Isamu Noguchi floor lamp

This very rare floor lamp, designed by Isamu Noguchi in the 1960s and produced by Akari in Japan, stands as a prime example of Noguchi’s fusion of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modernist principles. The lamp features a spherical shade made from hand-laminated Shoji paper, delicately draped over a bamboo and wire frame. It is supported by a tall, slender bamboo pole, accented with black lacquered bands, and stands on a rounded black cast iron base that provides stability without compromising the lamp’s minimal visual footprint.

The paper shade is finely ribbed, allowing for a softly diffused light that enhances the ambiance of any room. This design emphasizes the handmade nature of the piece, reflecting Noguchi’s appreciation for the tactile qualities of materials. The bamboo shaft, with its segmented design and visible tonal variations, adds an organic rhythm to the lamp while highlighting the beauty of the natural material. The combination of bamboo, iron, steel, and Shoji paper demonstrates Noguchi’s commitment to material honesty, where each element is used in its most natural or minimally treated state.

This lamp is part of Noguchi’s larger Akari light sculpture series, which sought to infuse functional lighting with warmth and poetry, bridging the gap between art and utility. The model exemplifies the mid-century Japanese-American cross-cultural aesthetic, blending traditional Japanese techniques with the clean, sculptural lines of modernist design.

The lamp is in very good vintage condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use. The dimensions are 60 cm in diameter and 170 cm in height (approximately 23.6 inches in diameter and 66.9 inches in height). This piece remains a striking example of Noguchi’s design philosophy, combining artistic expression with functional illumination.