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.
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguchi, Wood and Fabric, Vitra, Germany, 2002
By Isamu Noguchi, Vitra
Located in Roma, IT
Freeform Sofa is a design item realized by Isamu Noguchi Produced by Vitra. Wood and fabric sofa. Vitra original label and plate with reference number 0977. Good condition but wi...
Fabric, Wood
86T Rocking Stool by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra, USA, 1950s
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
Originally designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1954, the Rocking Stool is one of the designer’s most sculptural and unconventional seating designs. Rather than relying on a traditional four...
Chrome
Isamu Noguchi Freeform Sofa & Ottoman – Vitra, Raf Simons for Kvadrat Vidar 4
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Few designs balance art and function as seamlessly as Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Sofa. Originally conceived in 1946 and produced in very limited numbers today by Vitra, this is not jus...
Wool, Ash
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguchi, Wood and Fabric, Vitra, Germany, 2002
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Roma, IT
Freeform Sofa is a design item realized by Isamu Noguchi Produced by Vitra. Wood and fabric sofa. Vitra original label and plate with reference number 0841 Good condition. Origin...
Fabric, Wood
Rocking Stool by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Isamu Noguchi iconic rocking stool in dark stained wood with polished chrome accents, 14” diameter x 10”high. Vitra production. Blonde wood stool is available in a separate listing.
Chrome
$2,900 / set
H 30.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
American Designer, Pair of Bar Stools, Iron, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-painted iron and beige velvet bar stools, designed and produced in the US, 1950s.
Iron
American Designer, Counter Stools, Iron, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four black-painted iron and blue velvet counter stools or bar stools designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to metal. Wear consistent with age and u...
Iron
$4,874
H 22.45 in W 84.26 in D 32.68 in
Simone Sofa by Dino Gavina, Fabric and Wood, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Dino Gavina
Located in Brussels, BE
Simone Sofa by Dino Gavina for Studio Simon, 1971
Fabric, Wood
Time Life Walnut Stool by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dronten, NL
A fine lathe-turned wood stool model C designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. Perfect condition, marked with label. Charles and Ray Eames, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, revo...
Walnut
American Designer, Counter Stools, Bamboo, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four bamboo and green velvet counter stools designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new velvet. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 15.0"W x 15...
Velvet, Bamboo
Tabouret No. 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra in Oak
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
An iconic Tabouret No. 307 designed by Jean Prouvé, produced by Vitra in solid oak. Originally conceived in 1951 for the student residences at the Cité Universitaire in Antony, Franc...
Steel
$849
H 17 in W 15.75 in D 14 in
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Japan Mid-Century Modern Stacking Stool
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single bentwood stool by Isamu Kenmochi (1912-1971) for Akita Mokko. Original condition, minor scuffs. Label, circa 1950s Kenmochi was one of the most significant designers in midcentury Japan. He was a founding member of the Japan Industrial Designers, which included Sori Yanagi and Riki Watanabe...
Beech
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Stacking Vintage Stool
By Isamu Kenmochi, Akita Mokko
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Designed by Isamu Kenmochi and produced by Akita Mokko, this stool is considered one of the icons of Japanese modern design. Kenmochi is known for his works that blend traditional J...
Wood
American Designer, Bar Stools, Iron, Leather, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-lacquered iron and white leather bar stools designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Dimensions: 28.25” H x 18.25” Diameter
Iron
Corner Sofa Blond Wood and Fabric, Italy, 1950's
By Ico Parisi
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Corner sofa in blond wood and fabric,, Italy, 1950's What stands out most in this low corner bench are the recesses in the framework and the 9 straight, tapered, squared stiletto legs that are so typical for that period in Italy. As you can see the backrest is optional and was probably designed later to give it some extra comfort. Back in the days these sofas were mostly used for very practical purposes like a quick coffee or pasta. This sofa would work very well in a corner of course but strangely enough this rectangular sofa also works very well in the middle of a room for example with a round table and two chairs...
Fabric, Wood
Sofa Area by Antonio Citterio for Vitra, 2000s
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
An exceptionally solid piece of furniture from the legendary Vitra brand. Good condition.
Metal
$3,000
H 12.21 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Rattan Stool, Isamu Kenmochi for Yamakawa Rattan, Japan, 1970s
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Designed by Isamu Kenmochi, one of the pioneers of Japanese modern furniture design, this sculptural handwoven rattan stool beautifully exemplifies his philosophy of combining tradit...
Rattan
Sold
H 28.25 in W 118 in D 51.25 in
Freeform Sofa and Ottoman by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra Design Museum
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Freeform Sofa and Ottoman Designer: Isamu Noguchi Design Year: 1946 Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Sofa and Ottoman blends sculpture and function in a fluid, organic form. Inspired by na...
Beech, Maple
Freeform Ottoman by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra Design Museum
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Freeform Ottoman Designer: Isamu Noguchi Design Year: 1946 Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Ottoman blends sculpture and function in a fluid, organic form. Inspired by natural shapes, its ...
Beech, Maple
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra
By Isamu Noguchi, Vitra
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. Organic shape freeform sofa with wood legs. Upholstered in Maharam fabric.
Fabric, Wood
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra Design Museum
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Freeform Sofa Designer: Isamu Noguchi Design Year: 1946 Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Sofa blends sculpture and function in a fluid, organic form. Inspired by natural shapes, its asymme...
Beech, Maple
Sold
H 28.5 in W 112.5 in D 49.75 in L 28.5 in
2010s Isamu Noguchi for Vitra Cloud Freeform Sofa and Ottoman in Fabric
By Isamu Noguchi, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Freeform Sofa and Ottoman, originally designed by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra in 1946. This particular example was produced in the 2010s. The sofa and ottoman are comprised of ...
Beech, Maple, Fabric, Foam
Vintage Noguchi 86t Rocking Stool, Vitra
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Isamu Noguchi iconic rocking stool in blond wood with polished chrome accents, 14” diameter x 17”high. Vitra production. Short dark example not included, available in a separate list...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.25 in W 118 in D 51.25 in
Signed Vitra Isamu Noguchi Freeform Cloud Large Biomorphic Sofa & Ottoman
By Isamu Noguchi, Vitra
Located in West Hartford, CT
Isamu Noguchi's biomorphic, organic shaped "Cloud" Freeform Sofa is a direct extension of the artist's sculptural aesthetic and it effortlessly blurs distinctions between design and ...
Fabric, Textile, Wool, Wood, Maple
Isamu Noguchi Freeform Sofa and Ottoman for Vitra, 2000s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Coronado, CA
A sublime Freeform sofa by Isamu Noguchi, produced by Vitra circa 2002. This is a very early production example: the 33rd piece produced...
Beech, Maple
Sold
H 16.93 in Dm 13.98 in
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool, Model 86T, by Knoll 1954, Walnut and Chromed Steel
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), rocking stool, model 86T, designed 1954 and manufactured by Knoll associates, New York. Walnut seat and base with chromed steel supports. This is an orig...
Steel
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool for Vitra
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Isamu Noguchi rocking stool, originally designed in 1954 this example was reissued in 2001 for Vitra. This stool features a maple seat and ...
Steel, Chrome
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool for Vitra
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in New York, NY
Iconic low rocking stool with a maple top and base and chrome-plated steel rods, a 1954 Isamu Noguchi design for Knoll re-issued by Vitra in 2001. Intended ...
Chrome
Vitra Freeform Sofa + Ottoman '2007' by Isamu Noguchi
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Designed in 1946 and completely different from other designs of the same period, the Freeform Sofa embodies the poetic quality in Isamu Noguchi’s designs. Brochures and magazines tal...
Upholstery, Walnut