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Isamu Noguchi

Japanese, American, 1904-1988

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.

Average Sold Price
$2,930
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Isamu Noguchi
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Isamu Noguchi Akari Table Lamp 1X
Isamu Noguchi Akari Table Lamp 1X

Isamu Noguchi Akari Table Lamp 1X

$995

H 14.97 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Table Lamp 1X

By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi

Located in Malmö, SE

This is an exceptional table lamp. Designed by Isamu Noguchi and made by Ozeki & Co in Gifu, Japan. Model 1X. The lampshade is created from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribbing, ...

Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Steel

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-31N
Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-31N

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-31N

$6,995

H 75.01 in W 13 in D 13 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-31N

By Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1

Located in Malmö, SE

This is an exceptional floor lamp. Designed by Isamu Noguchi and made by Ozeki & Co in Gifu, Japan. Model ST2-31N. The lampshade is created from handmade washi paper and bamboo ...

Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Steel

Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 35N
Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 35N

Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 35N

$3,495

H 63 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 35N

By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi

Located in Malmö, SE

This is an exceptional lamp. Designed by Isamu Noguchi and made by Ozeki & Co in Gifu, Japan. Model 35N. The lampshade is created from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribbing, s...

Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Steel

Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 24N Table Lamp
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 24N Table Lamp

Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 24N Table Lamp

$890 / item

H 23 in W 15.7 in D 15.7 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 24N Table Lamp

By Isamu Noguchi

Located in Centreville, VA

Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi are considered icons of 1950s modern design. Designed by Noguchi beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half century by the original manufacture...

Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N
Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N

$5,495

H 75.01 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N

By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi

Located in Malmö, SE

This is an exceptional floor lamp. Designed by Isamu Noguchi and made by Ozeki & Co in Gifu, Japan. Model ST2-35N. The lampshade is created from handmade washi paper and bamboo ...

Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Steel

Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 45X
Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 45X

Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 45X

$695 / item

H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 45X

By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi

Located in Malmö, SE

This is an exceptional lamp. Designed by Isamu Noguchi and made by Ozeki & Co in Gifu, Japan. Model 45X. The lampshade is created from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribbing. ...

Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Steel

Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern Hawkeye Measured Time Clock & Timer, circa 1932
Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern Hawkeye Measured Time Clock & Timer, circa 1932

Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern Hawkeye Measured Time Clock & Timer, circa 1932

By Isamu Noguchi

Located in Studio City, CA

A fabulous Midcentury original Hawkeye Measured Time clock/timer created by famed Japanese American designer Isamu Noguchi. This clock was the first Noguchi's designs to go into mas...

Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Metal

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N
Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N

$6,995

H 75.01 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in

Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp ST2-35N

By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi

Located in Malmö, SE

This is an exceptional floor lamp. Designed by Isamu Noguchi and made by Ozeki & Co in Gifu, Japan. Model ST2-35N. The lampshade is created from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribb...

Category

Early 2000s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Isamu Noguchi

Materials

Steel

Browse all Furniture from Isamu Noguchi
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Isamu Noguchi Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$1,600Side TablesMetal, Iron, Laminate, Lacquer1960s
2026$2,250Floor Lamps, Table LampsMetal, Bamboo, Papercirca 2000s
2026$5,828Chandeliers and PendantsWire, Paper1980s
2026$1,480Side TablesChrome, Iron, Laminate, Plywood2000
2026$46,000Chandeliers and PendantsMetal, Bamboo, Paperc. 1964
2026$11,250SofasBeech, Maple, Fabric, Foam2010
2026$2,560Side TablesSteel, Plywood1970
2026$624Floor LampsBamboo, PaperCirca 1990
2026$3,060Floor LampsPaper, Wood, Metal20th Century
2026$370VasesCeramic1960s
2026$3,000Chandeliers and PendantsMetal, Bamboo, Paper1950-1959s
2026$1,184Floor LampsBamboo, PaperCirca 1990
2026$509Chandeliers and PendantsBamboo, PaperCirca 1990
2026$1,950Floor LampsSteel, PaperUnknown
2026$2,520Dining Room TablesEnamel, Steel, Iron, Laminate, Wood1950
2026$4,855Floor LampsBamboo, Rattan, Oak1960s
2026$2,500Chandeliers and PendantsMetal, Paper, Bamboocirca 2010s
2026$4,050Floor LampsBamboo, Paper, Iron1960
2026$6,202SofasFabric, Wood2000s
2026$1,800Table LampsMetal, Bamboo, Papercirca 2000s
$2,930
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$190-$46,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Isamu Noguchi

More Isamu Noguchi Designs
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
Average Price
$7,763
Number Available
67
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Paper, Bamboo, Metal
Styles
Mid Century Modern
It was a trip to Japan in the spring of 1951 that inspired artist and designer Isamu Noguchi (1904–88) to create the Akari light sculpture. Noguchi was passing through the city of Gifu, in central Japan, and observed a traditional nighttime festival in which fishermen use cormorants to help them catch fish. Each boat was equipped with a chochin lantern to light its way. Noguchi — one of the 20th century’s most inventive artists — was enraptured with the beauty of these traditional decorative ...
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Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
Average Price
$5,223
Number Available
9
Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Table
By Isamu Noguchi
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wood, Laminate, Plywood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
The playful Cyclone table, designed by Isamu Noguchi (1904–88), initially wasn’t a table at all. But the versatile artist, who both worked across disciplines and used widely varying materials, was likely accustomed to things not going exactly as planned.  The insatiably curious son of a Japanese poet and an Irish-American writer, Noguchi yearned to become a sculptor from a young age. He was so moved by the abstract sculpture of Constantin Brancusi — who he assisted in Paris — that he spent se...
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Isamu Noguchi furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Isamu Noguchi furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Isamu Noguchi furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Isamu Noguchi were created in the mid-century modern style in japan during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ozeki & Co. Ltd., La Gardo Tackett, and Akari. Prices for Isamu Noguchi furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $160 and can go as high as $69,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,745.