. The cabinet features a balanced asymmetrical composition...
Wood
J.C. Mahey Brass Black Lacquered Sideboard Bar Cabinet 1970s
By Roche Bobois, Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Paris, IDF
A timeless vintage piece, this mid-century cabinet bar sideboard feels imposing and glamourous, with thick, straight lines of brass adorning its exterior of reflective black lacquer. Glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass accents, feels crisp and luxe. Its boxy, simple style, featuring four doors and one drawers, is typical of both the 1970s and designer Jean Claude Mahey for Roche Bobois design. The two external doors...
Brass
1970s Mastercraft Sideboard
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1970s Mastercraft Sideboard. Chips in finish, would look great lacquered. Some marks in brass. Hole drilled in back.
Brass
$8,591
H 30.71 in W 93.31 in D 18.9 in
Ivory Lacquer Sideboard in burl wood by Jean Claude Dresse, 1970s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
High quality luxurious sideboard by Jean Claude Dresse in the 1970s. Jean Claude Dresse is a highly appreciated Belgian artist and designer. This glamorous statement piece was made...
Brass
$12,500
H 29 in W 80.19 in D 18 in
1970s Mastercraft Faux Malachite Lacquer & Brass Capsule Form Sideboard Credenza
By Mastercraft
Located in St. Louis, MO
An exceptional 1970s Hollywood Regency faux malachite and brass pill or oval shape sideboard - credenza by Mastercraft Furniture of Grand Rapids. The sideboard features a impressive ...
Brass
$34,380
H 35.04 in W 74.81 in D 20.87 in
Unique Golden Lacquer Brass Maison Jansen Sideboard Commode, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
An exciting example of French design firm Maison Jansen’s commissioned pieces. This large sideboard is made from solid oak, lacquered in a rich dark brown and bronze–golden finish. T...
Brass
1970s Italian Sideboard
Located in Praha, CZ
- Body Made of laminate with imitation of wood and Legs are made of Beech wood - Good original condition with minor signs of use
Laminate, Wood, Beech
1970s Ello Mirrored Sideboard by O. B. Solie
By O.B. Solie
Located in Chicago, US
Mirrored sideboard cabinet designed by O. B. Solie for Ello in the 1970s as part of their "Reflections" collection. The cabinet is clad in mirror-polished stainless steel sheet and h...
Mirror
Sideboard in Rosewood, 1970s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sideboard in rosewood opening with a door and standing on four black metal legs. Danish work realized in the 1970. Dimensions : H 73 x W 65 x...
Rosewood
Vintage Pink Brutalist Sideboard by Defour, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Sint-Niklaas, VOV
Graphical sideboard designed and produced in the 1970s by Defour, Belgium. The front is decorated with a graphical circle pattern carved into the wood. The sideboard is equipped w...
Wood
$43,529
H 35.04 in W 112.21 in D 20.87 in
Unique Golden Lacquer Brass Maison Jansen Sideboard Commode, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
An exciting example of French design firm Maison Jansen’s commissioned pieces. This large sideboard is made from solid oak, lacquered in a rich dark brown and bronze–golden finish. T...
Brass
$13,500 / set
H 29.25 in W 84.5 in D 19.5 in
Vladimir Kagan, Mid-Century Modern, Sideboard, Burlwood, Chrome, Lacquer, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Waterfall Sideboard / Dresser by Vladimir Kagan, Burlwood Burlwood, Chrome, Lacquer United States, 1970s Vladimir Kagan burl wood and lacquered sideboard or console with 2 file cabinet drawers having interior locks. The two center shelved doors flanked by a pair of file cabinets...
Wood
$6,524
H 30.52 in W 95.28 in D 19.69 in
1970s French Black Lacquered High Gloss and Brass Sideboard by Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A super sleek and luxurious French sideboard by JC Mahey for Masion Romeo which dates from the 1970s. High gloss black piano lacquer contrasting against the brass detail is simply ...
Brass