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
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 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
Nara Serving Table, by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collection
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Group
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
Shiro Kuramata "NARA" End Table, Memphis Terrazzo Design, Japan, 1983
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
$3,895 / item
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
$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
"Kyoto" End Table by Shiro Kuramata, Concrete & Glass, Memphis 1983
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
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
Original Shiro Kuramata Esstisch Memphis Milano Terrazzo Kyoto
By Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen und äußerst seltenen Esstisch von Memphis Milano zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt vom japanischen Designer Shiro Kuramata, ist bekannt unter dem Name...
Concrete
Glas Italia Glass Table (1976) Square Coffee Table in Glass by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata, Glas Italia
Located in Varedo, MB
The Glass Table (1976) by Glas Italia, designed by Shiro Kuramata, is an iconic masterpiece of international design and a timeless expression of radical minimalism. Defined by its p...
Glass
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
$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
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 Memphis Group, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
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
Brut Terrazzo Side Table
Located in Gamboa, RJ
The ‘Brut’ collection by Assimply Studio transforms demolition waste from masonry walls into unique pieces of furniture. These materials, which were once house structures, are given ...
Terrazzo
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
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 Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group, Memphis Milano
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
Coffee Table 'I' in Black Terrazzo
By Bentu Design
Located in Paris, IDF
'I' is a collection of tables: coffee / side tables, dining tables, bar tables. The base and the structures are in steel, and the tabletop is in terrazzo. by Bentu design Man...
Steel
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Round Coffee Table Memphis Milano
By Mario Botta, Gaetano Pesce, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage round coffee table featuring the iconic 1985 design by Ettore Sottsass, professionally restored while preserving the integrity and character of the original design. The tabl...
Wood
Ettore Sottsass "Cream" occasional table for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Skokie, IL
Cream end table in plastic laminate by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection. Applied aluminum manufacturer's label to side ‘Memphis Milano Ettore Sottsass 1984 Made in Italy.'
Plastic, Plywood
Coffee Table 'I' in Mint Green Terrazzo
By Bentu Design
Located in Paris, IDF
'I' is a collection of tables: coffee / side tables, dining tables, bar tables. The base and the structures are in steel, and the tabletop is in terrazzo. by Bentu design Man...
Steel
Mid-Century Memphis Style Side Coffee Table, Italy 1980s
By Memphis Group
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-Century Memphis style side coffee table, Italy 1980s. Lacquered laminate table top. Perfect vintage condition. solid and stable.
Laminate
Pair of Satin Brass and Glass Side Tables by Pace Collection
By Pace Collection
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of 1970s satin brass and glass side tables by Pace Collection. New 1/2”thick glass tops. Dim: 20” diameter 16.25 high.
Brass
Cappellini Steel Pipe Trolley by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Rochester, England
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 Shiro Kuramata, Cappellini
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