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 Mid-Century Modern Paper Akari 26A Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Barcelona, ES
26A ceiling lamp, designed by Isamu Noguchi. Manufactured by Ozeki & Company Ltd. (Japan.) Bamboo ribbing structure covered by washi paper manufactured according to the tradition...
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
Early Rare Isamu Noguchi 30A Akari Light Sculpture, Ozeki 1951
By Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in Mortsel, BE
Introducing the Akari Light Sculpture Model 30A by Isamu Noguchi, a rare gem from 1951 meticulously crafted in the renowned Ozeki factory. This piece stands as one of the earliest pr...
Metal
$1,778
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
Sculptural paper pendant lamp shade in the style of Isamu Noguchi, produced by an unknown manufacturer during the 1990s. The shade features a softly rounded, organic silhouette form...
Paper
Akari Model 1AS Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Akari model 1AS light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. This table lamp has a shade made from handmade washi paper, ink and bamboo ribs with the original Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stam...
Metal
Akari Model 20n Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Akari Model 20N light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. ...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari 33N Light Sculpture, Ozeki & Co., Japan
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Dronten, NL
Akari 33N lamp designed by Isamu Noguchi, 1951. Manufactured by Ozeki & Co. in Japan. Bambu structure covered by washi paper. Wired for U.S. standards....
Bamboo, Paper
Akari Model 1A Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Akari model 1A light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. This table lamp has a shade made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with the original Noguch...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi, Akari Light Sculpture, model S2, Japan 1970s
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, model S2 suspension lamp with sun and moon ideogram together with the original paper bag stamped S2 Noguchi designed his series of Akari light s...
Metal
Monumental Akari Model 70F Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
By Akari, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Akari model 70F light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. Executed in a shade of handmade washi paper stretched along hand-fabricated bamboo ribs with or...
Metal
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 70EN 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 50EN 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 21A 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 30D 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 55A 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 55D 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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