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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Style: Modern
Creator: Shiro Kuramata
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 1985 Sing Sing Sing Armchair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the Sing Sing Sing armchair, a stunning and iconic piece of furniture designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1985 and produced by xO in France. This ...
Category
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
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
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
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 "How High the Moon" Armchair in Steel Produced by Vitra, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early "High the Moon" chair designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Vitra in 1986. In great original condition with almost no signs of age and use.
A spectacular and icon...
Category
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Chest of Drawers Side 1 by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1990s
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Chest of drawers Side 1 by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1990s
Chest of drawers mod. Side 1 with a sinuous silhouette in wood. Th...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Rubber, Wood
Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet in Red Polish Acrylic Plastic for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The revolving cabinet looks like a mobile sculpture: light and innovative, it is the perfect emblem of the projects designed by Shiro Kuramata. Revol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Acrylic
GLASS TABLE 1976, by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Shiro Kuramata, Glas Italia
Located in Macherio, IT
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
Shiro Kuramata Ko Ko Service Table in Black Stained Ash for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Shiro Kuramata, the Ko-ko table is made of black-stained ash. The shape and placement of the handle, made of polished chromed metal, allows this piece also to be used as ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Ash
GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Shiro Kuramata, Glas Italia
Located in Macherio, IT
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 Steelpipe Drink Trolley in Metal for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed in 1968, the steel pipe drink trolley, by Shiro Kuramata, is still strikingly contemporary, a reflection of the research in which form and function are immediatel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Wire Mesh Arm Chair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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
Shiro Kuramata Sofa With Arms in Chromed Tubular Metal for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
An homage to the masters of early 20th century modernism, the sofa with arms armchair by Shiro Kuramata has a structure made of chromed tubular metal, p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Ivory Side Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
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
Shiro Kuramata 01 Chair in Polished Chrome or Matte Varnish for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Created as a tribute to the 1980s, the decade during which the original design was made and when Shiro Kuramata began his fertile collaboration with Cappellini, sedia 01 chair featur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Iron
Shiro Kuramata Sofa with Arms in White Leather and Metal Base for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
An homage to the masters of early 20th century modernism, the sofa with arms armchair by Shiro Kuramata has a structure made of chromed tubular metal, padded with polyurethane foam a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Shiro Kuramata 01 Chair in Anthracite Base and Cream Leather Seat for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Created as a tribute to the 1980s, the decade during which the original design was made and when Shiro Kuramata began his fertile collaboration with Cappellini, sedia 01 chair featur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Iron
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 Progetti Compiuti, Side 1 Cabinet in Ashwood for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
The Progetti Compiuti chest of drawers, designed by Shiro Kuramata, includes an array of furnishing elements with drawers. The frame of the side 1 ch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Ash
Shiro Kuramata Homage to Mondrian Red and Blue Cabinet for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
There is a strong connection between Capellini and the art world, as confirmed by the presence of the Homage to Mondrian cabinet in the catalogue. Thi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Wood
Shiro Kuramata Homage to Mondrian White and Yellow Cabinet for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
There is a strong connection between Capellini and the art world, as confirmed by the presence of the Homage to Mondrian cabinet in the catalogue. Thi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Wood
1960s Japanese "Sing Sing" Steel Mesh Armchair by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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
Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair in Steel Produced by Vitra, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early "High High The Moon" chair designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Vitra in 1986. In great original condition with almost no signs of age and use.
A spectacular...
Category
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Pyramid Chest of Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
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
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Previously Available Items
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Rare and early "High High The Moon" chair designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Vitra in 1986. In great original condition with almost no signs of age and use.
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1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Furniture
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Steel
H 28.35 in W 36.62 in D 31.89 in
Side 2" Storage Unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
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Side 2" storage unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
In 1970, Shiro Kuramata designed a series of chests of drawers in different shapes. The frame is made of black-stained ash and ...
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Shiro Kuramata " How High the Moon " Chair for Vitra
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Shiro Kuramata " How High the Moon " chair for Vitra. Nickel-plated steel mesh with vitra tag to the underside.
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"How High the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
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Located in Dronten, NL
"How high the Moon" armchair.
Designed in 1986 and handmade by Kurosaki for Vitra.
Nickel-plated expanded steel mesh.
In production from 1987-200...
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"How high the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
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"How high the Moon" armchair.
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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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