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.
Large White Oba-Q "Ghost" K Series Lamp by Shiro Kuramata
By Yamagiwa, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Saint Louis, US
This Shiro Kuramata ghost lamp. A novel collectors furnishing, this is a great conversation piece. The clever design resembles a white cloth floati...
Acrylic
$8,830
H 33.47 in Dm 38.98 in
Japan Mid-Century Floor Lamp Ghost 'Fantasma' by Kuramata for Yamagiwa, 1972
By Shiro Kuramata, Yamagiwa
Located in MIlano, IT
Japan mid-century Floor lamp ghost (Fantasma) by Kuramata for Yamagiwa, 1972. Floor lamp ghost (Fantasma) in plexiglass. The white acrylic glass shade has the shape of a floating clo...
Metal
$3,000
H 23.03 in W 27.55 in D 27.55 in
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer. Another name Oba ...
Acrylic
Transparent Acrylic Gweilo Han GR Floor Lamp by Parachilna
Located in Geneve, CH
Transparent Acrylic Gweilo Han GR Floor Lamp by Parachilna Dimensions: D 75 x H 150 cm Materials: Acrylic. Weight: 10 kg GWEILO HAN GR This collection is composed of a thermoforme...
Acrylic
$1,648
H 30.71 in Dm 10.24 in
Murano Glass Table Lamp Ghost Model by Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, Italy
By Skipper, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ghost lamp by Angelo Mangiarotti, Polluce collection for Skipper, Italy, Mazzega Murano, circa 1970. Biography ANGELO MANGIAROTTI was born in Milan on 26th of February 1921. He grad...
Murano Glass
Kumo Medium White Acetato White Floor Lamp by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Kumo medium white acetato white floor lamp by Pulpo. Dimensions: D42 x H45 cm. Materials: handblown glass and limestone. Also available in different finishes: smoky grey acetato...
Limestone
Light White Pret-À-Porter Table Lamp by Antonio Norero
Located in Geneve, CH
Light White Pret-À-Porter Table Lamp by Antonio Norero Dimensions: D 26 x W 26 x H 37 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This produc...
Other
Kumo Medium White Acetato White Floor Lamp by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Kumo medium white acetato white floor lamp by Pulpo. Dimensions: D42 x H45 cm. Materials: handblown glass and limestone. Also available in different finishes: smoky grey acetato...
Limestone
White Allglass Table Lamp Designed by Stefan Tabery, 1930s
By Stefan Tabery
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of opaline glass - Re-polished - Fully functional - Very Good, original condition.
Glass
Italian Mid Century Tall White Glass Table Lamp
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this circa 1960s table lamp is just under 30” tall with a white tear-drop shaped shade of mouth blown glass. Shade has three sides, subtle white tonal striping and co...
Murano Glass
Hiroyuki Nishimura Sculptural Light Large 2 Japanese Paper Shade
By Hiroyuki Nishimura
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Cardinal lamp Sculpture by Hiroyuki Nishimura. Material cypress, washi Japanese paper, animal glue In case of ordering, we will make new one. Artis...
Wood, Paper
Shiro Kuramata flower vase pale pink acrylic Japanese minimalist style
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...
Aluminum
Hiroyuki Nishimura Sculptural Light medium Japanese Paper Shade
By Hiroyuki Nishimura
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Cardinal lamp Sculpture by Hiroyuki Nishimura. Material Cypress, washi Japanese paper, animal glue E26,27 LED light bulb Available 100-250V.
Wood, Paper
Lamperti small table lamp white Italian modern 70s
By Lamperti, Joe Colombo
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Vivid color small table or desk lamp named "Lucciole." white steel shade is able to tilt and turn. Set of two lamps in White. Light source E27 light bulbs. Using with 100-120V Abl...
Steel
Artemide Nessino Giancarlo Mattioli transparent model Y2K design
By Artemide, Giancarlo Mattioli
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Masterpiece table lamp of Space Age design.Original was released from the 60s by Artemide. It is transparent model released only from the late 90s u...
Plastic
Pergamo Artemide Wall Lamp Angelo Mangiarotti
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Artemide
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Pergamo Mid-century modern style wall lamp. Designed by Angelo Mangiarotti in the 80s. Steel base with two light bulbs. Shade is sandblasted glass. Light source Two of E27 60W ligh...
Aluminum
