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’ Pendant Mod, 45A for Steph Simon, France c1950
By Steph Simon, Isamu Noguchi
Located in London, GB
Isamu Noguchi (1904 – 1988) was an artist, furniture designer, ceramicist, theatre designer and landscape architect. In 1951, he began designing Akari Light Sculptures – 100 of them ...
Paper
Luigi Caccia Dominioni Bidone chandelier for Azucena, Italy 1960s
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in London, GB
Luigi Caccia Dominioni, one of the world’s oldest practicing architects until he died in 2016 aged 103, was according to Pin Up magazine – “the architect’s architect”. Visible in eve...
Brass
Luigi Caccia Dominioni LS1 pendant lamp for Azucena - Italy, 1954
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Azucena
Located in London, GB
Milanese architect, furniture designer and centenarian Luigi Caccia Dominioni (1913–2016) won the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award several times and proved instrumental in rebuilding...
Brass
Hammered ceiling lamp attributed to Tommaso Barbi - Italy, 1970s
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in London, GB
A set of three 1970s ceiling lamps, attributed to the Florentine designer Tommaso Barbi (b.1944-2015), known for his expressive use of brass. Each lamp is characterised by four ham...
Brass
Nieuwenborg & Wegman 'Delight' wall lights for Ingo Maurer - Germany 1980.
By Frans van Nieuwenborg 1, Ingo Maurer, Martijn Wegman
Located in London, GB
A playful interpretation of the humble tea towel, the Delight wall sconces were created for lighting manufacturer Ingo Maurer by Dutch designers Martijn Wegman and Frans Van Nieuwenb...
Fiberglass
Achille Castiglioni Teli Kd51/R light Flos - Italy 1970s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in London, GB
Light is tempered and diffused by these rare pendants, an elegant contrast of primary modernist shapes and textured fabric. Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) and his brother Pier Giaco...
Steel
Pair of Isamu Noguchi "33x" Mid Century Pendant Lamps by Ozeki & Co Ltd, 1970s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and early pair of American / Japanese mid century ceiling pendant lamps in natural patinated washi paper and bamboo model "35x" designed by Isamu Noguchi and produced by Ozeki...
Bamboo, Paper
Early and Rare 30D Akari Pendant by Isamu Noguchi for Ozeki, 1950s
By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Echt, NL
Early 30D Akari lamp in excellent condition. Designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1951 Produced by Ozeki & Co., Ltd. New old stock, 4 items available! Model 30D is a globe shaped pendant in the Akari series. This example features the earliest manufacturer's mark, a red sun and half-moon insignia. The lamp is made out of Japanese washi paper, bamboo and metal. In 1951 Isamu Noguchi visited the town of Gifu, Japan, known for its manufacture of lanterns and umbrellas from mulberry bark paper and bamboo. Noguchi designed the first of his lamps that would be produced by the traditional Gifu methods of construction. He called these works Akari, a term meaning light as illumination, but also implying the idea of weightlessness. The fabrication of Akari in Japan at Ozeki & Co. since 1951 followed the traditional methods for Japanese Gifu lanterns...
Metal
Early and Rare 40D Akari Pendant by Isamu Noguchi for Ozeki, 1950s
By Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Echt, NL
Early 40D Akari lamp in excellent condition. Designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1951 Produced by Ozeki & Co., Ltd. New old stock. Model 40D is a globe shaped pendant in the Akari series. This example features the earliest manufacturer's mark, a red sun and half-moon insignia. The lamp is made out of Japanese washi paper, bamboo and metal. In 1951 Isamu Noguchi visited the town of Gifu, Japan, known for its manufacture of lanterns and umbrellas from mulberry bark paper and bamboo. Noguchi designed the first of his lamps that would be produced by the traditional Gifu methods of construction. He called these works Akari, a term meaning light as illumination, but also implying the idea of weightlessness. The fabrication of Akari in Japan at Ozeki & Co. since 1951 followed the traditional methods for Japanese Gifu lanterns...
Metal
Set of 2 Mid-Century German Cocoon Pendant Lamps by Friedel Wauer, Goldkant
By Friedel Wauer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-century cocoon pendant lights from goldkant after a design by friedel wauer from the 1960s. A minimalist design. The lights show a simple spherical shape. The small lamp forms a...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari 70N Light Sculpture, Ozeki & Co., Japan
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Akari 70N lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi, 1951. Manufactured by Ozeki & Co. in Japan. Bambu structure covered by washi paper. Wired for U.S. standards. New cord and black ena...
Bamboo, Paper
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 26A 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
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