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.
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer. Another name Oba ...
Acrylic
Japan Mid-Century Floor Lamp Ghost 'Fantasma' by Kuramata for Yamagiwa, 1972
By Shiro Kuramata, Yamagiwa
Located in MIlano, IT
Japan mid-century Floor lamp ghost (Fantasma) by Kuramata for Yamagiwa, 1972. Floor lamp ghost (Fantasma) in plexiglass. The white acrylic glass shade has the shape of a floating clo...
Metal
Large rare beautiful 1960s table lamp by Temde made of pinewood
By Temde Leuchten
Located in München, DE
Large, unusual 1960s table lamp by Temde. With original label on the bottom. Great abstract design. Reminds you a bit of the Art Deco era. Lamp is made entirely of dark pinewood. Lar...
Fabric, Pine
Mid Century Floor Lamp
By Majestic Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Mid Century floor lamp having two exaggerated arms, each with a shaded light at the top. This example is in good, clean, work ...
Brass
$5,890 / set
H 23 in W 7 in D 9 in
Rare Large Pair of 1970s Murano “Ghost” Lamps, Gino Vistosi — Hand-Blown Opaline
By Gino Vistosi
Located in Toronto, CA
Monumental in presence and sculptural in form, this exceptionally rare pair of Murano “Ghost” lamps represents some of the most sophisticated Italian...
Murano Glass
$7,795
H 72.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos Fantasma Piccolo Mid Century Floor Lamp
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos Fantasma Piccolo Mid Century Floor Lamp This lamp measures: 18.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 72.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Lamp is in good shape ove...
Metal
FORNASETTI Rare Larger Vintage Table Lamp
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal in malachite design (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original label on the base 1 ligh...
Metal
$5,000
H 69.3 in W 11.42 in D 9.85 in
Rare Sculptural 'Ritto' Floor Lamp by Leonardi & Stagi for Lumenform, 1972
By Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A beautiful and rare example of the highly sculptural 'Ritto' floor lamp finished in its original and strikingly elegant midnight, 'Prussian blue', almost black, enameled steel. D...
Steel
$2,580 / item
H 23 in W 7 in D 9 in
2 Rare Large 1970s Murano “Ghost” Lamps, Gino Vistosi — Hand-Blown Opaline
By Gino Vistosi
Located in Toronto, CA
Monumental in presence and sculptural in form, this exceptionally rare Murano “Ghost” table lamp represents some of the most sophisticated Italian gla...
Murano Glass
$13,790
H 72.05 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Fantasma Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1961
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The ‘Fantasma’ floor lamp (translating to ghost in Italian) is a modern and minimalist lighting fixture designed by Italian architect Tobia Scarpa. It was first introduced in 1961 as...
Metal
Mid-Century Floor Lamp by Christian Koban for DOM
Located in Austin, TX
Floor lamp designed by Christian Koban and made by German company DOM. This piece is supported by a Carrara marble spheric base holding the main chrome...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Large White Oba-Q "Ghost" K Series Lamp by Shiro Kuramata
By Yamagiwa, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Saint Louis, US
This Shiro Kuramata ghost lamp. A novel collectors furnishing, this is a great conversation piece. The clever design resembles a white cloth floati...
Acrylic
Large Rare Midcentury Table Lamp, Italy, 1970s.
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting¨ - rare type - large - perfect original condition
Metal
OBA, Swedish Modern, Desk Lamp, Brass, Metal, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
OBA, Swedish Mid Century Modern, Table Lamp, Brass, Enameled Metal, Sweden, 1950's A brass & enameled table lamp with one arm and adjustable head produced by OBA in Sweden in th...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 14.96 in W 18.11 in D 18.11 in
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Medium size)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer. Another name Oba ...
Acrylic
Sold
H 14.96 in W 18.11 in D 18.11 in
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Medium size)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer. Another name Oba ...
Acrylic
Sold
H 23.03 in W 27.55 in D 27.55 in
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer. Another name Oba ...
Acrylic
Small White Oba-Q "Ghost" K Series Lamp by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata, Yamagiwa
Located in Saint Louis, US
This Shiro Kuramata Ghost lamp. A novel collectors furnishing, this is a great conversation piece. The clever design resembles a white cloth floati...
Metal
Shiro Kuramata white acrylic Ghost Lamp Large
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ghost lamp designed by Shiro Kuramata. Three different sizes used to be produced. This one is the middle size in variation. Really good condition. E26 or 27...
Acrylic
Sold
H 22 in W 24 in D 24 in
Large Oba-Q K Series 'Ghost' Lamp, Shiro Kuramata for Yamagiwa, Japan, 1972
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Large Oba-Q K series floor lamp by Shiro Kuramata. White acrylic shade with external light source. Excellent condition. Kuramata, one of the most influe...
Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata White Acrylic Ghost Lamp Large
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ghost lamp designed by Shiro Kuramata. Three different sizes used to be produced. This one is the middle size in variation. Really good condition. E26 or 2...
Acrylic
2 Shiro Kuramata white acrylic Ghost Lamp Large
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ghost lamp designed by Shiro Kuramata. Three different sizes used to be produced. This one is the middle size in variation. Really good condition. E26 or 27...
Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata White Acrylic Ghost Lamp Small
By Shiro Kuramata, Yamagiwa
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata Oba-Q ghost lamp small model. Excellent condition.
Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata K Series Table Lamp or Ghost Lamp or OBA-Q Lamp
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Chicago, IL
Shiro Kuramata K series table lamp or ghost lamp or OBA-Q lamp The shade of molded sheet of acrylic is like a covering of soft, white cloth. ...
Acrylic
Shiro Kuramata white acrylic Ghost Lamp Large
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ghost lamp designed by Shiro Kuramata. Three different sizes used to be produced. This one is the middle size in variation. Really good condition. E26 or 2...
Acrylic
Large Ghost Lamp by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent acrylic lamp by Shiro Kuramata, one of Japan's most influential designers of the 20th century. Acrylic shade sits on top of single socket. Great vintage condition. Very uni...
Acrylic