Paddle Fin stool

The Paddle Fin stool epitomizes the level of artistry and experimentation during the middle of the twentieth century. This is an extremely rare and important example of modernism by one of its most innovative contributors. Isamu Noguchi was a sculptor who adapted his ideas of form and material to the design of furniture. In the late 1940’s, he was brought to Herman Miller by George Nelson, along with Charles and Ray Eames. Appropriating parts from the Eames’ DCMs, Noguchi cut their compound-curved seat into a circle, and utilized half of their metal base for two of the legs. In keeping with his penchant for natural form in his art, he created a curved fin for the third leg of the stool. The final result is part Readymade and part sculptural object. This example displays an ebonized finish on the seat and fin, with original screw-in feet on the legs.
Walnut, steel
201?2l x 131?2w x 171?2h
Pictured in “1000 chairs” pg. 288, Taschen.