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 Akari Light Sculpture, Model 36N Ceiling 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...
Bamboo, Paper
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 70XL Ceiling 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...
Bamboo, Paper
Isamu Noguchi Mid-Century Modern 70XL Pendant Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Ceiling lamp, model 70XL, designed by Isamu Noguchi. Manufactured by Ozeki & Company Ltd. (Japan.) Bamboo ribbing structure covered by washi paper manufactured according to the ...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi 31N Paper Akari Pendant Lamp, Bamboo & Washi, 1990
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pendant lamp model 31N designed by Isamu Noguchi. Manufactured by Ozeki & Company Ltd. (Japan.) Bamboo ribbing structure covered by washi paper manufactured according to the tr...
Metal
$1,223Sale Price|35% Off
H 15.75 in W 25.6 in D 18.71 in
Mid Century Modern Paper Lamp in the Style of Isamu Noguchi, 1990
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid Century Modern Paper Lamp After Isamu Noguchi By unknown manufacturer, circa 1990. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Paper
Isamu Noguchi Akari Pendant Ceiling Paper Lamp 35N
By Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
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...
Steel
$608Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.7 in W 17.7 in D 17.7 in
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 45X Ceiling 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...
Bamboo, Paper
Early Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 45D Ceiling 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...
Bamboo, Paper
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. ...
Steel
$2,108
H 15.75 in W 25.6 in D 18.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Paper Lamp Inspired by Isamu Noguchi, France, 1990
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid Century Modern Paper Lamp After Isamu Noguchi By unknown manufacturer, circa 1990. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Paper
Serge Mouille Mid-Century Modern White Bibliothèque Ceiling Lamp
By Editions Serge Mouille, Serge Mouille
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ceiling lamp model 'Bibliothèque Ceiling Lamp' designed by Serge Mouille in 1953. Manufactured by Editions Serge Mouille in France. The production of lamps, wall lights and floor la...
Aluminum, Bronze, Steel
Birgitte Due Madsen and Jonas Trampedach Moby 1 Khaki Table Lamp For Karakter
By Birgitte Due Madsen
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Birgitte Due Madsen , Jonas Trampedach, 2015 Moby 1 Khaki For Karakter Moby is an extraordinarily sculptural table lamp. Filled with intriguing contrasts, it balances a soft and com...
Acrylic, Rubber
Joe Colombo Riscio Table Lamp, Steel, Mid-Century Modern Design, Denmark
By Joe Colombo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table lamp designed by Joe Colombo in 1968. With its sleek yet optimistic clarity of form; a light, triangular shade seemingly floating off a weighty cylindric base, Italian desi...
Steel
Atelier Oï Oïphorique P Gr Suspension Lamp For Parachilna
By Atelier Oï 1
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Atelier Oï Oïphorique P Gr Suspension Lamp For Parachilna Oïphorique displays an elegant textile diffuser. After turning on the light you awake the soul, it all starts moving in a ...
Steel
David Thulstrup Isol Suspension Lamp 30/76 Cream for Astep
By Astep
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Isol Suspension Lamp Design by David Thulstrup Specifications: Isolators Typology: Suspension Materials: Aluminium Structure, Acoustic Absorbent Fabric Diffuser with Snowsound® Tech...
Aluminum
Partisans Gweilo Zhou Pe Suspension Lamp For Parachilna
By PARTISANS
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Partisans Gweilo Zhou Pe Suspension Lamp For Parachilna This collection is composed of a thermoformed acrylic and an extruded aluminum profile housing an LED strip. they is careful...
Acrylic
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