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.
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
Mid-Century Modern Model '86T' Rocking Stool by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra
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
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 0977. Good condition but wi...
Fabric, Wood
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 0841 Good condition. Origin...
Fabric, Wood
$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
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
German Designer, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Germany, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric sofa with bed designed and produced in Germany, c. 1960s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Age-appropriate patina re...
Fabric, 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
Paul Laszlo, Stool, Wood, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and green velvet stool designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood legs consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand new velvet....
Velvet, Wood
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
Antique French Charles X Sofa, Fabric and Wood, 1820s Design
Located in Brussels, BE
French Charles X Sofa, 1820s
Fabric, Wood
$1,360 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Jean Prouvé Tabouret Solvay / Bois Stool in Solid Natural Walnut by Vitra
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Tabouret Bois (Solvay) is designed by Jean Prouvé and manufactured by Vitra. The design of the Tabouret Bois clearly bears the signature of Jean Prou...
Metal
Raymond Loewy, Stool, Oak, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Mengel Furniture Co., Raymond Loewy
Located in High Point, NC
A cerused oak and beige velvet stool designed by Raymond Loewy and produced by Mengel Furniture Co, US, c. 1950s.
Fabric, Oak
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. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Overall Dimensions (inch...
Iron
American Designer, Freeform Sofa, Green Fabric, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green fabric sofa designed and produced by an American designer, USA, 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 17.5" All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Fabric
Isamu Kenmochi Sofa
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Isamu Kenmochi rosewood and leather sofa, for Tendo Mokko, 1967.
Leather, Rosewood
Freeform Sculptural Organic Modern Wood Sofa Bench
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A striking fusion of nature and design, this sculptural sofa is crafted from solid, organically shaped wood, preserving the raw curvature, knots, and expressive grain of the original...
Hardwood
American Designer, Bar Stools, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of bamboo and rattan bar stools designed and produced in the US, 1950s.
Bamboo, 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 Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
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 Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
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
Sold
H 28.25 in W 118 in D 51.25 in
Signed Vitra Isamu Noguchi Freeform Cloud Large Biomorphic Sofa & Ottoman
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
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 Isamu Noguchi, Vitra
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
Freeform Sofa and Ottoman by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
The sculptural quality of Noguchi's design vocabulary finds expression in the Freeform Sofa: it is entirely different from other designs of the same per...
Wool, Walnut
Sold
H 19.69 in Dm 23.63 in
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table Rocking Stool Set for Knoll International Expo 1958
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
This set is a real piece of contemporary history of Mid Century Design and was exhibited with other objects by Isamu Noguchi in the pavilion of the USA at the World’s Fair in Brussels 1958. Isamu Noguchi designed the Cyclone table and the Rocking stools in 1955 and the table was made in white laminated plywood and black lacquered steel rods on a solid teak pedestral and the rocking stools were made with in solid teak top and chrome-plated steel rods. On one stool the original World’s Fair...
Metal
Sold
H 16.5 in Dm 14 in
Isamu Noguchi, Early "Cyclone" Stool, Maple, Chrome-Plated Steel, Knoll, 1950s
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in High Point, NC
An early all-original organic "Cyclone" stool, designed by Isamu Noguchi, produced by Knoll Associates, Inc, New York, America. Bears original label. In finely sculpted maple, on ch...
Stainless Steel
Modern Sculptural Freeform Cloud Sofa and Ottoman by Isamu Noguchi
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Houston, TX
Sculptural freeform cloud sofa and ottoman by Isamu Noguchi for Virta. The velvet is a light pink color with walnut legs. Ottoman measurements: H 16 in. x W 45.5 in. x D 26 in.
Velvet, Walnut