Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Japanese, 1934-1991
Few designers have blended Minimalism and Surrealism into artistic furniture as successfully as Shiro Kuramata. His experimentation with form, function, color and motif informed cabinets, chairs and side tables that are as mystifying as they are visually striking.
Born in Tokyo in 1934, Kuruamata studied at the Kuwasawa Design School. In the 1970s and ’80s, he explored industrial materials in his designs. Inspired by Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass, Kuramata produced irreverent and bold work. In 1981, Kuramata joined Sottsass in his founding of the Memphis Group, named for a Bob Dylan song. The Milan-based collective aimed to turn the status quo on its head and redefine what was considered appealing in modern furniture style.
His experience with the Memphis Group led Kuramata to embrace unconventional optical effects. No piece embodies this more skillfully than the Miss Blanche chair. Crafted with transparent resin and flecked with rose-petal flecks, it gives the illusion that the sitter is floating.
The How High the Moon armchair is a prime example of his playful nature and willingness to challenge the expectations for furniture design. Including shards of colored glass in concrete surfaces, his “star piece” material was prevalent throughout his work, giving the tops of his end tables and coffee tables a brazen, gem-encrusted appearance. His daring approach to design can also be seen in pieces like his sheer glass bookcases with their seemingly fragile shelves.
Kuramata created many visual delights before his death in 1991. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His pieces remain highly prized by collectors and design enthusiasts worldwide.
On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Shiro Kuramata seating, storage pieces, decorative objects and more.
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Creator: Shiro Kuramata
Nara Coffee Table by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Nara is a coffee table designed by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano in 1983.
This iconic piece, representative of the Memphis movement, is crafted from concrete conglomerate and te...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Memphis Table By Shiro Kuramata Sally Glass Chrome Rolling Table, 1987
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Vienna, AT
Round rolling table sally by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis, 1987
Dimensions are 30.31" x 23.35" x 23.35"
Iconic table 'Sally' by Shiro Kuramata, Japan, 1987 for Memphis. Comprised of ...
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Spiral Clock B Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock B designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.
Category
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
GLASS TABLE 1976, by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Glas Italia, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Shown here is the glass table 1976. The low table characterised by the very refined minimal aspect with feet in mm. 24 thick transparent glass, thermo-welded to the top in mm. 12 thi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass
GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Glas Italia, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass Shelves #1 (1976) Shelves is shown here in the transparent glass. Bookcase characterised by the extraordinary formal cleanness and the golden proportions, entirely realized in ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Small model. Acrylic block which pink is inside and glass tube.
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Rare Shiro Kuramata Solaris cabinet for Cappellini designed in 1977
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Skokie, IL
The Solaris is a commanding and haunting cabinet that stands assertively on four long legs. Solaris is part of the famous modern cabinet series: Progetti Compiuti designed in 1977. ...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Brass
Nara Serving Table, by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Shiro Kuramata
1983
Service table made with the traditional technique of terrazzo in concrete conglomerate and coloured glass.
Nara perfectly combines the Japanese aesthetic traditi...
Category
2010s Italian Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning "Revolving Cabinet" by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, Italy.
The revolving cabinet looks like a mobile sculpture: light and innovative, it is the perfect emblem of the proj...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Modern design Shiro Kuramata chairs
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Rare Shiro Kuramata design chairs model R401
Produced by Pastoe 1986
Black metal square frame with mesh seating.
Rubber details on the armrest
There are 6 chairs available.
The pri...
Category
1980s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Kyoto Metal and Terrazo End Table, by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collect.
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Kyoto end table in metal and terrazzo, designed in 1983 by Shiro Kuramata.
Shiro Kuramata studied architecture at Tokyo Polytechnic in Tokyo unti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Shiro Kuramata-How High the Moon Armchairs for Vitra, 1986
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in PARIS, FR
The "How High the Moon" armchair, a masterpiece conceived by the esteemed Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata, is crafted from nickel-plated steel mesh and produced by Vitra in Switze...
Category
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ivory Side Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Ivory side table has a beautiful contrasting laminate pattern, designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 191...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass, Plastic
How High the Moon Chair by Shiro Kuramata for Vitra, 1986
By Vitra, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Aachen, NW
Authentic "How high the moon" armchair by Shiro Kuramata for Vitra, 1986.
The chair features a stainless steel base which was all fixed together by hand.
An absolute iconic piece wi...
Category
1990s German Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Nikko Drawers in Metal and Wood by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Nikko drawers in metal and wood by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano collection
Additional information:
Drawers on metal structure, in wood and painted finish.
Collection: Memph...
Category
2010s Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Kuramata Side 1 Furniture in Irregular Form 1989
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
A Kuramata side 1 eighteen drawers cabinet in cherrywood.
Shiro Kuramata was a Japanese designer from 1965 when he founded the Kuramata Design Office in Tokyo...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Wool
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer.
Another name Oba ...
Category
1970s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Acrylic
Four Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Set of six available.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing chair...
Category
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian modern black wood coffee table Ko-Ko Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1986
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood coffee table Ko-Ko Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1986
Coffee table mod. Ko-Ko in black wood with a square base. On ...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
HAL1 Table Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
HAL1 table designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cassina Interdecor in 1988. Unique steel legs and white painted Oriented strand board.
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Spiral Clock a Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata How High The Moon
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Shiro Kuramata's ‘How High the Moon’ chair is famously ironic for its use of thin metal mesh to reinterpret the form of a traditionally wide an...
Category
Late 20th Century European Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Spiral Clock B #3 Silver Body Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock B #3 silver body designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.
Black body model is also available.
Category
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Shiro Kuramata Acrylic Pink Vase, Large Japanese Postmodern
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata acrylic pink vase large model. Mint condition. Pink and clear acrylic bock with glass tube.
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
20th Century Shiro Kuramata Vase Mod. Ikebana - Big in Glass by '80s
By Shiro Kuramata, Cristalleria ColleVilca
Located in Turin, Turin
Shiro Kuramata was one of the most important Japanese designers of the 20th century. The charm of the works of Shiro Kuramata lies in the perfect combination of the traditional aesth...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass
Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chair for XO, France 1985, six available
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Six available in total.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing chair...
Category
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of Six Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France, 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Sold individually upon request.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s tr...
Category
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Spiral Ashtray2 Minimalist Japanese Design
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's ashtray1. Made of black aluminum.
Rather optical art object than usual astray.
Category
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Shiro Kuramata Spiral Ashtray1 Minimalist Japanese Design
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's ashtray1. Made of black aluminum.
Rather optical art object than usual astray.
Category
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chairs for XO, France 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Set of four or six available.
Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material.
The sing sing sing...
Category
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Hammer House
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hammer house object by Shiro Kuramata.
Never used condition in box.
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Zinc
Spiral Clock B #2 black Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock B #2 black body designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.
Category
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
"Sing Sing Sing" Chair by Shiro Kuramata for XO, France 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful Sing Sing Sing chair, designed by Shiro Kuramata and manufactured by XO, 1985.
The chair is crafted from tubular steel and expanded steel ...
Category
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
“Sing Sing” Chair by Shiro Kuramata for XO, France 1970
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A fantastic “Sing Sing” chair designed by Shiro Kuramata, manufactured by XO in France in the 1980s.
This exceptional chair features a distinctive, architectural form that capture...
Category
1970s French Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1982 Shiro Kuramata - Nikko Cabinet
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Naples, FL
Design by Shiro Kuramata - Nikko Cabinets
2 of the first produced cabinets out of only 11 ever made
impressive scale in excellent condition
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
"Haru" coffee table by Shiro Kuramata, 1970s
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in PARIS, FR
Haru glass coffee table by japanese designer Shiro Kuramata, 1976. An iconic piece of international design with thermally welded legs and a clear tempered crystal top. slight chip on...
Category
Mid-20th Century Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass
Oba-Q Ghost Lamp by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Naples, FL
Origin: Japan, Produced by Yamigiwa 1972
Category
1970s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Acrylic
Italian Modern Pyramid Chest of Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980s
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern transparent and black plexiglass Pyramid chest of drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980s
Pyramid model chest of drawe...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Plexiglass
Shiro Kuramata Wire Mesh Arm Chair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Queens, NY
Japanese Post-War Design (1960s) steel wire mesh "Sing Sing" arm chair with roll form back & front to seat supported on a chrome tubular frame. (Shiro Kuramata).
Category
20th Century American Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
1960s Japanese "Sing Sing" Steel Mesh Armchair by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Queens, NY
Designed by Shiro Kuramata, 1960s Japanese steel wire mesh "Sing Sing" armchair with roll form back and front to seat supported on a chrome tubular frame.
Category
1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Japan Mid-Century Floor Lamp Ghost 'Fantasma' by Kuramata for Yamagiwa, 1972
By Yamagiwa, Shiro Kuramata
Located in MIlano, IT
Japan mid-century Floor lamp ghost (Fantasma) by Kuramata for Yamagiwa, 1972.
Floor lamp ghost (Fantasma) in plexiglass. The white acrylic glass shade has the shape of a floating clo...
Category
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Sing Sing Sing Chair by Shiro Kuramata for XO
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Naples, FL
Origin: Japan / France, Produced by XO - 1985
Chrome is in excellent condition
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Imperial Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Imperial cabinet with internal shelf by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano collection
Available in silver, black and aubergine. In stock th...
Category
2010s Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
HAL2 Chair Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
HAL2 chair designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cassina Inderdecor in 1987.
Vinyl seat and expand metal back.
Category
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
20th Century Shiro Kuramata Vase Mod. Ikebana, Small in Glass by '80s
By Cristalleria ColleVilca, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Turin, Turin
Shiro Kuramata was one of the most important Japanese designers of the 20th century. The charm of the works of Shiro Kuramata lies in the perfect combination of the traditional aesth...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Glass
Shiro Kuramata furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Shiro Kuramata furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Shiro Kuramata furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 53 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 19 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Shiro Kuramata were created in the modern style in japan during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by and Masanori Umeda. Prices for Shiro Kuramata furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $600 and can go as high as $80,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,460.
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