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Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Japanese, 1934-1991

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.

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Creator: Shiro Kuramata
Shiro Kuramata-How High the Moon Armchairs for Vitra, 1986
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in PARIS, FR
The "How High the Moon" armchair, a masterpiece conceived by the esteemed Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata, is crafted from nickel-plated steel mesh and produced by Vitra in Switze...
Category

1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Armchair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, minimalist, modern, sleek, unique—a marvelous chair. Featured in the famous coffee table book: 1000 Chairs, Köln, 2000, p. 574 Title: "Sing, Sing, Sing" Armchair Designe...
Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

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 ...
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Shiro Kuramata Sofa With Arms in Chromed Tubular Metal for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
An homage to the masters of early 20th century modernism, the sofa with arms armchair by Shiro Kuramata has a structure made of chromed tubular metal, p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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...
Category

1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Steel

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...
Category

1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Shiro Kuramata 01 Chair in Polished Chrome or Matte Varnish for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Created as a tribute to the 1980s, the decade during which the original design was made and when Shiro Kuramata began his fertile collaboration with Cappellini, sedia 01 chair featur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Iron

"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 ...
Category

1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Shiro Kuramata Sofa with Arms in White Leather and Metal Base for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
An homage to the masters of early 20th century modernism, the sofa with arms armchair by Shiro Kuramata has a structure made of chromed tubular metal, padded with polyurethane foam a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Shiro Kuramata 01 Chair in Anthracite Base and Cream Leather Seat for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Created as a tribute to the 1980s, the decade during which the original design was made and when Shiro Kuramata began his fertile collaboration with Cappellini, sedia 01 chair featur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Shiro Kuramata Wire Mesh Arm Chair
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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).  
Category

20th Century American Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

1960s Japanese "Sing Sing" Steel Mesh Armchair by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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.
Category

1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of 1960s Japanese "Sing Sing" Armchairs by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1960s Japanese steel wire mesh "Sing Sing" armchairs by Shiro Kuramata. The chairs feature roll form backs and seats supported on a tubular chro...
Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Shiro Kuramata, How High the Moon, Vitra Edition
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Untersiggenthal, AG
Vitra limited 1. Edition with sticker Label produced in 1991.
Category

1990s European Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Metal

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Leather Armchair by Ugo La Pietra, 1985
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Rare leather armchair from the Flessuosa series by Ugo La Pietra for Busnelli, Italy, 1985. Comfortable smooth leather seater with a blueish grey leather inset from one of the former...
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Leather Armchair by Ugo La Pietra, 1985
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H 29.13 in W 30.31 in D 27.55 in
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Shiro Kuramata 01 Chair in Polished Chrome or Matte Varnish for Cappellini
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Created as a tribute to the 1980s, the decade during which the original design was made and when Shiro Kuramata began his fertile collaboration with Cappellini, sedia 01 chair featur...
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Blue Chrome Vinyl Shiro Chair, Kuramata Tribute, Ideal for Waiting Areas (80s)
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Mr B. Oak Armchair
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Mr B. Oak Armchair
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Solaria Armchair By Arrben 1980s
Solaria Armchair By Arrben 1980s
H 31.89 in W 24.02 in D 19.69 in
1960s Japanese "Sing Sing" Steel Mesh Armchair by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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.
Category

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Pair of Modern Shiro Kuramata Style Glass and Steel Chairs, 1980s / 1990s
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Shiro Kuramata Sofa with Arms in White Leather and Metal Base for Cappellini
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Shiro Kuramata 01 Chair in Anthracite Base and Cream Leather Seat for Cappellini
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Located in New York, NY
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Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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Previously Available Items
Shiro Kuramata How High the Moon Armchairs, Vitra, 1986
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Lille, Hauts-de-France
“How High the Moon” armchair by the Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata in nickel-plated steel mesh, manufactured by Vitra, Germany, the model designed in 1...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Metal

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...
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1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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Shiro Kuramata Pair of Armchairs Green Leather and Chrome Italy Vintage Patina
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Shiro Kuramata "How High the Moon" Armchair
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Epoxy coated nickel-plated steel "How High the Moon" Armchair by Shiro Kuramata, Japan / Germany, 1986-1987.     
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1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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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 ...
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1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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Steel

Shiro Kuramata Armchair
Shiro Kuramata Armchair
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
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 ...
Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Shiro Kuramata Armchair
Shiro Kuramata Armchair
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
"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...
Category

1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Materials

Nickel, Steel

"How High the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
"How High the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
H 27.96 in W 37.41 in D 31.89 in
"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 1987-2...
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1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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Nickel, Steel

"How high the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
"How high the Moon" Shiro Kuramata, 1986
H 27.96 in W 37.41 in D 31.89 in
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By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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Pair Of Armchairs By Shiro Kuramata (1934 - 1991), circa 1982
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Located in Girona, Spain
Pair of armchairs by Shiro Kuramata, circa 1982. manufactured by Cappellini. Italy, 1982. "Sofa with arms" armchair with tubular structure in chromed metal. Covering in leather. ...
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Late 20th Century Italian Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Pair of Kuramata armchairs, sofa with arms
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Limited edition in rattan ed capellini
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Late 20th Century Italian Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

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Chrome

Pair of Kuramata armchairs, sofa with arms
Pair of Kuramata armchairs, sofa with arms
H 25.5 in W 24.5 in D 35.5 in
Shiro Kuramata Apple Honey chair for UMS Pastoe
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Dronten, NL
Apple Honey armchair, designed by Kuramata for UMS Pastoe. Produced for a short time in very limited quantities. Several available.
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Late 20th Century Dutch Shiro Kuramata Armchairs

Shiro Kuramata Apple Honey chair for UMS Pastoe
Shiro Kuramata Apple Honey chair for UMS Pastoe
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in

Shiro Kuramata armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Shiro Kuramata armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Shiro Kuramata armchairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Shiro Kuramata were created in the modern style in france during the 1980s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Kazuhide Takahama, Chiara Provasi, and i4 Mariani. Prices for Shiro Kuramata armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,779 and can go as high as $7,008, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,394.

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