Cini Boeri “Gradual System” Armchairs for Gavina, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 4
Description
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” armchairs for Gavina, black leather, Italy, 1970, set of 4.
Designed in 1970 by Cini Boeri for Gavina, these armchairs belong to the iconic “Gradual System” — a groundbreaking modular design conceived as a response to the evolving dynamics of domestic life. With their clean geometric volumes and soft upholstery, the armchairs rest on sculptural black fiberglass bases, which originally integrated storage compartments and mobility features such as casters, allowing for seamless reconfiguration within the living space.
The design embodies Boeri’s vision of adaptability: seating elements that maintain their autonomy while remaining part of a larger architectural system. The interplay between softness and structural clarity, between comfort and control, speaks to the radical spirit of 1970s Italian design.
Unveiled the same year as Mario Bellini’s “Camaleonda,” the “Gradual System” reflects a broader cultural shift toward modularity and spatial freedom. Boeri’s work emerged from a rich design dialogue with contemporaries such as Gio Ponti, Ettore Sottsass, Nanda Vigo, and the Castiglioni brothers — figures who helped define the Italian avant-garde of the period.
These armchairs, elegant and forward-looking, stand as refined expressions of that ethos: pieces that do not merely furnish space, but subtly redefine the way we inhabit it.
Dimensions
Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)
Width: 51.97 in (132 cm)
Depth: 36.23 in (92 cm)
Seat Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)
Design
1970
Manufacture
1970-1979
Material
Leather
Condition
Our atelier restored and reupholstered the item.
We offer custom restoration and special reupholstering on request. Contact us for additional information.