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.
$1,760Sale Price|44% Off
H 6.11 in W 3.55 in D 5.52 in
Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye "Measured Time" Clock and Kitchen Timer
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
The “Measured Time” clocks have appeared previously on the market without attribution, identified only by the clockface “Hawkeye” label or the Stev...
Metal
Mid-Century Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye Measured Time Clock and Timer
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Noguchi's first mass-produced design, completed circa 1932, predating his design for the "Radio Nurse" baby monitor by about five years. Produced...
Metal
$3,250
H 6 in W 5.5 in D 3.5 in
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...
Metal
Extremely Rare 1932 Isamu Noguchi “Measured Time” Clock
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are very pleased to present this *genuinely rare* Isamu Noguchi Measured Time Clock and Kitchen Timer. This clock marks Noguchi's first industr...
Bakelite
$15,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 5 in W 6 in D 2.5 in
1940s Isamu Noguchi Black+White Train Clock Modernist Japanese Industrial Design
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Sale includes both, and both clocks are untested, thus graded DISTRESSED, despite being cosmetically good.
Bakelite
$950
H 12.75 in W 12.75 in D 3 in
1950s Vintage Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson Howard Miller Ball Clock
By Howard Miller, George Nelson, Buckminster Fuller, Isamu Noguchi
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson Ball Clock. Produced by Howard Miller, with original tag. Designed in 1946. Runs quiet and smoothly with a replaced battery motor. From Ge...
Metal
$3,503
H 5.52 in W 6.89 in D 2.76 in
Bauhaus Table or Desk Clock by Marianne Brandt for Ruppelwerk Gotha Germany 1932
By Ruppelwerk, Marianne Brandt
Located in München, BY
A pure German Bauhaus Design object: table or desk clock by Marianne Brandt. Manufactured by Ruppelwerk, Gotha, Germany, ca. 1932. With original mechanical 8 days clock work. With key. Originally owned by Singer Nähmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Fabrik Wittenberg. Bez. Pdm (marked reverse). The table clock is repaired and maintained by a professional clock master who is specialized in maintenance of expensive clocks...
Metal
$1,325 / item
H 6.5 in W 5.25 in D 4.25 in
Irving Harper and George Nelson Chronopak Howard Miller Desk Clock
By George Nelson, Irving Harper, Howard Miller
Located in New Windsor, NY
Irving Harper fand George Nelson for Howard Miller Clock Company Chronopak desk clock. Solid walnut case, minimalist black metal face and a convex glass on a brass plated steel base....
Metal
Arne Jacobsen 'Station' Table Clock, White, Ø 4.3 in
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
The world-renowned architect's table clock with alarm feature was created in 1939. Its graphic look and metal base – clearly referencing his own Ant and No. 7 chairs – make the clock...
Plastic
Art Deco 30hr Desk Clock On A Bakelite Base, Fully Serviced. c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this very attractive Art Deco table/ desk clock. The movement we believe is of a German manufacturer origin because the chapter ring is marked “Foreign”, wh...
Brass, Chrome
George Nelson Brass Table Clock for Howard Miller, Mid-Century Modern
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Howard Miller brass clock. A round brass clock on a tri-legged brass pedestal with a thick plexiglass face. The clock has b...
Metal, Brass
Abstract Stone Horse Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract stone sculpture in the style of Noguchi. The sculpture consists of two stone pieces set into one another and then balanced on a wood base. The piece also uses rope and wood ...
Stone
Irving Harper Fire Starter by George Nelson for Howard Miller, 1950s
By Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving Harper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Irving Harper under George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller c. 1950s, USA. The footed cast iron pot features a coiled-handle and white firing stone that shows minimal ...
Iron
Greta Grossman Cobra Table Lamp for Ralph O. Smith
By Ralph O. Smith, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An award-winning 1948 design by Swedish-American Greta Grossman for Ralph O. Smith, a California-based lighting company. The lamp, colloquially known as the “Cobra” for its uniquely ...
Steel
Brass and Steel Abstract Sculpture, Mid-Century Modern, Patinated, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bronze and steel sculpture features a brass pestle that sits atop a steel mortar. Though not an actual mortar and pestle, this piece resembles just t...
Brass, Steel
Rosemarie & Rico Baltensweiler Articulating Table Lamp
By Rosemarie & Rico Baltensweiler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This table lamp comes from the collaboration of Rosemarie & Rico Baltensweiler, c.1960s, Switzerland. The lamp features a white enameled metal base and shade. The chrome plated stem ...
Metal, Chrome
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