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.
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.
Steel
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.
Steel
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. ...
Aluminum
Shiro Kuramata Hammer House
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hammer house object by Shiro Kuramata. Never used condition in box.
Zinc
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. ...
Aluminum
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. Black steel frame and white plate in minimalist style.
Steel
$2,500 / item
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.
Glass, Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata flower vase blue 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. ...
Aluminum
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.
Acrylic
20th Century, Shiro Kuramata Vase Mod. Ikebana, Small 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...
Glass
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.
Glass, Acrylic
$6,987Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 rare hand blown Soliflore ikebana glass vases by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Rare Soliflore Ikebana vases by Shiro Kuramata, for Cristalleria ColleVilca. Suited to house a single stem each, these delicate hand blown vases featured a single leaf-like element, ...
Blown Glass
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.
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.
Aluminum
Signed Japanese Arita Kakiemon Vase with Flowers Design 1950s
By Arita, Sakaida Kakiemon Xii
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mid century Signed Japanese Kakiemon Arita Imari Vase with Flowers.Signed Japanese Kakiemon vase by Sakaida Kakiemon XIII (1906-1982). A beautif...
Porcelain
Japanese Modern Minimalist LAAB Dome Vase Raku Ceramic White Crakle
By LAAB Milano
Located in monza, Monza and Brianza
Dome vase Singular, unpredictable cracks and tiny speckles distinguish the captivating aesthetic of this vase, featuring a cylindrical base and mouth incorporated within the spher...
Ceramic
$1,900
H 11.5 in W 12 in D 2.5 in
Arthur Secunda Acrylic Sculpture Title "Life" Signed, Numbered, 12/20
By Arthur Secunda
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sculpture celebrating " Life" by the well known artist Arthur Second. This piece has a dedication under base as shown .Is signed and numbe...
Acrylic
Japanese Vase with Birds and Flowers Design
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Japanese vase with birds and flowers design Meiji period relief decoration late 19th century Japanese origin piece in perfect condition pa...
Bronze
1980s Postmodern Canetti Wall Clock
By Wakita
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vibrant postmodern wall clock from Canetti's Moderntime Collection, showcasing the playful geometric abstraction of perfect 1980s design. Featuring a light gray face encased in a m...
Metal
1960s Minimalist Orange Vase Sake Bottle Japan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1960s modern minimalist aesthetic orange vase. Small bud vase Japanese sake bottle. Maker stamp ATC Dimensions: 5 H x 2 diameter. Please visit take a look...
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark.
Plastic
Glass Houses
By Phaidon
Located in New York, NY
An inspiring collection of 50 spectacular houses built almost entirely from glass Glass Houses presents 50 stunning architect-designed homes that utilize glass to maximum effect. Th...
Paper
1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Wall Clock by Milano Series
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nailing the iconic energy of the 1980s, this vibrant Memphis style wall clock by Milano Series features bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors and all the playful and irrev...
Glass, Plastic
Large Wooden Japanese Clock, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This wooden wall clock by Aichi was produced in Japan in the 1920s. With its round, black wooden frame and easy-to-read dial, the clock hung in stations, schools, and government buil...
Iron
Postmodern Pyramid Desk or Table Clock by Makiko Taniguchi, Japan, 1980s
By Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful post-modern black and red triangle desk / table / mantel clock from the 1980s. Designed by Makiko Taniguchi, Japan. Made of metal and plastic...
Metal
$930 / item
H 12.6 in Dm 10.24 in
Japanese Modern Minimalist LAAB Dome L Vase Raku Ceramic White Crakle
By LAAB Milano
Located in monza, Monza and Brianza
Dome L vase A bulging body marked by generous curves and enlivened by tiny dark speckles defines this exquisite ceramic vase, whose characteristic, delicate cracks result from a d...
Ceramic
"Vase #2" Acrylic Bud Vase by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is the "#2 Vase" by Shiro Kuramata, featuring the classic beautiful submersion of pink. This sculptural vase is 4.5" x 4.5" x 7.5, a wonderful size for a desk accessory or a wel...
Lucite, Glass
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.
Steel
Shiro Kuramata " How High the Moon " Chair for Vitra
By Vitra, Shiro Kuramata
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Shiro Kuramata " How High the Moon " chair for Vitra. Nickel-plated steel mesh with vitra tag to the underside.
Nickel
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.
Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase spare glass tube
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Two spare glass tubes
Glass, Acrylic
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.
Acrylic
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.
Glass, Acrylic
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.
Glass, Acrylic
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.
Glass, Acrylic
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.
Glass, Acrylic
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.
Glass, Acrylic
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.
Glass, Acrylic