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.
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
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 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
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
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
Vintage Boho Isamu Noguchi Biomorphic Sofa And Ottoman
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Channeling the freeform elegance of mid-century modernism, this rare biomorphic sofa and ottoman set is a sculptural masterpiece in the spirit of Isamu Noguchi's organic design philo...
Fabric, Wood
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 0841 Good condition. Origin...
Fabric, Wood
$4,200
H 28 in W 90 in D 46 in
Mid-Century Modern Kidney Shaped Curved Serpentine Biomorphic Cloud Sofa
By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern biomorphic kidney shaped sofa. This long tailored cloud sofa features an elongated removable single seat cushion with a curved tight back. Original neutra...
Upholstery, Wood
A vintage biomorphic sofa in shearling, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage biomorphic curvy sofa, late 20th century. Upholstered in an off-white shearling bouclé, this piece represents the avant-garde of the postmodern design era, of which Russian...
Fabric, Wood
$10,736 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$8,000
H 53.5 in W 64 in D 90 in
2020 Vitra Alcove Seating by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec in Orange Fabric
By Vitra, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a custom c-shaped high Alcove sofa, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, produced by Vitra in Germany. It was acquired directly from Vitra, when...
Steel
$100,000
H 25.6 in W 137.8 in D 74.81 in
Monumental “Boa” Sofa by Fernando and Humberto Campana — Brazil, 2002
By Fernando and Humberto Campana
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
A striking icon of contemporary Brazilian design, the “Boa” sofa, created by celebrated designers Fernando and Humberto Campana in 2002, stands as a bold testament to the Campana Bro...
Velvet
Sofa by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Milo Baughman's tapered leg sofa, adorned with a fresh Herman Miller, Alexander Girard fabric and new foam, exudes timeless sophistication. The sleek, tapered legs provide a modern t...
Upholstery, Wood
$8,303
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 31.5 in
Bucefalo Sofa by Daniele Canova, Black Minimalist Multifunction Design, 2010s
By Zaha Hadid, Karim Rashid, Ron Arad, Marc Newson
Located in Paris, FR
Bucefalo Sofa by Daniele Canova Rare Italian Minimalist Design – Sculptural Multifunction Sofa Inspired by Bucephalus, the legendary black horse tamed only by Alexander the Great, t...
Metal
1990s Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Original Fabric
Located in Miami, FL
1990s Serpentine Cloud Sofa, Original Fabric Offered for sale is a 1990s in the original red fabric. The sofa is supported by chrome feet that are in good condition. The upholstery...
Chrome
1980s 3-Piece Biomorphic Curved Sofa By Preview
By Preview
Located in Bensalem, PA
This is one unique sofa, very comfortable. The shape is amazing would be the center focus point of any room Made by Preview Furniture
Upholstery
$4,414
H 32.68 in W 87.01 in D 39.77 in
Baisity sofa designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, 1980s.
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Athens, Attiki
Baisity sofa designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, 1980s. Original fabric with extraordinary paisley pattern and leather. Excellent condition
Leather, Fabric, Silk
Isamu Kenmochi Sofa
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Isamu Kenmochi rosewood and leather sofa, for Tendo Mokko, 1967.
Leather, Rosewood
$12,000
H 36 in W 102 in D 50 in
Christopher Guy, Modern, Curved Lafite Sofa, Beige Velvet, Black Wood, 2010s
By Christopher Guy
Located in Manhasset, NY
Christopher Guy, Modern, Curved Lafite Sofa, Beige Velvet, Black Wood, 2010s LAFITE sofa designed and produced by Christopher Guy. This curvaceous settee exhibits charm through its soft edges and gently rolled back, curved arms, and fluted ebonized wood tapered leg...
Velvet, Wood
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
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
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
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguchi
By Vitra, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Westport, CT
Rare freeform sculptural sofa designed by Isamu Noguchi. Newly upholstered in cotton velvet by Holly Hunt. Walnut legs fully restored.
Velvet, Walnut
Palazzetti Noguchi Cloud Sofa
By Palazzetti, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dallas, TX
The Noguchi sofa is no longer offered by Palazzetti. This one is executued Naugahyde. About Palazetti: Palazzetti created access to the public for the ...
Upholstery, Wood
Modern Isamu Noguchi Free-Form Cloud Sofa
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Japanese-American designer Isamu Noguchi's "Cloud" sofa's curves will add a bit of whimsy to any space.
Wool, Wood
Freeform Sofa in Green Wool 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 free-form sofa has a light and elegant feel." Vitra Design Museum Collection. The faded green ...
Wood, Wool
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