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Isamu Noguchi

Japanese, 1904-1988

A sculptor, painter, ceramicist and furniture and lighting designer, Isamu Noguchi was one of the most prolific and protean creative forces of the 20th century and a key figure in the development of organic modernism. Noguchi’s sculptures and designs share a common spirit: one of lyrical abstraction, tempo and flow and harmonious balance.

Noguchi was born in Los Angeles to an American mother and Japanese father, and spent most of his childhood in Japan. He returned to the United States at age 13, went to high school in Indiana and enrolled at Columbia University to study medicine. At the same time, he took night courses in sculpture. Within three months, he left college to pursue art full time. Noguchi was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1927 and traveled to Paris to work under Constantin Brancusi. It marked a turning point. Inspired by Brancusi, Noguchi embraced abstraction and began to sculpt in the expressive, rhythmic style that would be the hallmark of his work.

Once back in New York, Noguchi was introduced to design by what would become a lifelong collaboration creating sets for choreographer Martha Graham. His first industrial designs were in Bakelite: a sleek clock-timer created circa 1932, and his famed Zenith Radio Nurse intercom, from 1937. Ten years later, Herman Miller introduced Noguchi’s now-iconic glass-topped coffee table with an articulated wooden base. His washi paper and bamboo Akari light sculptures, handmade in Japan, debuted in 1951. In the late 1950s, Noguchi designed for Knoll, creating such pieces as his dynamic Cyclone table and rocking stool.

For collectors, Noguchi’s furniture and lighting designs remain his most accessible work. As you will see on 1stDibs, they have the same power and presence that Noguchi brought to his art.

Average Sold Price
$3,763
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Iconic Designs from Isamu Noguchi
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
Isamu Noguchi Free Form
Isamu Noguchi Free Form
Cyclone Table by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Based on the rocking stool (two available in our inventory), the Cyclone table is a scaled-up adaptation. The table borrows the same interwoven design from the stool but the base fea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi Akari 120F, Ozeki, 1951
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Grenoble, FR
Akari model “120F” by Isamu Noguchi. Original shade in washi & bamboo rims with structure in black lacquered metal. Hand-made form realized by Ozeki Company Japan. Series started...
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Bamboo

Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table from 1940s
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Neuss, NW
Sculptural coffee table by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra / Herman Miller, designed in the 1940s. High-quality solid wood frame made of black lacquered ash wood with 19mm thick table top ma...
Category

1940s Swiss Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Glass, Ash

  • Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table from 1940s
  • Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table from 1940s
  • Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table from 1940s
  • Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table from 1940s
H 15.75 in. W 50.4 in. D 36.62 in.
Isamu Noguchi Akari 40xP on Single Stem Base T1, Ozeki, 1951
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Paris, FR
Akari model “40XP” on “single stem base” (T1) by Isamu Noguchi Original shade in washi & bamboo rims Structure in black lacquered metal Hand-made form realized by Ozeki Company, G...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi Akari 31N on Single Stem Base T3, Ozeki, 1951
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Paris, FR
Akari model “31N” on “Single Stem Base” (T3) by Isamu Noguchi Original shade in washi & bamboo rims Structure in black lacquered metal & pyramidal base in cast iron and black lacqu...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi Akari 33X on T Base, Ozeki, 1951
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Paris, FR
Akari model “33X” on “T” base by Isamu Noguchi Original shade in washi & bamboo rims Structure in black lacquered metal & plate base in cast iron and black lacquered metal stem Ha...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi Akari 30N on Single Stem Base T3 (Pyramid), Ozeki, 1951
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Paris, FR
Akari model “30N” on “Single Stem Base” (T3) by Isamu Noguchi. Original shade in washi & bamboo rims. Structure in black lacquered metal & pyramidal base in cast iron and black lac...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi Akari 30D on T Base, Ozeki, 1951
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Paris, FR
Akari model “30D” on “T” base by Isamu Noguchi. Original shade in washi & bamboo rims. Structure in black lacquered metal & plate base in cast iron and black lacquered metal stem. ...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

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Isamu Noguchi Sellers

WA Design Gallery
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Two Enlighten Los Angeles
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PRB / Ponce Berga
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Penn Modern
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Confluence Design
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Creators Similar to Isamu Noguchi

More Isamu Noguchi Designs
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Average Price
$10,894
Number Available
59
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Paper, Metal, Bamboo
Styles
Mid Century Modern
It was a trip to Japan in the spring of 1951 that inspired artist and designer Isamu Noguchi (1904–88) to create the Akari light sculpture. Noguchi was passing through the city of Gifu, in central Japan, and observed a traditional nighttime festival in which fishermen use cormorants to help them catch fish. Each boat was equipped with a chochin lantern to light its way. Noguchi — one of the 20th century’s most inventive artists — was enraptured with the beauty of these traditional decorative ...
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Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Average Price
$3,829
Number Available
11
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Metal, Wood, Laminate, Steel, Chrome
Styles
Mid Century Modern
The playful Cyclone table, designed by Isamu Noguchi (1904–88), initially wasn’t a table at all. But the versatile artist, who both worked across disciplines and used widely varying materials, was likely accustomed to things not going exactly as planned.  The insatiably curious son of a Japanese poet and an Irish-American writer, Noguchi yearned to become a sculptor from a young age. He was so moved by the abstract sculpture of Constantin Brancusi — who he assisted in Paris — that he spent se...
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Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
Average Price
$2,425
Number Available
4
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Chrome, Maple, Metal, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Isamu Noguchi Free Form
Isamu Noguchi Free Form
Average Price
$9,232
Number Available
1
Isamu Noguchi Free Form
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Isamu Noguchi furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Isamu Noguchi furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our collection of Isamu Noguchi furniture, there are many options to choose from, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. In-stock of these items we have 80 vintage editions, while there is also 0 modern edition to choose from. During the 20th century, many of the original furniture by Isamu Noguchi was created in Japan in the mid-century modern style. Many customers also consider furniture by Marbro Lamp Company, Greta Magnusson-Grossman, and John Keal. Prices for Isamu Noguchi furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. 1stDibs's price starts at US$571 and tops out at US$69,000, while pieces like these can sell for US$6,574.

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