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.
Nikko Drawers in Metal and Wood by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Nikko drawers in metal and wood by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Drawers on metal structure, in wood and painted finish. Collection: Memph...
Metal
Italian Modern Pyramid Chest of Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980s
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern transparent and black plexiglass Pyramid chest of drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980s Pyramid model chest of drawe...
Plexiglass
1970's Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet Red Colour Plastic Chest of Drawers
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Milano, IT
The “Revolving Cabinet” is a striking and unconventional chest of drawers designed by Japanese master Shiro Kuramata for the Italian Cappellini around 1970. This iconic piece consist...
Steel
"Imperial" Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis, Italy, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Milan, IT
"Imperial" cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano. Iconic case piece with roller shutter and four thin legs.
Wood
GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Glas Italia, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass Shelves #1 (1976) Shelves is shown here in the transparent glass. Bookcase characterised by the extraordinary formal cleanness and the golden proportions, entirely realized in ...
Glass
Kuramata Side 1 Furniture in Irregular Form 1989
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
A Kuramata side 1 eighteen drawers cabinet in cherrywood. Shiro Kuramata was a Japanese designer from 1965 when he founded the Kuramata Design Office in Tokyo...
Wool
Imperial Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Imperial cabinet with internal shelf by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano collection Available in silver, black and aubergine. In stock th...
Hardwood
Vintage 1982 Shiro Kuramata - Nikko Cabinet
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Naples, FL
Design by Shiro Kuramata - Nikko Cabinets 2 of the first produced cabinets out of only 11 ever made impressive scale in excellent condition
Metal
H 29 in W 67 in D 19 in
Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
1960's Founders Furniture Co. model 21301-48, F-16 sideboard with two cabinet compartments and four double doors with cast bronze finish hardware. The le...
Bronze
H 29.14 in W 94.49 in D 17.72 in
Flötotto chests of drawers, 1970s, Vintage
By Pagholz Flötotto
Located in Neuss, NW
Four-part profile system by Flötotto from the 1970s. The system consists of two containers, each with one door and one shelf, one open container with two shelves and one container wi...
Wood
H 44.89 in W 38.19 in D 18.51 in
Mid‑Century Organic Italian Chest of Drawers Cabinet in Rattan & Bamboo, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century French Riviera chest of drawers and cabinet fully made in rattan and bamboo. This stylish organic dresser was made in Italy during the 1970s. In fabulous condit...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
H 63 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
D'Antibes Wooden Storage Cabinet, by George Sowden for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Designed in 1981 by George Sowden, The "D'Antibes" is a piece of storage furniture with long legs. Cabinet in lacquered wood silkscreened on the two sid...
Wood
H 19.3 in W 18.71 in D 3.23 in
Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The vivid colors and...
Wood, Plastic
H 18.12 in W 27.56 in D 15.75 in
Parchment Nightstands by Aldo Tura for Tura Milano
By Aldo Tura
Located in Conversano, IT
Experience the refinement of Italian design with this extraordinary pair of parchment nightstands, the result of Aldo Tura's brilliant creativity for the acclaimed company Tura Milan...
Wood, Parchment Paper
H 29 in W 64 in D 19.25 in
Baker Furniture Dresser in Manner of An Antique Japanese Tansu, C. 1960s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Peabody, MA
Lacquered oak chest by Baker Furniture, ca. 1960s. Modeled after traditional Japanese tansu of the Meiji period, it features classic decorative hardware in the manner of the hand for...
Iron
H 33.25 in W 39.25 in D 16.75 in
Danish Modern Teak Dresser Chest of Drawers by Henning Jorgensen
By Fredericia, Henning Jørgensen
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage Danish chest of drawers in teak designed by Henning Jørgensen for Fredericia Møbelfabrik, Denmark circa 1960s. This unique low ...
Oak, Teak
H 61.03 in W 39.38 in D 19.3 in
Memphis Style Cabinet by Gerard Van Den Berg for Pastoe, Netherlands, 1980s
By Pastoe, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Antwerp, BE
Memphis-inspired 'Magic' cabinet by Gerard Van Den Berg for Pastoe, a rare gem that exudes Dutch flair. This original piece, featured prominently in the Eddie Murphy...
Metal
H 22.5 in W 23 in D 15.5 in
Baker Furniture Chippendale Mahogany and Banded Satinwood Side Chest of Drawers
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Germantown, MD
Baker Furniture Chippendale Mahogany and satinwood banded inlay side chest of drawers in very good vintage condition. Finished on ...
Brass
H 19.25 in W 23.75 in D 17.75 in
2022 Giulio Cappellini Brest Notte Chest of Drawers / Bedside Cabinet in Lacquer
By Giulio Cappellini, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Brest Notte Cabinet with 2 drawers made of melamine plated hard board panels on a metal base with a mud grey polish lacquer finish...
Metal
H 25 in W 25.5 in D 29.5 in
Late 20th Century Stacking Luggage-Form Leather & Woven Rattan Side Table Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Stacking Luggage-Form Leather and woven rattan Chest Side Table featuring 3 drawers with leather pulls and William and Mary Style wooden legs. Measure 25.5" in wi...
Leather, Wood, Rattan
H 67.72 in W 24.61 in D 19.69 in
Cassettiera Side 1 di Shiro Kuramata per Cappellini, Anni 80.
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Milano, IT
Iconica cassettiera dalla linea curva, presenta 18 cassetti , montato su 4 ruote. Legno di frassino tinto, frontale cassetti in legno laccato.
Wood, Ash
H 72.84 in W 14.18 in D 9.85 in
Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning "Revolving Cabinet" by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, Italy. The revolving cabinet looks like a mobile sculpture: light and innovative, it is the perfect emblem of the proj...
Steel
H 66.93 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Shiro Kuramata Side 1 drawer cabinet Cappellini Italy 1989
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super rare an one of the first Side 1 drawer cabinets designed by Shiro Kuramata and manufactured by Cappellini in Italy in 1989. The 'Side One' was first execu...
Cherry
H 66.93 in W 25.6 in D 19.69 in
Italian Modern Chest of Drawers Side 1 by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1990s
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Chest of drawers Side 1 by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1990s Chest of drawers mod. Side 1 with a sinuous silhouette in wood. Th...
Rubber, Wood
H 68 in W 17.75 in D 19.75 in
Shiro Kuramata “Progetti Compiuti” 19 Drawer Cabinet for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Miami, FL
This rare 19 drawer cabinet by the renowned Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata is a true masterpiece of contemporary furniture design. Crafted with exquisite a...
Laminate, Wood
H 67.25 in W 24 in D 20.5 in
Shiro Kuramata Furniture in Irregular Forms Side 1 Cabinet by Cappellini, Italy
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Kansas City, MO
This is an excellent example of the Side 1 Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata. Part of the Progetti Compiuti Collection of drawers first designed by Shiro Ku...
Aluminum, Chrome
H 67.72 in W 25.2 in D 20.87 in
Side 2" Storage Unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Side 2" storage unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini In 1970, Shiro Kuramata designed a series of chests of drawers in different shapes. The frame is made of black-stained ash and ...
Wood
H 72.84 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Italian Space Age Red Plastic Drawer Unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age red plastic drawer unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1980s Drawer unit or spiral storage unit, in glossy red plastic, with swivel drawers to change the shape ...
Plastic
H 73 in W 10 in L 73 in
Italian Red Revolving Acrylic Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Acrylic red 'Revolving Cabinet' designed by Shiro Kuramata. Adjustable mobile sculpture. The cabinet is made of a glossy red acrylic plastic material...
Acrylic
H 22.25 in W 22.25 in D 67.72 in
Nikko Cabinet by Shiro Kurumata for Memphis Milano
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
This is the prototype and first Nikko cabinet, of which only eleven were made. A stunning design in wood and lacquered metal, with an iridescent pink col...
Lacquer
H 72.75 in W 14.25 in D 9.75 in
Cappellini Mid-Century Modern Revolving Cabinet Designed by Shiro Kuramata
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in West Hartford, CT
Architectural masterpiece is the Shiro Kuramata designed revolving cabinet made by Cappellini in the 1970s. The color is magnificent, red and the dra...
Metal
H 68 in W 24 in D 20.5 in
Shiro Kuramata Dresser
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lyrical juxtaposition of color and shape. From "Furniture in irregular forms" side one. A beautiful combination of lacquered wood, black stained oak and aluminium. Cap...
Oak