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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
$4,174
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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
Isamu Noguchi 45D Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
The Isamu Noguchi 45D ceiling lamp is a masterpiece of lighting that combines minimalist elegance and modern functionality. Designed by the famous artist and designer Isamu Noguchi i...
Category

1990s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

  • Isamu Noguchi 45D Ceiling Lamp
  • Isamu Noguchi 45D Ceiling Lamp
  • Isamu Noguchi 45D Ceiling Lamp
  • Isamu Noguchi 45D Ceiling Lamp
H 17.72 in. Dm 17.72 in.
Isamu Noguchi Akari UF2-33N Light
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Model number UF2--33N table or floor lamp by Isamu Noguchi for Akari. Original quite recent version manufactured by Ozeki & co in Japan. Rice paper, enameled metal. Retains manuf...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

  • Isamu Noguchi Akari UF2-33N Light
  • Isamu Noguchi Akari UF2-33N Light
  • Isamu Noguchi Akari UF2-33N Light
  • Isamu Noguchi Akari UF2-33N Light
H 25.99 in. Dm 15.75 in.
Akari Light Sculpture 55A Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Venezia, VENETO
This iconical Isamu Noguchi Akari Lamp Sculpture 55A is a pendant lamp executed in handmade washi paper, bamboo ribs and a structure in black lacquered metal. Akari light sculptur...
Category

2010s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Akari Model 7AD Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 7AD light sculpture by Isamu Noguchii. The shade is made from handmade washi paper, wood and bamboo ribs with authentic Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. Akari light sculptures by Isamu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Anglo-Japanese Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi VB13 Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
VB13 ceiling lamp, designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1951. Made of a bamboo ribbing structure covered by washi paper manufactured according to the traditional procedures. Manufactur...
Category

1980s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

  • Isamu Noguchi VB13 Ceiling Lamp
  • Isamu Noguchi VB13 Ceiling Lamp
  • Isamu Noguchi VB13 Ceiling Lamp
  • Isamu Noguchi VB13 Ceiling Lamp
H 19.69 in. W 14.57 in. D 18.9 in.
Isamu Noguchi Akari 70EN Light Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Akari 70EN lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi, 1951. Manufactured by Ozeki & Co. in Japan. Bambu structure covered by washi paper. Rewired for U.S. standards. New cord and canopy fro...
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

Isamu Noguchi Akari 33N Light Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Akari 33N lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi, 1951. Manufactured by Ozeki & Co. in Japan. Bambu structure covered by washi paper. Wired for U.S. standards. Recent version in immacula...
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

  • Isamu Noguchi Akari 33N Light Sculpture
  • Isamu Noguchi Akari 33N Light Sculpture
  • Isamu Noguchi Akari 33N Light Sculpture
  • Isamu Noguchi Akari 33N Light Sculpture
H 62.21 in. W 18.51 in. D 18.51 in.
Ceiling Lamp by Noguchi Isamu
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Milan, IT
USA, 1960 circa Akari edition for Steph Simon Mulberry tree skin frame, paper and bamboo shade Availability: 1 Literature: similar examples reproduced in: Sam Hunter, "Isamu N...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

  • Ceiling Lamp by Noguchi Isamu
  • Ceiling Lamp by Noguchi Isamu
  • Ceiling Lamp by Noguchi Isamu
  • Ceiling Lamp by Noguchi Isamu
H 56.3 in. W 25.6 in. D 25.6 in.
Browse all Furniture from Isamu Noguchi
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More Isamu Noguchi Designs
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Average Price
$10,973
Number Available
75
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Paper, Bamboo, Metal
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
$3,910
Number Available
8
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Metal, Laminate, Steel, Wood, 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
$9,345
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 items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original furniture by Isamu Noguchi were created in the mid-century modern style in japan during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ozeki & Co. Ltd., Yamagiwa, and Kyohei Fujita. Prices for Isamu Noguchi furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £1,008 and can go as high as £2,298, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £1,411.

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