Vitra Akari 1AG Desk Lamp
Designed by Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi and handcrafted out of shoji paper, the Vitra Akari 1AG is a stylish desk light that captures the essence of the Akari lighting range and brightens up your home decor.
Key Features
- Bamboo and steel structure
- Timeless design
- Manufactured from fine shoji paper
Wellworking Says...
"Akari desk lights are like no other, handcrafted and a lovely statement light for the home."
Vitra Akari 1AG Desk Lamp FAQs
What exactly is the Akari 1AG?
The Akari 1AG is part of Noguchi’s 1951 Akari Light Sculptures series. Handmade in Japan, it features a frame of bamboo and steel wire, wrapped in traditional washi (Japanese mulberry) paper. Standing about 43 cm tall with a 26 cm diameter, it has three wire legs—elegant and minimal.
How is it made?
• Shade: Washi paper, partially painted
• Frame: Bamboo and steel wire
• Legs: Painted steel wire
• Crafting: Built using wooden forms around bamboo ribs, then paper is glued, dried, and folded flat for shipping—each marked with a sun-and-moon logo to prove authenticity.
What’s the lighting spec?
• Socket: E27
• Max wattage: 12 W LED (non-dimmable) or up to 40 W incandescent
• Colour temp: 2700 K (warm white)
• Cable: ~130–135 cm long, with a pull-step or inline switch
Where should I use it?
Ideal as a desk, bedside, or accent lamp in any indoor space (IP20 rated—indoor use only). Delivers a soft, ambient glow reminiscent of sunlight filtered through paper.
Care & assembly
• Assembly: Quick—legs slot into the shade; no tools needed
• Care: Gently dust with a feather duster. Avoid exposing to grease or oils (e.g., cooking vapours) as these stain the paper.
Warranty & delivery
Typically covered by a 10-year Vitra warranty
Lead time is around 6–8 weeks due to handcrafted production.
Should I buy authentic or a replica?
Buyers treasure owning an authentic Vitra Akari for its craftsmanship and legacy. Wellworking only recommend and sell genuine Akari lights.
WARRANTY CLAIMS
All warranties are automatically applied by Wellworking and there is no need to register your product with the manufacturer.
Please keep your proof of purchase safe (it's easier for us to locate your order with the invoice or web order number) and, in the unlikely event a fault occurs, contact us by emailing service@wellworking.co.uk and we will arrange a service visit or replacement.
As a certified B Corp we are committed to putting sustainability at the core of all the products and services we offer.
Our products are designed with quality and longevity in mind and this is reflected in their long warranties.
We are working with our suppliers to reduce packaging and limit the use of non-recyclable packing materials. We take away all the packaging when we deliver products and recycle as much as we can within our offices to reduce the waste that goes to landfill.