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.
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
Memphis Milano "Imperial" Prune Secretaire / Console table by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1981 for the foundational collection of Memphis Milano, the "Imperial" secretaire is a surreal, minimal, and deeply poetic pie...
Wood
Memphis Milano "Imperial" Silver Secretaire / Console table by Shiro Kuramata
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1981 for the foundational collection of Memphis Milano, the "Imperial" secretaire is a surreal, minimal, and deeply poetic pie...
Wood
Memphis Milano "Imperial" Black Secretaire / Console table by Shiro Kuramata
By Memphis Milano, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Shiro Kuramata in 1981 for the foundational collection of Memphis Milano, the "Imperial" secretaire is a surreal, minimal, and deeply poetic...
Wood
Milano Console, Rose Marble
Located in Hollywood, FL
Inspired by the marvelous patterns of Fornasetti, the Milano console table is a bold accent piece for any setting. Using Fossil stones and Rose Marble craftsmen in the Philippines me...
Marble
Kaizo Oto for Dia Postmodern Memphis Style Console Table
By Design Institute America, Kaizo Oto
Located in Miami, FL
Steel, brass, chrome and glass console table in the Memphis style by Kaizo Oto for Design Institute of America. Glass is 3/4”.
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Round Coffee Table Memphis Milano
By Mario Botta, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Gaetano Pesce
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
Travertine Console Table, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, PA
A minimalist beige Roche Bobois-style travertine marble console with natural beveled edges. This console table would look great in an entryway or accenting a beautiful sculpture as shown in the images. This pedestal table comes in two parts. It is sturdy and structurally sound and is in very good condition. The "ballerina" bronze sculpture and signed Huang Gang...
Travertine
$12,795
H 15.75 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
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
$3,000
H 32.5 in W 68.5 in D 10 in
Minimalist Black Lacquer and Glass Narrow Console Table, Italy, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
A sleek and architectural console table, Italy, circa 1980s. The design features a central pedestal in glossy black lacquer, set on a stainless-steel plinth base, supporting a thick ...
Aluminum
1980s Black Skyscraper Console Or Entry Table
By Karl Springer, Mastercraft, Roger Rougier
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning black laminate, skyscraper console table purchased in New York in the 1980s. Please look at pictures and video for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Laminate, Wood
Maison Jansen Black Metal Two-Tier Console Table, 1980s
By M2000 Furniture Co. 1
Located in Antwerp, BE
Postmodern Maison Jansen two-tier console table. Crafted in Belgium during the 1980s, this piece exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Its sleek black patinated chromed steel ...
Steel
$2,950
H 27 in W 58.75 in D 19 in
Roche Bobois Style Travertine Marble Wedge and Column Console Table, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A Minimalist Roche Bobois, Catellan Italia style travertine marble wedge and column console table, 1980s. This is a beautiful example of art and function....
Travertine
Large Italian Coffee Table Style of Memphis Milano, 1990s
By Memphis Milano
Located in Paris, IDF
The delicious, rule-breaking elements of postmodern design are evident in this large Italian coffee table in the style of Peter Shire and Me...
Metal
$5,000
H 30.31 in W 23.62 in D 23.62 in
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
1980s Waterfall Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This vintage 1980s waterfall console table features a continuous curved form that exemplifies late-20th-century postmodern design. Constructed of stainless steel with a striped lamin...
Stainless Steel