Shiro Kuramata Seating
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.
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Stainless Steel
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1970s French Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal, Chrome
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Iron
1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
20th Century American Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Iron
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal, Steel
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1990s European Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1950s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1990s Swedish Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
2010s American Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Stainless Steel
1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Shiro Kuramata Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Stainless Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Hardwood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Iron
20th Century Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s Japanese Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1990s German Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Chrome
1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel
20th Century German Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Nickel
1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Chrome, Steel
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Seating
Metal
1990s Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Seating
Steel, Chrome