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.
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
$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
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
$5,580
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 118.12 in
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
Bar stool 1950s
By René Martin
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paire de tabourets de bar, travail des années 50
Ash
$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 Vitra, Jean Prouvé
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
Tony Paul Woven Wicker & Wood Tri-Leg Stool, USA, 1950s
By Tony Paul
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the USA by Tony Paul, this stools features a hand-woven wicker seat set on a wood base with three turned wood legs. Often simply attributed to Paul, mine is auth...
Wicker, Wood
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
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
$11,950 / set
H 28.35 in W 118.12 in D 51.19 in
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
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 Isamu Noguchi, Vitra
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
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
Noguchi for Knoll Rocking Stool
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
United States: Rocking stool by Isamu Noguchi; manufactured by Knoll Inc., 1955.
Rocking Stool Model 85T by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early walnut rocking stool by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll. Made in USA, circa 1955.
Steel
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool by Vitra
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Rocking stool designed in 1954 by Isamu Noguchi. This example is from the Vitra Design Museum edition. Hard to find and no longer in production.
Chrome
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool, Model 85T, Early Walnut Version
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful, early, original, model 85-T, Noguchi rocking stool in solid walnut.
Steel
Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rocking stool designed by Isamu Noguchi, manufactured by Knoll Inc. in 1955.
Chrome, Stainless Steel
Early Isamu Noguchi Rocking Stool
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Early, solid walnut Isamu Noguchi rocking stool. Model 85-t. Produced by Knoll.
Steel