Isamu Noguchi Akari 2P table lamp, 1950s. Washi paper on wire frame, signed with sun-and-moon mark. Vintage example, rewired EU, original box.
Specifications:
- Designer: Isamu Noguchi
- Manufacturer: Akari Associates
- Country/Period: United States, 1950s
- Materials: Washi paper, metal wire frame
- Conditions: Good vintage condition; newly wired to EU standards. Wear consistent with age and use: gentle patina to paper, a few small stains to the back, two small tears at the base. Signed with sun-and-moon mark and signature; original cardboard box present.
- Dimensions: H 74 × W 28 × D 28 cm (approx.)
- Price: €1,500
- Shipping: Contact us for a quote
Isamu Noguchi’s Akari 2P is an emblematic mid-century “light sculpture” conceived for Akari Associates in the 1950s. This vintage example comes from a private home in Trieste, acquired in New York in the 1980s, and retains the discreet presence and poetic luminosity that define Noguchi’s paper lights. See images for surface and paper tone.
The 2P features a demountable black metal wire frame supporting a hand-made washi shade that softly diffuses light, creating a warm ambient glow. The tripod stance and tapered, lantern-like volume yield balanced proportions; subtle creasing and patina add depth and authenticity to the surface.
Technically, the lamp is signed with the sun-and-moon mark alongside Noguchi’s signature—an authenticity hallmark for Akari pieces. Newly rewired to EU standards, it mounts a single E27 bulb. Condition is very good with age-appropriate wear: minor stains to the back and two small tears at the base; the shade shows a beautiful, even patina. Original cardboard box present.
Noguchi began the Akari series in 1951, collaborating with Gifu artisans to translate traditional washi lantern craft into modern living. The term “Akari” conveys both “light” and “illumination,” encapsulating the project’s union of sculpture and function.
