Cini Boeri, for Rosenthal

CINI BOERI (Milan, 1924–2020) for Rosenthal.
“Ypsilon” dining table, Germany, 1980s.
Wood and aluminum. Circular top with a natural finish and a black-lacquered base.
Marked on the underside: “Ypsilon. Design: Cini Boeri. Rosenthal Einrichtung.”
In good condition, with slight scuffs and signs of use.
Measurements: 72.5 x Ø 140 cm.

The “Ypsilon” table is an interesting design by Cini Boeri for the German firm Rosenthal, representative of the geometric purity and structural experimentation that characterized European design in the 1980s. Its composition combines a large circular tabletop made of light-colored wood with a unique lower structure formed by vertical planes arranged radially, creating a base with a distinctly architectural character. The contrast between the warmth of the wood and the black finish of the supports accentuates the definition of its volumes and the visual lightness of the piece as a whole.

Cini Boeri was one of the leading figures in 20th-century Italian design and architecture. After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1951, she collaborated with Marco Zanuso before establishing her own studio in 1963. Throughout her career, she worked for firms such as Arflex, Knoll, Fiam, and Rosenthal, developing innovative designs focused on functionality, flexibility, and the relationship between furniture and the domestic space. In 1979, she received the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award for her “Strips” seating system. His work is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, which houses, among other designs, his famous “Ghost” armchair from 1987.