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.
Ivory Side Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Ivory side table has a beautiful contrasting laminate pattern, designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 191...
Glass, Plastic
Kyoto Metal and Terrazo End Table, by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collect.
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Kyoto end table in metal and terrazzo, designed in 1983 by Shiro Kuramata. Shiro Kuramata studied architecture at Tokyo Polytechnic in Tokyo unti...
Metal
Nara Serving Table, by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Shiro Kuramata 1983 Service table made with the traditional technique of terrazzo in concrete conglomerate and coloured glass. Nara perfectly combines the Japanese aesthetic traditi...
Concrete
$15,000
HAL2 Table Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
HAL2 table designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cassina Interdecor in 1988. Unique steel legs and oriented strand board.
Steel
MEMPHIS "KYOTO" Terrazzo End Table(s) / Shiro Kuramata (Japan)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Reminds you of that old-fashioned candy called "Roman Nougat", doesn't it? The white concrete base is the nougat; the colored random glass fragments are the jellies of different fla...
Concrete
Memphis Table By Shiro Kuramata Sally Glass Chrome Rolling Table, 1987
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Vienna, AT
Round rolling table sally by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis, 1987 Dimensions are 30.31" x 23.35" x 23.35" Iconic table 'Sally' by Shiro Kuramata, Japan, 1987 for Memphis. Comprised of ...
Metal, Chrome
Shiro Kuramata "45 Degrees North Latitude" Console Table in Black Marble, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare contemporary "45 Degrees North Latitude" black console table on three black lacquered metal legs with a soft free form shaped black and white granite marble top by Shiro Kuramat...
Marble, Steel
$3,116Sale Price / item|20% Off
GLASS TABLE 1976, by Shiro Kuramata for Glas Italia
By Glas Italia, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Shown here is the glass table 1976. The low table characterised by the very refined minimal aspect with feet in mm. 24 thick transparent glass, thermo-welded to the top in mm. 12 thi...
Glass
Italian modern black wood coffee table Ko-Ko Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1986
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood coffee table Ko-Ko Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini, 1986 Coffee table mod. Ko-Ko in black wood with a square base. On ...
Metal
MEMPHIS "NARA" Terrazzo End Table(s) / Shiro Kuramata (Japan)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
An important table design from the Japanese maestro --- ephemeral, dreamlike, sculptural -- yet a strange form of decorated minimalism. During the most prolific period of his career,...
Cement
$1,331 / item
Ko-Ko Side Table by Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Shiro Kuramata, the Ko-ko table is made of black-stained ash. The shape and placement of the handle, made of polished chromed metal, allows this piece also to be used as ...
Metal
English Antiqued Serving Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered serving table, the galleried top and undertaker with a glass overlay, on spiral turned legs joined by an under tier fitted with two drawers, on ...
Wood
$2,720 / item
H 35.44 in W 13.78 in D 19.69 in
Flamingo Bedside Table, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Flamingo bedside table in laminated wood and plastic, designed in 1984 by Michele De Lucchi. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and graduated in architecture in Florence. During the period of radical and experimental architecture he was a prominent figure in movements like Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. His architectural designs have been mainly for office buildings in Japan, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Italy. He has taken care of numerous art and design exhibitions and has planned buildings for museums as Triennale di Milano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma and Neues Museum...
Wood, Plastic
Side Table di Pierre Charpin per Memphis/Post Design
By Post Design, Pierre Charpin, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
Tavolino progettato da Pierre Charpin per la collezione Memphis/Post Design “‘Una Mostra di Mobili’” del 1998. Il tavolino si sviluppa come un volume a terra su cui, da un lato, si t...
Maple
Memphis Design Style Coffee Table, circa 1980
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Aldo Rossi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Memphis Design Style Coffee Table circa 1980 "lacquer finish in glossy black and red" "glass is beveled at the edge" "glass is in very good conditions, some very minor surface ware"...
Glass, Lacquer
Clair End C Table by Autonomous Furniture
By Kirk Van Ludwig, Autonomous Furniture
Located in Victoria, BC
An end table that is always there when you need her, pulled up to a sofa for a cocktail or cup of tea, much like a best friend. The Clair End table was designed in a sleek silhouette of clear acrylic, adding a touch of brilliance, shown in a blackened oak tabletop inset into the acrylic base. This contemporary side table is light for ease of movement to pull up to your favourite seat. Meticulously handcrafted side table with sustainable materials. Contemporary wood side table contrasting with the polished acrylic legs. 16” L x 11.75” W x 25" H. Height under the tabletop to clear chair...
Acrylic, Oak, Walnut, Fir
Elba Serving Table Ivory
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Milan, IT
Elba table has dimensions cm 70 x 46 x H 77, but since it's a pliant it can be stocked anywhere. This little but useful serving table has a tray made of horn, and the structure is ma...
Wood
$4,630 / item
H 16.54 in Dm 16.93 in
Hyatt Metal and Wood Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Hyatt table designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1984 for Memphis, in metal and laminated wood. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he gradu...
Metal
Memphis Milano Hyatt Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Imposing and superb, Hyatt by Ettore Sottsass evokes the structure of the classical column with the “capital” equal to the base. A side table that certainly does not go unnoticed for...
Metal, Chrome
$3,600
H 16.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Ettore Sottsass Lipari Side Table Zanotta Italy 1992 Postmodern Memphis Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A postmodern “Lipari” side table designed by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, Italy 1992. Original label adhered on underside. Silk-screened laminate top on beech wood with an anthracite...
Laminate, Wood
1970's Sculptural Chrome & Glass End Table by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Design Institute America
Located in Dallas, TX
An uncommon 'Spider' table designed by Milo Baughman for Design Institute of America (DIA), American circa 1970s. Minimalist design with a stunning profile befitting of a range of in...
Chrome
Unusual, Unique Table in the Style of Ettore Sottsass, France, 1970/80s
By Ettore Sottsass, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An unusual, unique table in the style of Ettore Sottsass, France, 1970/80s. Black and white stone or marble base, four lacquered metal legs and a reddish / yellow marble or stone top...
Marble, Metal
Ettore Sottsass Tartar console table for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chicago, IL
Tartar table designed by Ettore Sottsass, 1985. Memphis Milano label. The Tartar table encapsulates Ettore Sottsass’s distinctive style, his focus on geometric forms, and the patter...
Laminate
Cappellini Steel Pipe Trolley by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the Steel Pipe Trolley by renowned designer Shiro Kuramata for Cappellini. This stunning piece combines industrial elements with sleek modern design. Crafted from high-qu...
Steel
Ko-Ko Table by Shiro Kuramata for Capellini
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Ko-Ko table by Shiro Kuramata for Capellini.
Stainless Steel
HAL1 Table Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
HAL1 table designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cassina Interdecor in 1988. Unique steel legs and white painted Oriented strand board.
Steel
Shiro Kuramata Nara Couch or Side Table Made from Terrazzo
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern iconic terrazzo table by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis, 1983. Very heavy solid square table made from colored glass infused terrazzo. The co...
Concrete
Sold
H 28.35 in Dm 23.63 in
Kyoto Table, by Shiro Kuramata, Memphis, Number 106, Confirmed 1980s Production
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful 'Kyoto' table, number 106, from the first 1980s production period, designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1983, Ishimaru Co., Ltd. for Memphis, Milan, Italy. Signed to underside of tabletop: 'Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano 106'. Dr. Alberto Bianchi...
Chrome
Ko-Ko Table by Shiro Kuramata
By Cappellini, Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Service table "Ko-Ko" in black-stained ash and polished chrome, designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Cappelini, c. 1990's. One of many successful post-modern designs by Memphi...
Chrome