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
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
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 118 in D 51.25 in
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
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguch, 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
$12,500
H 28.5 in W 112.5 in D 49.75 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
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
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguch, 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
$12,483 / item
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 26.78 in
Beige and Natural Oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 Mingle Sofa by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige and natural oak raf simons vidar 3 mingle sofa by Lassen. Dimensions: W 154 x D 68 x H 74 cm. Materials: textile, oak. The mingle sofa was designed in 1935 by architect Fl...
Textile, Oak
$17,508 / item
H 31.5 in W 85.44 in D 34.65 in
Orange and Smoked Oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 Vilhelm Sofa by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Orange and smoked oak raf simons vidar 3 Vilhelm sofa by Lassen. Dimensions: W 217 x D 88 x H 80 cm Materials: Textile, oak. Vilhelm is a beautiful padded three-seater sofa des...
Textile, Oak
$12,483 / item
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 26.78 in
Blue and Natural Oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 Mingle Sofa by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue and natural oak raf simons vidar 3 mingle sofa by Lassen. Dimensions: W 154 x D 68 x H 74 cm. Materials: textile, oak. The Mingle sofa was designed in 1935 by architect Fl...
Textile, Oak
$12,483 / item
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 26.78 in
Grey and Smoked Oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 Mingle Sofa by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey and smoked oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 mingle sofa by Lassen. Dimensions: W 154 x D 68 x H 74 cm. Materials: Textile, oak. The Mingle sofa was designed in 1935 by architect Fle...
Textile, Oak
$12,483 / item
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 26.78 in
Blue and Smoked Oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 Mingle Sofa by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue and smoked oak raf simons vidar 3 mingle sofa by Lassen. Dimensions: W 154 x D 68 x H 74 cm. Materials: textile, oak. The Mingle sofa was designed in 1935 by architect Flem...
Textile, Oak
$12,483 / item
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 26.78 in
Maroon and Natural Oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 Mingle Sofa by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Maroon and natural oak Raf Simons Vidar 3 mingle sofa by Lassen. Dimensions: W 154 x D 68 x H 74 cm. Materials: Textile, Oak. The Mingle sofa was designed in 1935 by architect ...
Textile, Oak
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
Freeform sofa by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
"Thanks to its organic shape and the natural colored wool fabric, Isamu Noguchi's large Freeform sofa has a light and elegant feel". Vitra Design Museum...
Wood, Wool