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
$4,712Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
FORNASETTI Rare Larger Vintage Table Lamp
By Fornasetti, Piero 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
$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
Large 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...
Acrylic
$4,375
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 5.52 in
Rare Large RAAK ‘Light Sculpture’ Table Floor Lamp by Maurice Grothausen, 1960
By Maurice Grothausen, RAAK
Located in Echt, NL
Very rare RAAK ‘Light Sculpture’ table floor lamp in very good condition. The lamp consists of four anodized aluminum tubes, they all have a different shape and can be exchanged amo...
Aluminum
Rare Midcentury Table Lamps by Pokrok
By Pokrok
Located in Vienna, AT
Pokrok Zilina desk or table lamp minimalistic cubistic geometric design the case is made of metal one gray and one blue painted metal with a translucent plastic front on metal skids...
Metal
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
$8,751
H 33.47 in Dm 38.98 in
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
$6,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Rare Large Vetri Murano Mushroom Table Lamps, 1970s
By Vetri
Located in Oirlo, LI
This stunning pair of original Murano mushroom table lamps from the 1970s is a rare find. Their elegant design and exceptional craftsmanship make them a true statement piece, perfe...
Murano Glass
Rare and Early No.566 Table Lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and early table lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. very futuristic for a lamp made in 1956!
Metal
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
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
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