There are people who really know the difference between a real Noguchi table and a knockoff. Then there are people, like me, who have no idea how to tell them apart. I’m pretty sure there are a lot more people like me, so this article will go a long way in preventing you from falling into a trap and ending up with cheap shit that you spent hundreds of dollars on. So thank you for taking a few minutes to learn how to identify an authentic Noguchi table because it will help you and prevent one less person from selling a design that has been stolen and is not worth a dollar.
To make it even simpler, I have put together a list of the features you should pay attention to when confirming whether or not you are looking at an authentic Noguchi table:
- The first thing to look for is Isamu Noguchi’s signature, which will be located in two places: the edge of the table top and his initials in a medallion below the base.
- This one is easy: If your table isn’t made of solid wood, it’s a fake. Also, keep an eye on the wood stain because real tables are stained by hand and not with a cheap spray that won’t hide scratches.
- Finally, if the glass is at least 3/4 “thick and the edges are square, you have nothing to worry about!
So there you have it, now you can see an authentic Noguchi table right away and you’ll be happy to know that in a few years your “vintage” table will have doubled and then tripled in resale value. Thank you again for taking the time to educate yourself on a topic that is dear to me and important to the entire design industry!