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Shiro Kuramata Clocks

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
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 Clocks

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

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 Clocks

Materials

Acrylic

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

Spiral Clock a Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern

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 Clocks

Materials

Steel

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

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 Clocks

Materials

Steel

Spiral Clock B #2 black Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
Spiral Clock B #2 black Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern

Spiral Clock B #2 black Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern

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Previously Available Items
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 Clocks

Materials

Acrylic

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

H 2.76 in Dm 6.7 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 Clocks

Materials

Acrylic

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

H 2.76 in Dm 6.7 in L 2.76 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

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Minimalist Shiro Kuramata Clocks

Materials

Acrylic

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

H 2.76 in Dm 6.7 in L 2.76 in
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 Clocks

Materials

Acrylic

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

Spiral Clock A Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern

H 3.15 in Dm 11.03 in

Shiro Kuramata clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Shiro Kuramata clocks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of steel and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Shiro Kuramata clocks, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Shiro Kuramata clocks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $600 and can go as high as $1,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $600.

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