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.
$1,450
H 32 in W 24 in D 24 in
2001 Prototype Richard Schultz 2002 Collection Mesh Cantilever Dining Chair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz 2002 Collection stainless steel cantilever dining chair prototype with mesh upholstery. This is a marvelous and rare example of a 2002 collection...
Stainless Steel
$1,500
H 32 in W 24 in D 24 in
2001 Prototype Richard Schultz 2002 Collection Stainless Steel Mesh Dining Chair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz 2002 Collection stainless steel dining chair prototype with custom polished perforated steel seat. The chair measures 31 inches tall by 23 inches...
Stainless Steel
$8,824
H 32.29 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chair, Steel, Mid-Century, Circa 1985
By Shiro Kuramata, XO Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sing Sing Sing chair designed by Shiro Kuramata circa 1985 in France Coated steel. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful p...
Steel
Shiro Kuramata "Sing Sing Sing" Chair for XO France 1985
By Shiro Kuramata, XO Design
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Designed by the visionary Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata (1934–1991), this iconic “Sing Sing Sing” chair (1985) embodies a seamless dialogue between traditional Japanese sensibilit...
Metal
$5,647Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 20.08 in D 25.99 in
Shiro Kuramata Sing Sing Sing Chair for XO, France 1985, six available
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in London, GB
Six available in total. Shiro Kuramata (1931-1991) created a fluid exchange between Japanese design philosophy and methodology and European postmodern design. Kuramata’s training was initially centred around traditional woodworking however, when he enrolled at the Kuwasawa Design School was taught by Isamu Kenmochi, who helped him reimagine ancient Japanese traditions using modern materials. The philosophy Kuramata. His designs are made from materials that have reflective, transparent, translucent, opaque and tactile qualities to them, each form a response each material. The sing sing sing chair...
Metal
Host Net Chair in Chromed Metal & Mesh by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Host Net Chair in Chromed Metal & Mesh by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 60 x W 55 x H 82 cm. Materials: Polypropylene, upholstery, mesh, and chromed metal. Available in different fini...
Metal, Other, Chrome
$5,784 / item
H 26 in W 27.6 in D 30.7 in
Contemporary Italian Chrome Plated Armchair with Intricate Woven Leather
By Bavuso Giuseppe
Located in New York, NY
A versatile passe-partout, this lounge chair stands out for the sinuous lines of the seat and back, here in version with woven seats to contrast the sharply squared base. Seat and ba...
Chrome
Arena Steel with Rope Weave Chair
By Cotidiano
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Arena Chair appears as a creative challenge of turning an elemental object into a design piece. Composed of electrostatic painted steel and handcrafted...
Steel
$1,000 / item
H 34 in W 20 in D 24 in
2023 EOOS Keilhauer Net Lounge Chair, Mesh w/ Front Casters (12+)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Net Lounge Chair, originally designed by EOOS Design. These particular examples were produced by Keilhauer in Canada in 2023. The design features a steel frame, with a cant...
Steel
Post Modern Perforated Steel and Chrome Arm Chair c. 1980's
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Chic perforated steel and chrome arm chair, in excellent original, clean and ready to use condition. The chair features a perforated steel seat, back and arms, which are supported by...
Steel, Chrome
American Post-War Rattan Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-War Design natural rattan woven side chair with tapered designed high back and a black iron frame.
Iron
John Salterini American Mid-Century Outdoor Iron Lounge / Armchair
By John Salterini
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century outdoor adjustable reclining lounge / armchair with a latticed back and seat supported in an iron frame with ball finials on the c...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
American Steel Bounce Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
American 1940s steel \"bounce\" design open Armchair with patinated wire mesh seat and back Visible repair to wire in center rear of one seat.
Set of 7 Russell Woodard Sculptura Low Dining Chairs, Wrought Iron
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 7 Mid-Century American white mesh low dining chairs made from wrought iron and woven steel for indoor and/or outdoor use (RUSSELL WOODARD)(PRICED AS Set)(Other examples as Set...
Metal
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Slipper Chair with Aluminum Frame
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century slipper / side chair with a polished aluminum frame and a beige fabric upholstered seat and back. (HARVEY PROBBER)
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern 'Brno' Armchairs by Knoll, Chrome Frame, Circa 1955
By Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century Modern 'Brno' armchairs with chrome plated tube frames and black fabric upholstered seats and back with a subtle dotted beige line pattern. (KNOLL label)(PRICED A...
Chrome
