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
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
Nanda Vigo, Console Table, Glass, Italy, 1980s
By Nanda Vigo
Located in High Point, NC
A small wall-mounted blue opaline glass console table designed by Nanda Vigo and produced by Glas Italia, Italy, c. 1980s. Minor imperfections to frost of glass and plastic wall sup...
Glass
$5,800
H 28.75 in W 79.13 in D 18.13 in
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Memphis Charcoal and Grey Wood Console
By Shiro Kuramata, Ettore Sottsass, Peter Shire, Memphis Group, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A 1980s Postmodern console defined by its strong architectural form and sculptural presence. Finished in charcoal and soft grey tones, the surface features a dynamic grain pattern th...
Wood
$2,280
H 28.5 in W 74 in D 18 in
Postmodern 1980s Art Deco Revival Style Console/ Entry Table. Circa 1980s
By Karl Springer
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern 1980s Art Deco Revival Style Console/ Entry Table. Circa 1980s Features two Art Deco-inspired soft pink columns supporting a 5/8" thick removable glass top. In e...
Glass, Plaster, Wood
Mangiarotti console in black marble
By Skipper, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in London, GB
Designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper from the 'Eros' series, Nero Marquina marble
Marble
$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
Console Table in Birds Eye Maple by Pace Collection 1980s
By Leon Rosen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Console Table in Birds Eye Maple by Pace Collection 1980s Modern Chrome and Birds Eye Maple Console 4-Drawer Table Pace Collection 1980s Seven-...
Chrome
Minimalist Black Lacquer and Glass 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
$11,168Sale Price|30% Off
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 14.18 in
Marble Montenegro Console Table by Ettore Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in amstelveen, NL
Marble console table, Montenegro model, by Ettore Sottsass, Ultima Edizione, Italy, 1980 The top is made of black marble and held by two white marble pedestals. Iconic designer Etto...
Marble
$1,576Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
Vintage black marble console table by Cattelan Italy, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage Cattelan Italy 'Diapason' console table consisting of a black marble base with rectangular clear glass top. (to be customized if desired) Beautiful natural marble pattern T...
Marble
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
Red Console Table by Emiel Veranneman, 1980s
By Emiel Veranneman
Located in Brussels, BE
Red Console Table by Emiel Veranneman, 1980s
Wood