Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
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 Armchairs
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1980s French Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal, Chrome
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Iron
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Iron
20th Century American Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal, Steel
1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1990s European Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Leather, Bentwood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Chrome
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Leather
2010s American Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Iron
2010s American Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Stainless Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Hardwood, Oak
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Leather
1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
Late 20th Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Iron
1980s Japanese Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Chrome
1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Metal
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Steel
1980s German Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Nickel, Steel
1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Nickel, Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Late 20th Century Italian Shiro Kuramata Armchairs
Chrome