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Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

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
Shiro Kuramata Vase #2
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Naples, FL
Origin: Japan Produced by Nichinn / Spiral Circa 1980s Extremely rare vintage example. Not current production.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Vase #3
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Naples, FL
Origin: Japan Produced by Nichinan / Spiral Circa 1980 Extremely rare vintage example. Not current production.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

"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...
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite, 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.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Spiral Clock B #3 Black Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock B #3 black body designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.  
Category

1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

20th Century Shiro Kuramata Vase Mod. Ikebana - Big 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Hammer House Green Roof Model Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hammer house object by Shiro Kuramata. Green roof model. Never used condition in box.   
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Zinc

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Zinc

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Spiral Clock B #2 Silver Body Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock B #2 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Acrylic Vase Violet
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. Contemporary single flower vase.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Acrylic Vase Blue
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminum tube put into acrylic block.  Contemporary single flower vase.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

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Previously Available Items
Shiro Kuramata " How High the Moon " Chair for Vitra
By Vitra, Shiro Kuramata
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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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20th Century German Modern Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

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Spiral Clock B Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
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1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

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Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase spare glass tube
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Two spare glass tubes   
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

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Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase spare glass tube
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase spare glass tube
H 7.49 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

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.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

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.  
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
H 7.49 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
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 Decorative Objects

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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.   
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
H 7.49 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

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.
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

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.  
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
H 7.49 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Acrylic

Shiro Kuramata decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Shiro Kuramata decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Shiro Kuramata were created in the mid-century modern style in japan during the 1980s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Canetti, Shohei Mihara, and Wakita. Prices for Shiro Kuramata decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $600 and can go as high as $8,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,600.

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