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.
Progetti Compiuti 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
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 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
Revolving Cabinet by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
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
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
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
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
Shiro Kuramata "Dinah" Cabinet for Cappellini #008 Italy
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
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
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
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
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
H 36 in W 23 in D 23 in
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
H 34.25 in W 49.5 in D 22.5 in
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
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
H 17.13 in W 17.64 in D 5.87 in
Cross cabinet project 9208, design Thomas ERIKSSON for CAPPELLINI. Italy
By Cappellini, Thomas Eriksson
Located in Torino, IT
Cross cabinet project 9208, design Thomas ERIKSSON for HATCHES. Italy, 1992 ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 1992 DESIGNER Thomas ERIKSSON (Sweden, 1959) A Swedish architect and designer, he g...
Metal
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 Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool mahogany chest of drawers by Josef Frank, with an amazing, playful silhouette. Elegant brass handles.
Brass
H 38 in W 40 in D 18 in
Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons Chest of Drawers
By Bertha Schaefer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stylish 1950s cabinet by Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons. Inside four drawers and two adjustable shelves. Signed with the manufacturer's label.
Walnut
H 74.41 in W 14.18 in D 9.45 in
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
H 73.5 in W 45 in D 17.25 in
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
H 53.15 in W 29.53 in D 20.08 in
Chest of Drawers by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen, 1940s
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Uppsala, SE
Chest of drawers or tall boy with curved front and eight drawers designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen in the 1940s. Made of walnut and red beech with metal handles. Very good co...
Metal
H 28.5 in W 18.5 in D 26.5 in
Italian Cabinet or Small Chest of Drawers by Franco Albini ca' 1950s
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual and rare filing cabinet or chest of drawers with an exaggerated handle-rosewood. On three legs with casters-four drawers. Model # C24 designed by Franco Albini and Franca H...
Brass
H 57.25 in W 30 in D 23 in
Tall Tambour Cabinet with Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple and refined ebonized mahogany wardrobe having tambour doors with integrated handles a top two (2) drawers with cut out handles.
Mahogany
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 68 in W 17.75 in D 19.75 in
Shiro Kuramata “Progetti Compiuti” 19 Drawer Cabinet for Cappellini
By Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
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 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
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 69.69 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
"DINAH" Cabinet Sculpture by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in grand Lancy, CH
DINAH by Shiro Kuramata number 09 edited by Cappellini