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.
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
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
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
20th Century, Shiro Kuramata Vase Mod. Ikebana, Small in Glass by '80s
By Shiro Kuramata, Cristalleria ColleVilca
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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
Vase #1 by Shiro Kuramata, circa 1980, Japan.
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Vase #1 by Shiro Kuramata, 1980, manufactured by Ishimaru Co., Ltd., Japan. This iconic vase by Shiro Kuramata perfectly illustrates his unique approach to design, blending minimali...
Aluminum
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 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
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
Modernist Japanese Ikebana Vase, Japan, 20th Century
By Toyo
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist Japanese Ikebana Vase, Japan, 20th Century.
Ceramic
Solid Patinated English Bronze Crab Cancer Lidded Ashtray 420
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and heavy solid Bronze Ashtray in the shape of a Crab. This piece is a compliment as a decorative piece and also has a hinged top to be used as an ashtray for your perfect sm...
Bronze
Lalique French Crystal Jewelry Dish or Ashtray Leaf Design
By René Lalique, Lalique
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, signed, Lalique crystal dish with decorative leaf and indent design around edge, circa 20th century, France. Piece is from French luxury crystal maker Lalique. Made...
Crystal
$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
20th Century Italian Murano Glass Vase
Located in Antwerp, BE
An Italian Murano glass vase manufactured in the 1960s.
Glass, Murano Glass
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in Dm 5.91 in
Mid-20th Century Murano Glass Vase – A Soft Beauty in Art Glass
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in CABA, AR
This exquisite Murano vase, created in the mid-20th century, is a testament to Venetian craftsmanship at its finest. Its captivating color and soft form, along with the distinctive w...
Blown Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Green, Sculptural Design, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condition witho...
Murano Glass
$670 / item
H 10 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in
Hermanos Calavera Jefe in Oiled Mahogany by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda
By Miguel Silva, Wooda, Ilse Silva
Located in Omro, WI
These handsome but quirky brothers designed by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda are the result of an engaging mix of personality, love, fun and mischievousness. Los Hermanos Calavera ...
Hardwood, Mahogany, Maple, Oak
$1,840
H 16 in W 8 in D 8 in
Supreme x Beaver Fall 2022 Gumball Machine, Fall/Winter 2022, White and Red
By Supreme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Supreme x beever fall 2022 gumball machine, Fall/Winter 2022, white and red. Free-vend gumball machine with 8.5" shatter-resistant globe. Debossed logos on d...
Steel
Japanese Porcelain Studio Vase, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Depicting white and blue flowers in a brown basket. With underglazed blue mark. Makuzu Kozan.
Porcelain
Sold
H 26.38 in W 3.35 in D 3.35 in
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
"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 #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
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