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Shiro Kuramata

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.

Average Sold Price
$6,167
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Shiro Kuramata flower vase pale pink acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Shiro Kuramata flower vase pale pink acrylic Japanese minimalist style

Shiro Kuramata flower vase pale pink acrylic Japanese minimalist style

By Shiro Kuramata

Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...

Category

2010s Japanese Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata

Materials

Aluminum

Shiro Kuramata flower vase violet acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Shiro Kuramata flower vase violet acrylic Japanese minimalist style

Shiro Kuramata flower vase violet acrylic Japanese minimalist style

By Shiro Kuramata

Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...

Category

2010s Japanese Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata

Materials

Aluminum

Ivory Side Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Ivory Side Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection

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

Materials

Glass, Plastic

Spiral Clock B #3 Silver Body Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen
Spiral Clock B #3 Silver Body Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen

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

Materials

Steel

Spiral Clock B Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
Spiral Clock B Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern

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

Materials

Steel

Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)

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

Materials

Acrylic

"Apple Honey" chair by Shiro Kuramata for Pastoe
"Apple Honey" chair by Shiro Kuramata for Pastoe

"Apple Honey" chair by Shiro Kuramata for Pastoe

$3,836 / item

H 27.96 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in

"Apple Honey" chair by Shiro Kuramata for Pastoe

By Shiro Kuramata, Pastoe

Located in Paris, FR

Grey lacquered steel frame, chromed tubular metal armrests, seat upholstered in black faux leather, underside of the seat covered with beige fabric. Model designed in 1985. Kuramata...

Category

1980s Dutch Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata

Materials

Metal

"Sing Sing Sing" Chair by Shiro Kuramata for XO, France 1985
"Sing Sing Sing" Chair by Shiro Kuramata for XO, France 1985

"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

Materials

Metal

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Shiro Kuramata Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$600Wall ClocksSteel2010s
2025$600Wall ClocksSteel2010s
2025$15,000Dining Room TablesSteel, Wood1988
2025$14,000ArmchairsStainless Steel1986
2025$2,500CabinetsSteel, Plastic2013
2025$1,600Table LampsAcrylicCirca 1970
$6,167
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$600-$16,701
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Shiro Kuramata

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.