Design 
27 October 2022
Design 
125

Knoll Associates

Rocking stool production variant

USA, c. 1955
composite, canvas, enameled steel 17¾ h × 12½ dia in (45 × 32 cm)
estimate: $6,000–8,000
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This Knoll adaptation of Noguchi's Rocking Stool features a later custom seat by Robert Savage.
provenance: Estate of Robert H. Savage | Thence by descent
literature: Isamu Noguchi: Sculptural Design, Eisenbrand, Posch and von Vegesack, pg. 128

This work will ship from Wright in Chicago, Illinois.

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Robert H. Savage, former Design Development Superintendent for Knoll Associates, had the nickname around the plant of “Leonardo” for his expert welding skills. Savage, who was brought into Knoll by Harry Bertoia in the early 1950s, created all of the production jigs for Bertoia’s furniture. The present lot, likely a pre-production Noguchi Rocking stool features a variant composite base and enameled steel supports. The canvas seat and fabric seat cover were custom additions created by Savage himself.

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