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: Shiro Kuramata for Arata Isozaki "Tsukuba Center Hotel" Wall Mirror (1983)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in 足利市, JP
An exceptionally rare and historically important wall mirror, custom-designed in 1983 by Shiro Kuramata for the guest rooms of the Tsukuba Center Hotel (Tsukuba Daiichi Hotel). This...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
$3,183Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.2 in W 16.93 in D 1.19 in
attr. Gio Ponti by Fontana Arte brass wall mirror, Hotel Bristol, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
a rectangular curved wall mirror attr. Gio Ponti and produced by Fontana Arte created for the forniture of the Hotel Bristol , 1950 glass, brass, walnut very good conditions meas...
Brass
Rare Pine Wall Mirror from Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden 1960´s
By Glasmäster
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This large round wall mirror, crafted by Glasmäster Markaryd in Sweden in the 1960s, features a solid pine frame with a warm, natural finish. The wood’s grain and knots add characte...
Pine
Sergio Mazza 'narciso' Wall Mirror For Artemide
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Hanover, MA
Brass anodized aluminum and steel wall mirror designed by Sergio Mazza for Artemide. The frame is virtually flawless and the golden metal frame gleams. Hangs from ~20 inches of...
$7,200
H 23.5 in W 18.5 in D 1 in
Luigi Fontana & C. for Fontana Arte Rare Shaped Brass Wall Mirror, Italy, 1940s
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Luigi Fontana & C. for Fontana Arte rare shaped brass wall mirror, Italy, 1940s. Manufacturer's stamp to the reverse. An elegant and iconic early example of Italian modernist mirror...
Brass
$1,450
H 20.5 in W 30.5 in D 1 in
Rare Lithagraph Printed Pink Flamingo Framed Wall Mirror Wall by R. Stern for Tu
By Turner Manufacturing Company
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage Art Deco Pink Flamingo Wall Mirror, c.1950's - Pairs Nicely with Many Mid-Century & Eclectic Styles - Designed by Turner Mfg (USA) - Original Mi...
Glass
Lisa Larson Wall Mirror for Gustavsberg
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Whimsical Swedish Modern ceramic mirror by Lisa Larsen for Gustavsberg. With multicolored birds in relief. Signed.
Ceramic, Mirror
$1,839Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 1.58 in
Post-Modern Geometric Italian Wall Mirror Piet Mondrian for Rimadesio
By (after) Piet Mondrian, Rimadesio
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Striking Post-Modern square wall mirror made in Italy in the 1980s, designed in the style of Piet Mondrian and attributed to Rimadesio. The composition is defined by a precise geomet...
Mirror
Rare Midcentury Flower Wall Mirror, Italy, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type
Mirror, Plastic
$24,500 / set
H 38 in W 33 in D 2.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani for AVB Rare Maple Mirror Rosewood and Maple Wall Console, 1940s
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, rare wall-mounted console and matching mirror in rosewood, carved maple and brass, Italy, 1945. The ensemble i...
Brass
Jorge Zalszupin Hotel Gloria Mirror
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful and rare vintage mirror by Brazilian master Jorge Zalszupin designed for the Hotel Gloria in Rio de Janeiro. Once considered the most glamorous hotel in Brazil, guests incl...
Mirror, Wood
Hand Painted Chinoiserie Wall Mirror for LaBarge
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wall mirror having a ridged brass frame and hand painted Chinoiserie decoration, signed by the artist.
Glass
$2,457
H 41.54 in W 17.72 in D 1.19 in
Rare Henning Kjærnulf Scalloped Oak Wall Mirror, Denmark, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Ystad, SE
Rare Henning Kjærnulf Scalloped Oak Wall Mirror, Denmark, 1960s Rare Danish Henning Kjærnulf wall mirror, crafted in solid oak and featuring the designer’s characteristic sculptural...
Mirror, Oak
Mirror for Tsukuba Daiichi Hotel by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
This mirror is commissioned work for Tsukuba Daiichi Hotel by Shiro Kuramata. Tsukuba Daiichi hotel was designed by Arata Isozaki, and open in 1983. Kuramata was in charge of interi...
Mirror, Oak