> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shiro-kuramata-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Shirō Kuramata (1934–1991)

## What is Shirō Kuramata’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 257 auction results for Shirō Kuramata at 15 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,620 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,919–$10,636, n=14). The auction record is $328,315 for MISS BLANCHE (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MISS BLANCHE, 1988 | Aluminium | $328,315 | Christie's | Oct 2011 |
| 2 | Miss Blanche Chair, 1988 | Acrylic paint | $227,175 | Bonhams | Dec 2022 |
| 3 | FURNITURE IN IRREGULAR FORMS SIDE 1, 1970 | En bouleau peint, formica et aluminium, monté sur roulettes | $125,373 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 4 | Solaris, 1977 | En bois peint et métal, le piétement en aluminium anodisé | $100,710 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 5 | FURNITURE WITH DRAWERS, VOL. 2 #6, 1967 | En tulipier noirci, mélamine et aluminium, monté sur roulettes | $92,489 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 6 | Sofa with Arms (triple) for the Esprit House, 1983 | Chrome | $87,500 | Wright | Jan 2015 |
| 7 | An Acrylic and Aluminum Stool with Feathers, 1990 | Aluminum | $86,500 | Christie's | Sep 2008 |
| 8 | Cabinet de Curiosité, 1934 | 'Cabinet de Curiosité' An Acrylic Cabinet, 1989 | $86,500 | Christie's | Sep 2008 |
| 9 | Miss Blanche, 1988 | Acrylic resin, plastic and epoxy-coated aluminum tubes | $82,250 | Christie's | May 2000 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabinet de Curiositié, 1989 | Acrylic paint | $84,000 | Wright | Oct 2008 |

**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 11 | $7,500 |
| Other | 236 | $4,410 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 41 | $11,250 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 118 | $4,800 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 70 | $2,747 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 257 results from 15 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Shirō Kuramata is a Japanese artist with 306 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $4,654. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Shirō Kuramata sold in 2026 for $34,206, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Shirō Kuramata work worth?

Across 257 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shirō Kuramata work is $4,654.

The median Shirō Kuramata sculpture sells for $7,894 across 74 lots.

The median Shirō Kuramata painting sells for $4,794 across 30 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Shirō Kuramata sculptures typically sell for $8,287–$37,800 (the middle half of 33 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Shirō Kuramata paintings typically sell for $3,000–$6,682 (the middle half of 24 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 33 | $4,794 | $84,000 | 90.9% | 2025-02-27 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 90 | $7,894 | $328,315 | 82.2% | 2026-03-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $86,500 | $328,315 | — | 2022-12-14 |

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $3,000–$6,682 | $4,644 | $10,710 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $1,875–$4,063 | $2,142 | $11,875 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $8,287–$37,800 | $15,240 | $328,315 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $4,200–$24,000 | $12,500 | $125,373 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2011 | $328,315 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $227,175 |
| Paintings | 2008 | $84,000 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $37,500 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Shirō Kuramata worth?

Across 257 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shirō Kuramata work is $4,654. The median Shirō Kuramata sculpture sells for $7,894 across 74 lots. The median Shirō Kuramata painting sells for $4,794 across 30 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Shirō Kuramata sculptures typically sell for $8,287–$37,800 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Shirō Kuramata paintings typically sell for $3,000–$6,682 (the middle half of 24 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Shirō Kuramata sculpture?

Based on 74 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shirō Kuramata sculpture is $7,894.

### What is Shirō Kuramata's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shirō Kuramata sculpture is $328,315.

### What is the average price of a Shirō Kuramata painting?

Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shirō Kuramata painting is $4,794.

### What is Shirō Kuramata's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shirō Kuramata painting is $84,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Shirō Kuramata sculpture?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Shirō Kuramata sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $15,240, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Shirō Kuramata painting?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Shirō Kuramata painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,644, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Shirō Kuramata's auction record?

Shirō Kuramata's auction record is $328,315, set in 2011.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Shirō Kuramata auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shiro-kuramata-2 (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.