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.
20th Century Shiro Kuramata Steel Mesh 'How High The Moon' Armchairs For Vitra
By Vitra, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Madrid, ES
How High the Moon, designed by Shiro Kuramata for Vitra in 1986, is a poetic reflection on the very idea of the chair. Kuramata reinterprets one of the most recognizable forms of Wes...
Steel, Nickel
"Sing Sing Sing" Chair by Shiro Kuramata for XO, France 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful Sing Sing Sing chair, designed by Shiro Kuramata and manufactured by XO, 1985. The chair is crafted from tubular steel and expanded steel ...
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Wire Mesh Arm Chair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Queens, NY
Japanese Post-War Design (1960s) steel wire mesh "Sing Sing" arm chair with roll form back & front to seat supported on a chrome tubular frame. (Shiro Kuramata).
Metal, Steel
1960s Japanese "Sing Sing" Steel Mesh Armchair by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Queens, NY
Designed by Shiro Kuramata, 1960s Japanese steel wire mesh "Sing Sing" armchair with roll form back and front to seat supported on a chrome tubular frame.
Steel
$3,150Sale Price|25% Off
H 33 in W 26.75 in D 35 in
'Cité' Leather and Steel Lounge Chair by Jean Prouvé for Vitra, Signed
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by the iconic French engineer and designer Jean Prouvé, the Cité Lounge Chair is an example of his innovative approach to form and function. Originally created for the stude...
Metal
Early 20th Century French Armchair
Located in London, London
This French armchair showcases a blend of elegance and traditional craftsmanship. The chair features a sturdy oak frame, with its legs and arm supports intricately turned, adding a s...
Oak
Pair of Antique High Back Throne Armchairs, Early 20th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful pair of early 20th century antique high-back throne armchairs featuring beautifully carved dark solid wood frames with elegant scroll arms and turned details throughout. Th...
Fabric, Wood
Philippe Starck Dr. Sonderbar Chair for XO- France, 1980
By Philippe Starck, XO Design
Located in London, GB
Exaggerated curves of tubular steel and perforated sheet metal define The Dr Sonderbar Chair by French architect and designer Philippe Starck (b. 1949). Influenced by his childhood s...
Steel
Shiro Kuramata "Sing Sing Sing" Chair for XO France 1985
By Shiro Kuramata, XO Design
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Designed by the visionary Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata (1934–1991), this iconic “Sing Sing Sing” chair (1985) embodies a seamless dialogue between traditional Japanese sensibilit...
Metal
$5,100 / set
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 23.88 in
Pair of Wire-Brushed Oak and Leather Arm Chairs after Jean-Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF "BRIDGE METTEUR EN SCENE" (1932) WIRE-BRUSHED OAK AND SADDLE-LEATHER ARM CHAIRS AFTER JEAN-MICHEL FRANK Unmarked Circa third quarter of the 20th century brand new artisan-m...
Steel
$3,200
H 25.75 in W 24.5 in D 35.5 in
2020s Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini Sofa with Arms Lounge Chair in Green Leather
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sofa with Arms Lounge Chair, originally designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini in 1982. This particular example was produced in Italy in the 2020s. The design features a...
Metal
$6,694 / set
H 27.96 in W 19.69 in D 18.51 in
Pair of Shiro Kuramata Apple Honey chairs for XO - France, 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Shiro Kuramata originally designed the Apple Honey chairs at the request of architect Tadao Ando for the Mon Petit Chou café in Kyoto. Its curved, glossy line of tubular steel forms ...
Steel
$3,495 / set
H 32 in W 27 in D 24 in
Set of 4 Mid-Century Danish Modern Woodard Sculptura Mesh Arm Chairs
By John Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a set of 4 Mid-Century Modern outdoor armchairs designed by John Woodard, circa 1956 for the 'Sculptura' line. Features enameled and woven wrought iron. The c...
Wrought Iron
Poltrona Vintage Anni 60
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Poltrona con imbottitura in espanso, rivestimento in tessuto, gambe in metallo con puntale in ottone. Condizioni molto buone, completamente rinnovata nell'imbottitura e nel tessuto.
Fabric
$2,672
H 28.35 in W 21.26 in D 20.08 in
Philippe Starck Von Vogelsang Chair for Driade, circa 1985, France
By Philippe Starck
Located in Brussels, BE
Von Vogelsang chair by Philippe Starck for Driade, circa1985, France. Model created in 1985 for Cafe Rothschild. Tubular steel and perforated metal sheet...
Metal
HAL2 Chair Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
HAL2 chair designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cassina Inderdecor in 1987. Vinyl seat and expand metal back.
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 36.62 in D 31.89 in
Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair in Steel Produced by Vitra, 1995
By Vitra, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early example of Shiro Kuramatas iconic "How high the moon" armchair in steel produced by Vitra, 1995. In great original condition with the original stickers still attached....
Steel
Pair of Japanese Steel Mesh Armchairs
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Japanese Post-War Design (1960s) steel wire mesh "Sing Sing" Armchairs with roll form back & front to seat supported on a chrome tubular frame (SHIRO KURAMATA) Condition: Go...
Steel
Sofa with Arms by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Doral, FL
Sofa with Arms by Shiro Kuramata 1982 / 2007 Production by Cappellini Chromed Metal Tube, Fir & Plywood, Polyurethane Foam, Black Leat...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 28.35 in W 36.62 in D 31.89 in
Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair in Steel Produced by Vitra, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early "High the Moon" chair designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Vitra in 1986. In great original condition with almost no signs of age and use. A spectacular and icon...
Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 36.62 in D 31.89 in
Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair in Steel Produced by Vitra, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early "High High The Moon" chair designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Vitra in 1986. In great original condition with almost no signs of age and use. A spectacular...
Steel
Sold
H 34.65 in W 20.08 in L 34.65 in
Shiro Kuramata Steel Sing Armchair for Xo, Japanese Design, 1985
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Antwerp, BE
Shiro Kuramata; Armchair; Memphis member; Sing sing; Steel wire mesh: 1985 Japanese steel wire mesh "Sing Sing Sing" armchair by Shiro Kuramata. The chairs feature roll form backs...
Steel
Sold
H 25.99 in W 24.41 in D 36.23 in
Shiro Kuramata Pair of Armchairs Green Leather and Chrome Italy Vintage Patina
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Catania, IT
Armchairs designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1970s. Pair of armchairs with a chromed tubular structure that appears to be light and with a simplified design. These have a long rectangul...
Chrome
Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Epoxy coated nickel-plated steel "How High the Moon" Armchair by Shiro Kuramata, Japan / Germany, 1986-1987.
Metal
Shiro Kuramata Armchair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Dronten, NL
Armchair designed by Shiro Kuramata for Pastoe. Provenance: Pastoe new old stock. These beautiful chairs were made in very limited numbers, because at the time (1985) Pastoe was ...
Steel
Shiro Kuramata 1985 Sing Sing Sing Armchair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the Sing Sing Sing armchair, a stunning and iconic piece of furniture designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1985 and produced by xO in France. This ...
Steel
Shiro Kuramata Armchair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Dronten, NL
Armchair designed by Shiro Kuramata for Pastoe. Provenance: Pastoe new old stock. These chairs were made in very limited numbers, because at the time (1985) Pastoe was in a very ...
Steel
"How High the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Dronten, NL
"How high the Moon" armchair. Designed in 1986 and handmade by Kurosaki for Vitra. Nickel-plated expanded steel mesh. In production from 1987-200...
Nickel, Steel