Legends About a Legend

A legendary piece of furniture gives rise to legends about its inception, and the Noguchi table is a perfect example. Where did the design begin?

"Anybody Can Make a Three-Legged Table"

Isamu Noguchi says in his autobiography that the design began after another designer "borrowed" a Noguchi design for a three-legged table, then offered it for sale. That designer answered Noguchi's protests by saying, "Anybody can make a three-legged table." So Noguchi set out to design a different three-legged table. One that not just anybody could make.

How to Make a Table

Were the tables in these two stories one and the same? Probably. Because George Nelson asked Noguchi to allow him to use the design he saw that day to illustrate an article called "How to Make a Table." And he also wanted Herman Miller to produce it. From the time it first appeared on the market as a Herman Miller table in 1948, it became perhaps Noguchi's most recognized work.

His Favorite Furniture Design

Noguchi was, first and foremost, a sculptor who believed his task was to shape and bring order to space. He also believed that art should become as one with its surroundings. In a long lifetime of creative work, Noguchi designed gardens and plazas, fountains and murals, furniture and paper lamps, and stage sets for modern dance pioneer Martha Graham. But he said that of all the furniture designs he created, the table that bears his name represented his only true success.

General Dimensions

• H:15.75"
• W:50"
• D:36"

Care & Maintenance

With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.

The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.

Glass

For normal cleaning, use products specifically designed for glass.

Solid Wood and Veneer

For normal cleaning, dust furniture daily with a slightly damp, soft cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Once a month, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture. Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth. Twice a year, apply a good quality emulsion wax to the finish with a soft cloth. Emulsion wax is clear and prevents fingerprints.

For minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches, rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No. 000 steel wool. Apply a scratch-removing polish with a color and value that simulate the veneer. If the scratches are deep, consult a professional furniture refinisher.