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 Cyclone Round Dining Table Knoll Associate, Vintage
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A smaller-scale example of Isamu Noguchi’s Cyclone dining table, produced by Knoll Associates, featuring the signature sculptural wire base in chrome over a circular steel plate. The...
Iron
$1,500
H 28.75 in W 35.75 in D 35.75 in
1960s Isamu Noguchi (attr.) for Knoll 36" Cyclone Table mid century modern
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Iconic cyclone table designed by Isamu Noguchi and produced by Knoll Associates. This early table features a cast iron base, chrome spindles and a white laminate top. Unmarked. ...
Chrome, Iron
Vintage Mid Century Modern Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Side Table
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Side Table This mid century modern side table has an eye-catching steel wire silhouette an...
Wrought Iron
Isamu Noguchi (1904 - 1988) Occasional Table, Model 87
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare Isamu Noguchi occasional table, model 87. Table has chrome steel rods and wood base which has been professionally refinished. Table measures 24" diameter and 20" high. About ...
Steel
Knoll Cyclone Table by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Knoll Cyclone Side Tables, Model 311 designed by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll. This example dates to the 1960s. The piece has a cast-iron base which is coated in black porcelain e...
Metal, Chrome, Iron
$5,850
H 28.75 in Dm 47.5 in
Early Noguchi Cyclone Table for Knoll. Out of Production 48" Top. Signed.
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early, out of production 47.5 inch diameter Noguchi Cyclone Table. Signed with early Knoll label. The base shows signs of wear. Table top is in very good condition with light scra...
Chrome, Iron
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in Dm 48 in
1957 Isamu Noguchi for Knoll Original Mod Cyclone Dining Table
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1957 Original Cyclone Dining Table designed by noted artist Isamu Noguchi for Knoll. Signs of stamp ghost label underside present and worn. features a new formica top. Made in the ci...
Steel, Chrome, Iron
47.5” Cyclone Dining Table by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll
By Isamu Noguchi, Knoll
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The 47.5-inch Isamu Noguchi Cyclone dining table by Knoll is a rare and iconic piece, showcasing a harmonious blend of artistry and functionality. Designed by the renowned Isamu Noguchi, its distinctive base features a dynamic interplay of chrome-plated steel rods, creating a sculptural and eye-catching focal point. The round tabletop, measuring 47.5 inches in diameter, adds an elegant touch and provides ample space for dining or collaborative activities. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this collector's item seamlessly merges mid-century modern aesthetics with timeless sophistication, making it a coveted centerpiece for design enthusiasts. Photographed with C. Jeré boat...
Metal
$2,950
H 20.25 in W 24 in D 24 in
1960s Isamu Noguchi for Knoll Cyclone Side / Childs Table w/ 24" Laminate Top
By Knoll, Isamu Noguchi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Cyclone side table, model 87, designed by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll in 1953. This example dates to the 1960s. The piece has a cast-iron base which is coated in black porcelain enamel and has a white laminate top. The design’s chromed-steel wire construction rendered it a great fit to market alongside the Bertoia children...
Iron
Isamu Noguchi Occasional table, model 87 Knoll Associates USA, 1970
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Isamu Noguchi Occasional Table (Model 87) by Knoll International, USA, 1955. The Cyclone table by Isamu Noguchi, designed in the 1950s for Knoll, is one of those pieces that f...
Steel
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