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.
"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 Sing Sing Sing Chair, Steel, Mid-Century, Circa 1985
By XO Design, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sing Sing Sing chair designed by Shiro Kuramata circa 1985 in France Coated steel. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with ag...
Steel
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
Vintage Armchair 1960s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Armchair with foam padding, fabric upholstery, metal legs with brass ferrule. Very good condition, completely renovated in padding and fabric.
Fabric
$2,204
H 30.71 in W 20.87 in D 18.12 in
Peregalli and Calatroni Post Modern Armchair, circa 1985, Italy
By Maurizio Peregalli
Located in Brussels, BE
Post-modern Maurizio Peregalli and Sergio Calatroni chair, edited by Zeus circa 1985, Italy. Poltrona model. Black powder-coated square steel tube, bl...
Metal
Shiro Kuramata "Sing Sing Sing" Chair for XO France 1985
By XO Design, Shiro Kuramata
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
Philippe Starck Dr. Sonderbar Chair for XO- France, 1980
By XO Design, Philippe Starck
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
$4,080Sale Price / set|45% Off
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
Scandinavian Armchair, 1960s
Located in Neuss, NW
Wonderful armchair from the 1960s in the style of Esko Pajamies. High quality teak frame with new padding and the washed original 100% virgin wool cover. Quality Features: very good...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
$1,653
H 53.55 in W 33.86 in D 22.05 in
Mid Century Emmanuel Peacock Wicker Rattan Chair. C.1960 Italy
Located in London, GB
Mid century Emmanuel peacock wicker Rattan chair. C.1960 Italy In very good condition commensurate with age. general expected signs of wear.
Wicker, Rattan
1960s Armchair, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with some signs of use - Sturdy and stable.
Fabric
Philippe Starck Sonderbar armchair XO 1983
By Philippe Starck
Located in Grenoble, FR
Philippe Starck iconic armchair model Sonderbar which already represents all the concept orientations of this designer. Ultra-rare Disform Edition XO The chair is characterized by it...
Iron
A " Pat Conley 2 " Armchair by Philippe Starck for XO 1980s
By Philippe Starck
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A " Pat Conley 2 " armchair by Philippe Starck 1980 / 1990 XO Editeur Radical design. Dark grey colour Signed. In very good condition
Metal
$5,672Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 20.08 in D 25.99 in
Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chair for XO, France 1985, six available
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Six available in total. Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material. The sing sing sing chair...
Metal
Stainless Steel Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Classic spoon back chair with a stainless steel frame. Black fabric seat and tufted fabric back.
Stainless 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