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.
$17,957 / item
Revolving Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Revolving Cabinet looks like a mobile sculpture: light and innovative, it is the perfect emblem of the projects designed by Shiro Kuramata. Revolving Cabinet is made of a glossy...
Metal
Pyramid Chest of Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pyramid is a chest of drawers by Shiro Kuramata. The pyramid-shaped structure, made of transparent acrylic resin, contains 17 drawers of different sizes, made of black acrylic resin....
Metal
Progetti Compiuti Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
Homage to Mondrian Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
There is a strong connection between Capellini and the art world, as confirmed by the presence of the Homage to Mondrian cabinet in the catalogue. This design, by Shiro Kuramata, is ...
Metal
Progetti Compiuti Chest of Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Shiro Kuramata, Glas Italia
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
$26,840 / item
Bookshelf by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Shiro Kuramata, Bookshelf is a two-sided module made of white matte lacquered panels. The particularity of this bookshelf is the varying size of the compartments, which p...
Metal
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
Progetti Compiuti Side 2 Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
1970's Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet Red Colour Plastic Chest of Drawers
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
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
Shiro Kuramata "Dinah" Cabinet for Cappellini #008 Italy
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
Progetti Compiuti Small Chest of Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
$20,185 / item
Dinah Drawers by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
Homage to Mondrian Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
There is a strong connection between Capellini and the art world, as confirmed by the presence of the Homage to Mondrian cabinet in the catalogue. This design, by Shiro Kuramata, is ...
Metal
Glas Italia Glass Shelves #1 (1976) Bookshelf in Glass by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata, Glas Italia
Located in Varedo, MB
The Glass Shelves #1 by Glas Italia, designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1976, is an iconic masterpiece of international design. This freestanding bookshelf is celebrated for its exception...
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
"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
$1,816Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.75 in W 17.25 in D 6 in
Cappellini Cross Medicine Cabinet in Gloss White, Thomas Eriksson, Italy, 1990s
By Cappellini, Thomas Eriksson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cappellini Cross Medicine Cabinet in Gloss White, Thomas Eriksson, Italy, 1990s. Equal parts storage solution and wall art, Thomas Eriksson's Cross...
Steel
c. 1900 Oak 40-Drawer Revolving Parts Cabinet
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1900s; (possibly) A. R. Brown - Erwin, TN This uncommon revolving apothecary cabinet features a compact octagonal footprint and 48 small drawers, each fitted with original brass ...
Wood
Pair Italian Glass Brass Mondrian Style Cabinets or Chests
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime pair Italian mid-century modern colored glass and brass veneered cabinets or chests inspired by the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian (Dutch 1872-1944). Fantastic mosaic of abstrac...
Brass
Orba Wall Shelves By Janet Schwietzer For Pace Collection
By Pace Collection, Janet Schweitzer
Located in Hanover, MA
Impressive wall system of extruded polished aluminum incorporating lighting and shelves. Schwietzer's patented design incorporates sophisticated engineering to achieve the appearance of invisible joinery at each cantilevered shelf.
Aluminum
$3,800 / item
H 25.5 in W 15 in D 22 in
Four-Drawer Office Cabinet Attributed to Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A birch cabinet resting on a recessed plinth base with four (4) drawers that lock and have integrated pulls. Designed in the 1940s and produced for decades, this cabinet was likely p...
Birch
$22,890
H 66.93 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
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
$10,804
H 29.93 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Mahogany and Brass Chest of Drawers by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool mahogany chest of drawers by Josef Frank, with an amazing, playful silhouette. Elegant brass handles.
Brass
Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House Double Door Chest of Drawers
By Grosfeld House
Located in Hanover, MA
Early 1940's sideboard or linen press by Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House. Two banks of four open drawers behind double doors. Carved foliate handles and curved notched corners. T...
Walnut
$5,710
H 53 in W 94.5 in D 14.5 in
Contemporary Inori Glass Bookcase by Setsu & Shinobu Ito for Fiam Italia
By FIAM
Located in Chicago, IL
The Inori modular bookcase, designed for Fiam by Setsu & Shinobu Ito, is the first system in the furniture industry entirely made of glass, and composed of modular elements. Showr...
Glass
Swedish Folk Cabinet & Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
This Swedish folk or country cabinet case piece was hand-crafted in the 19th Century. It consists of two pieces: a cabinet top and a chest of drawers. The cabinet comes with a workin...
Wood
$9,100 / item
H 71.66 in W 55.52 in D 16.23 in
Glass Shelves "Cross" by Alva Design, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By Alva Design
Located in New York, NY
This furniture came from the inversion of an idea, which was to create a shelf that reminds us of a "drusas", typical formations of some mineral crystals in which the contrast betwee...
Glass, Wood
Small French Chest of Drawers for Dentist, France 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A small chest of drawers for dentist with doors made out of iron and opaline glass. France 1930 ca.
Bronze, Iron
Cassettiera Side 1 di Shiro Kuramata per Cappellini, Anni 80.
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic chest of drawers with curved line, features 18 drawers , mounted on 4 wheels. Stained ash wood, lacquered wood drawer front.
Wood, Ash
Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
Shiro Kuramata Side 1 drawer cabinet Cappellini Italy 1989
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
Sold
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 Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
Sold
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
Sold
H 67.25 in W 24 in D 20.5 in
Shiro Kuramata Furniture in Irregular Forms Side 1 Cabinet by Cappellini, Italy
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
Side 2" Storage Unit by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
Sold
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 Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
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
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
Sold
H 72.75 in W 14.25 in D 9.75 in
Cappellini Mid-Century Modern Revolving Cabinet Designed by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
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
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