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Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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 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...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Shiro Kuramata Revolving Cabinet in Red Polish Acrylic Plastic for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
The revolving cabinet looks like a mobile sculpture: light and innovative, it is the perfect emblem of the projects designed by Shiro Kuramata. Revol...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Acrylic

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...
Category

2010s Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Hardwood

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...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Shiro Kuramata Progetti Compiuti, Side 1 Cabinet in Ashwood for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
The Progetti Compiuti chest of drawers, designed by Shiro Kuramata, includes an array of furnishing elements with drawers. The frame of the side 1 ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Ash

Shiro Kuramata Homage to Mondrian Red and Blue Cabinet for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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. Thi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Shiro Kuramata Homage to Mondrian White and Yellow Cabinet for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, 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. Thi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Two "Imperial" Cabinets by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The notion of the container and the secrecy that can abound from it was an important preoccupation for the stellar Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata --- perhaps because he grew out of...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

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An ingenious challenge against the force of gravity, the Drop, by Nendo, is a two-sided column bookshelf offered in 3 different heights. The Drop bookshelves are made of Matte lacque...
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Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Cloud Two-Sided Bookcase for Cappellini
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Shiro Kuramata Steelpipe Drink Trolley in Metal for Cappellini
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Originally designed in 1968, the steel pipe drink trolley, by Shiro Kuramata, is still strikingly contemporary, a reflection of the research in which form and function are immediatel...
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GLASS SHELVES #1 '1976', by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Shiro Kuramata, Glas Italia
Located in Macherio, IT
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 ...
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Studio BBPR for Olivetti ‘Spazio’ Cabinet
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' side table, metal, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Studio BBPR for Olivetti ‘Spazio’ Cabinet
Studio BBPR for Olivetti ‘Spazio’ Cabinet
H 23.04 in W 29.34 in D 20.87 in
Rare Cabinet / Highboard by Alfred Hendrickx for Bruxelles Expo 1958 Belform
By Alfred Hendrickx, Belform, Perignem
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A magnificent piece of design history, this vintage cabinet / highboard is designed by the famous Belgium designer: Alfred Hendrickx for Belform. However this is a special one of a k...
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1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Simon Russell for Kartell 8 Drawer Stacking File Cabinet, 1970s
By Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simon Russell for Kartell 8 drawer stacking file cabinet, 1970s. Incredible, eight drawer, stacking file cabinet, by Simon Russell for Kartell, circa 197...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Acrylic

Industrial 98 Drawer Revolving Hardware Cabinet
By National Store Fixture Co.
Located in Garnerville, NY
Circa Late Victorian era 98 drawer revolving hardware store cabinet. The spinning octagonal top holds 80 wedge shaped drawers with white porcela...
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Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Early 20th C Gold and Blue Lotus Blossom Six Panel Tibetan Cabinet
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1910 Tibetan cabinet with vibrant hand painted finish depicting elaborate lotus blossom design across six panels on the front. Dominant color hues are blue, golds, greens, crea...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Wood

ALF Pisa Collection Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous laquered cabinet with polished chrome accents. Master craftsmanship brings multiple wood grain inlays to make a great modern design. Made by ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

ALF Pisa Collection Cabinet
ALF Pisa Collection Cabinet
H 33.5 in W 66 in D 22 in
Nendo Medium Drop Bookcase Matte Lacquered Laser-Cut Sheet Metal for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Nendo
Located in New York, NY
An ingenious challenge against the force of gravity, the Drop, by Nendo, is a two-sided column bookshelf offered in 3 different heights. The Drop bookshelves are made of Matte lacque...
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Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Asian Hardware
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar cabinet with brass Asian hardware. All original dark had rubbed finish on ribbon mahogany, top will be polished and touched up prior t...
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Previously Available Items
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Laminate, Wood

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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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 ...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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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...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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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...
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1980s European Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Lacquer

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...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

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Metal

"DINAH" Cabinet Sculpture by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in grand Lancy, CH
DINAH by Shiro Kuramata number 09 edited by Cappellini
Category

2010s Japanese Shiro Kuramata Cabinets

"DINAH" Cabinet Sculpture by Shiro Kuramata
"DINAH" Cabinet Sculpture by Shiro Kuramata
H 69.69 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in

Shiro Kuramata cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Shiro Kuramata cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Shiro Kuramata cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 3 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original cabinets by Shiro Kuramata were created in the modern style in italy during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider cabinets by Lodovico Acerbis, Nendo, and Saporiti Italia. Prices for Shiro Kuramata cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,400 and can go as high as $26,560, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $15,975.

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