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.
Early Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model UF3-Q
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model UF3-Q. Gemini G.E.L edition c. 1984. Hand-made form by Ozeki & Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan. Washi paper shade, bamboo ribbing supported ...
Metal
Early Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 3X Table Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Isamu Noguchi Akari light sculpture. Model 3X table lamp. Early model, marked with iconic red sun and moon ideogram. Hand-made form by Ozeki ...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Table Lamp, Akari Model 7A
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Isamu Noguchi Table Lamp, Akari Model 7A in perfect working condition.
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 26A Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi are considered icons of 1950s modern design. Designed by Noguchi beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half century by the original manufacture...
Bamboo, Paper
Akari Model 24N Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 24N light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. Akari l...
Metal
Akari Model 2A Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi, Akari
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 2A 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 scu...
Metal
Monumental Akari Model 70F Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Monumental Akari model 70F light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with original Noguchi Akari manufactu...
Metal
Akari Model 1AG Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi, Akari
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 1AG light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. This table lamp has a shade made from handmade washi paper, ink and bamboo ribs with the original Noguc...
Metal
Akari Model 20n Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi, Akari
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari Model 20N light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. ...
Metal
Akari Model 1AS Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 1AS light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. This table lamp has a shade made from handmade washi paper, ink and bamboo ribs with the original Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stam...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 31N Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi are considered icons of 1950s modern design. Designed by Noguchi beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half century by the original manufacture...
Bamboo, Paper
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...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi, 'Akari' Hanging Light Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Isamu Noguchi 'Akari' hanging light sculpture, model no. 33N by Ozeki and Co. Ltd.
Bamboo, Paper
Akari Model 7A Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari model 7A light sculpture by Isamu Noguchii. The shade is made from handmade washi paper, wood and bamboo ribs with authentic Noguchi Akari manufacturer's...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model BB3/95EN
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model BB3/95EN. Original, early BB3 stand with original brass socket and single arm harp. Hand-made shade by Ozeki & Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan (wash...
Metal
Pair Early Isamu Noguchi for Knoll Model 9 Table Lamps C. 1947
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Early Isamu Noguchi for Knoll Associates Table Lamps circa 1947 Model no. 9. Noguchi initially created a cylindrical polyvinyl shade wound around three upright mahogany...
Cherry
Early Isamu Noguchi Akari light sculpture, Model K.
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Isamu Noguchi Akari light sculpture. Model K. Early model, marked with iconic red sun and moon ideogram. Hand-made form by Ozeki & Co. Ltd., ...
Bamboo, Paper
Sold
H 30 in W 14 in D 14 in
Isamu Noguchi, Early "Akari" Table Lamp, Washi Paper, Bamboo, Iron, Ozeki, 1960
By Isamu Noguchi, Akari
Located in Buffalo, NY
Isamu Noguchi Akari TableLamp, Bamboo, Iron, Paper An early example of Isamu Noguchi's 'Akari" Table lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi and produced in Japan, circa1960s The unders...
Iron
Early Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp Bb3-50en, Bamboo / Iron. Japan
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Buffalo, NY
Isamu Noguchi Akari floor lamp, bamboo, Iron, Paper An early example of Isamu Noguchi's 'Akari" Floor lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi and produced in Japan.c.1960s The underside...
Iron
Isamu Noguchi Akari 120F, Ozeki, designed 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...
Bamboo
Vintage Akari Lamp by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi, Akari
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Vintage Akari lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi. Shade is in very good condition with no tears. Minor fading. Measures: 17" diameter and 10" height. Ha...
Metal
Vintage Akari Light Sculpture Model L3 by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi, Akari
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Akari Light Sculpture model L3 designed by Isamu Noguchi. This is a vintage, used model from an estate. Manufacture date is unknown but estimated to have b...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp, Model 14A
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Seattle, WA
A newer vintage Noguchi Akari floor lamp model 14A, In great condition no scratches on the frame or tears on the shade. Came with original box.
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp, Model 13A
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Seattle, WA
A newer vintage Noguchi Akari floor lamp model 13A, In great condition no scratches on the frame or tears on the shade. Came with original box.
Metal
Isamu Noguchi, Akari Mod.22N Table Lamp, Daiko, Japan, C1980
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in London, GB
Isamu Noguchi (1904 – 1988) was an artist, furniture designer, ceramicist, theatre designer and landscape architect. In 1951, he began designing Akari Light Sculptures – 100 of them ...
Wire
Isamu Noguchi, Akari 50EN Pendant, Ozeki & Co Ltd, Japan 1955
By Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in London, GB
Isamu Noguchi (1904 – 1988) was an artist, furniture designer, ceramicist, theatre designer and landscape architect. In 1951, he began designing Akari Light Sculptures – 100 of them – to reinvigorate the flailing craft of lantern making in Ozeki...
Wire