Double-Face Rotating Bookcase / Cabinet in Red Lacquer by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1980

Details

Description

Overview
Extraordinary double-face rotating bookcase / display cabinet designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, produced in Italy during the 1980s. … Read more Overview
Extraordinary double-face rotating bookcase / display cabinet designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, produced in Italy during the 1980s. This remarkable piece represents one of the most scenographic and ingenious examples of Italian design of the period, combining architectural purity, kinetic movement, and functional innovation.

Description
Entirely finished in an intense glossy red lacquer, the cabinet is conceived as a pure monolithic volume resting on a rotating base, allowing full 360-degree rotation and transforming the piece into a true architectural element within the space.
The most remarkable feature of the design is its ingenious system of counterbalanced sliding glass panels. When one glass panel is moved upwards or downwards, the opposite panel simultaneously moves in the reverse direction. This refined balancing mechanism creates a fluid and almost theatrical movement, transforming the simple act of opening the cabinet into a genuine kinetic experience.
The cabinet is completely double-face, perfectly finished on both sides and designed to be freely positioned in space, even at the center of a room. The rotating structure allows easy access from every angle, making it both highly functional and visually striking.

Design & Function
The large sliding glass panels make the cabinet perfectly suited as a display cabinet, bookcase, or bar cabinet, allowing books, decorative objects, bottles, or collectibles to be elegantly showcased while preserving the purity of its architectural form.
Its rotating base and counterbalanced opening system provide an intuitive and dynamic user experience, while the freestanding double-face construction offers exceptional versatility for residential, gallery, showroom, or executive interiors.

Materials & Aesthetic
The glossy red lacquer amplifies light and reinforces the iconic character of the design, perfectly expressing the bold formal experimentation of Italian furniture during the 1980s.
The balance between solid lacquered volumes and transparent sliding glass creates a sophisticated dialogue between mass and lightness, while the integrated mechanical system adds a unique architectural dimension to the piece.

Technical Details
Product: Cini Boeri Double-face rotating Bookcase / Cabinet in red lacquer by Arflex 1980
Designer: Cini Boeri
Manufacturer: Arflex
Period: 1980s
Materials: Gloss lacquered wood; glass
Dimensions: Length: 77 cm | Depth: 55 cm | Height: 156 cm
Condition: Please note that this item is in good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to take these characteristics into consideration before purchasing.
Functionality: Rotating double-face display cabinet with counterbalanced sliding glass panels, suitable as a bookcase, display cabinet, or bar cabinet.

Collectibility
A rare and highly scenographic example of Italian design from the 1980s, distinguished by its architectural presence, sophisticated mechanical system, and innovative double-face construction. It perfectly represents the experimental approach that made Arflex one of the leading manufacturers of modern Italian furniture.

Designer & Manufacturer
Cini Boeri was one of the most influential figures in post-war Italian design, internationally recognized for combining functional intelligence, architectural thinking, and innovative domestic solutions. Throughout her career, she created furniture distinguished by clean geometries, versatility, and a constant attention to the relationship between people, objects, and space.
Founded in Milan in 1947, Arflex became one of the pioneers of modern Italian furniture, distinguished by its continuous experimentation with materials, technology, and industrial production. Collaborating with leading designers including Franco Albini, Joe Colombo, Cini Boeri, and Motomi Kawakami, the company produced some of the most iconic furnishings of the twentieth century and remains one of the most important names in Italian design history. This piece has an attribution mark,
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