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.
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
$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
$933 / item
H 19.69 in W 20.87 in D 16.54 in
Contemporary geometric handmade in Portugal Rock stool by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Rock is a stool with the same form of the smaller table of the Three Rocks set. The handcrafted upholstery work in velvet involves this unique creation with irregular shapes, turning...
Fabric, Wood
$982 / item
H 19.69 in W 20.87 in D 16.54 in
Contemporary geometric mustard velvet Rock stool by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Rock is a stool with the same form of the smaller table of the Three Rocks set. The handcrafted upholstery work in velvet involves this unique creation with irregular shapes, turning...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
$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
Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé for Vitra
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
Tabouret No. 307 in oak with tubular steel legs, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1951. Marked with Vitra label. Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) was a French architect, designer, and builder, ren...
Steel
$1,850 / set
H 20 in Dm 20 in
Pair of Woven Wicker Stools attributed to Isamu Kenmochi New Bouce Cushions
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Pair of Woven Wicker or Rattan Stools, attributed to Isamu Kenmochi, Japan, circa 1950s. Their loose cushions have recently been reupholstered in a plush ivory color boucle.
Wicker
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Stacking Vintage Stool
By Akita Mokko, Isamu Kenmochi
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
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Stacking Vintage Stool
By Akita Mokko, Isamu Kenmochi
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
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 period, appearing in combination ...
Wool, Walnut
Rock Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Rock Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 42 x W 53 x H 50 cm. Materials: InsidherLand Bright Velvet Ref. Pink fabric. 7 kg. Available in different fabrics. Rock is a stool with the ...
Upholstery, Wood
$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
$275
H 45 in W 19.25 in D 19.5 in
2020 Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Bar Stool in Ice Gray / Blue w/ Chrome Base
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL bar stool in ice gray (looks like baby blue). The chair was acquired directly from Vitra, as they recently...
Chrome
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 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
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