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 — his chairs and tables as well as his timeless Akari lamp and other lighting fixtures — 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, Noguchi 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: the sleek Measured Time kitchen 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 — they have the same power and presence that Noguchi brought to his art.
Find vintage Isamu Noguchi floor lamps, table lamps, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$15,200Sale Price|20% Off
1940s Isamu Noguchi Black+White Train Clock Modernist Japanese Industrial Design
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Sale includes both, and both clocks are untested, thus graded DISTRESSED, despite being cosmetically good.
Bakelite
1920´s Boxer Sculpture / Table, Mantel Clock
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
1920´s boxer clock. Clock has been repaired and it´s in working condition. Clock has been re-silvered. Perfect Gift for any Box Fan. We have specialized ...
Metal
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.11 in W 5.12 in D 1.86 in
Luxury Vintage Stirrup Table Clock Maquet Paris, Nice 8 Jours, France, 1940s
By Hermès, Maquet
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Luxury vintage stirrup desk / table clock Maquet Paris - Nice 8 Jours, France, 1940s Clock with Equestrian / Polo / Racing horse Motifs in the style of Hermes (exactly the same model but with hermes marks...
Metal
$262Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 3.55 in Dm 8.67 in
1980s Citizen Japanese Blue Steel Retro Vintage Industrial Antique Quartz Clock
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Citizen super tanker slave clock original blue finish. A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock also called secondary clock of superior build quality. These clocks were us...
Steel, Cut Steel, Chrome
$1,069Sale Price|28% Off
H 31.5 in W 9.85 in D 7.88 in
Vintage Human Body Educational Model / Anatomical Model, circa 1940s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Fantastic looking vintage anatomical model of a full human body on a black granite base. The height of the model with base (4 cm) is 82 cm. Unfortunately, removable parts are missing.
Granite
Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye "Measured Time" Clock and Kitchen Timer
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
The “Measured Time” clocks have appeared previously on the market without attribution, identified only by the clockface “Hawkeye” label or the Stev...
Metal
$3,250
H 6 in W 5.5 in D 3.5 in
Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern Hawkeye Measured Time Clock & Timer, circa 1932
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Studio City, CA
A fabulous Midcentury original Hawkeye Measured Time clock/timer created by famed Japanese American designer Isamu Noguchi. This clock was the first Noguchi's designs to go into mas...
Metal
Mid-Century Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye Measured Time Clock and Timer
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Noguchi's first mass-produced design, completed circa 1932, predating his design for the "Radio Nurse" baby monitor by about five years. Produced...
Metal
$790 / item
H 3.15 in Dm 19.3 in
Huge Bakelite Industrial Train Station Round Wall Clock from the 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
A big loft or industrial wall clock from the 1940s. straight and beautiful design, with a domed clocks face, the housing is made of dark brown / black Bakelite. Measures: 19 inch dia...
Glass, Bakelite
Extremely Rare 1932 Isamu Noguchi “Measured Time” Clock
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are very pleased to present this genuinely rare Isamu Noguchi Measured Time Clock and Kitchen Timer. This clock marks Noguchi's first industria...
Bakelite
$1,244
H 15 in W 12 in D 6 in
Bronze Sculpture of Head Bust of Japanese Woman in the Style of Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, well-crafted work reminiscent of Isamu Noguchi's early work in bronze. Heavy and solid on a beautiful rosewood base. Apparently unsigned. From a collection of Japanese antiques and...
Bronze
$12,401Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 70.87 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Biomorphic Carved Wood Sculpture in the style of Isamu Noguchi, Unseen Force 17
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Biomorphic Carved Wood Sculpture in the style of Isamu Noguchi, Unseen Force 17 by Joel Escalona This monolithic sculpture, designed by the talented Artist Joel Escalona, is a towering example of beauty in craftsmanship. Hand and digital machine made; the standing sculpture stands...
Hardwood
Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible Modernist Bicycle by Cleveland Company MDT
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible modernist streamline bicycle by Cleveland Company,, M D T,, Amazing design and condition, bike comes apart for easy compact transport and storage, Retains all ...
Steel, Chrome
Isamu Noguchi Rudder Coffee Table in Lime Oak, Model In-52
By Isamu Noguchi, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rudder coffee table, model IN-52, designed in 1944 by Isamu Noguchi - produced circa the 2000s. Limed oak finish with an amorphic top raised on two chrome hairpin legs and wood blade-shaped support. unmarked, The Noguchi Rudder table...
Stainless Steel
Noguchi Akari Table Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Isamu Noguchi Akari table lamp. Iron Base stamped Japan with a bamboo pole and a hand-made paper shade. This lamp was purchased in the 1980's. Earlier shade marking with Japan marked...
Iron
Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp Light Sculpture UF3-Q
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Rochester, NY
Isamu Noguchi - Akari - Ozeki Japan - floor lamp light sculpture - UF3-Q - signed with red sun half moon mark & Japan ( see picture 6 ) in all original vintage condition with tears...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi "Measured Time" Clock or Timer
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional example of a newly discovered design piece by Isamu Noguchi. This clock or timer has been unattributed for its entire 80 year life. Just recently identified by the Noguchi Foundation as the very first design piece by Noguchi. This clock predates the radio nurse...
Bakelite
Isamu Noguchi " Kaki-Persimmons"
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Table top welded and galvanized steel sculpture from Isamu Noguchi and manufactured by Gemini G.E.L. circa 1983. This example numbered 5 from and edition of 26.Signed and dated to re...
Isamu Noguchi "Wind Catcher"
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in New York, NY
"Wind Catcher" Galvanized Steel Signed i.n. '82 and with Gemini plaque marked: ISAMU NOGUCHI/Wind Catcher 10/18/
Isamu Noguchi Radio Nurse
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptionally rare Isamu Noguchi Radio Nurse for Zenith ca. 1937. This beautiful sculptural piece was Noguchi's first major industrial commissi...
Metal