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
Memphis Table By Shiro Kuramata Sally Glass Chrome Rolling Table, 1987
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Group
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
Kyoto Metal and Terrazo End Table, by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis Milano Collect.
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
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
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
Brut Terrazzo Low 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
$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
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
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
$1,350
H 14.75 in W 51 in D 25.5 in
Memphis Design Coffee Table, Lacquered Black and Red, Glass Top, 1980
By Shiro Kuramata, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group, Aldo Rossi, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
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
Ettore Sottsass 'Ivory' Pedestal for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dallas, TX
Ettore Sottsass 'Ivory' Pedestal for Memphis Milano, 1985.
Laminate
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
$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, Ettore Sottsass, 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 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
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
$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
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
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
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