Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was an influential Danish designer and cultural figure, best known for his groundbreaking work in lighting design. His enduring legacy is founded on the "PH Lamp" series, introduced in 1925, which revolutionized the way light is diffused in interiors. Henningsen's meticulous attention to the quality of light and its effects on surroundings led to the creation of the iconic "Artichoke Lamp" (1958), a masterpiece of design that remains a symbol of sophistication and innovation.

Louis Poulsen

Lighting

Large 'Spiral' Ceiling Lamp

History:
This lamp was commissioned for the Handelsbanken in Copenhagen when it was refurbished in 1970’s.

Literature: 
Magazine, 'LP & CO NYT', December 1981, np.

Designed 1957. 
Copper, painted copper, steel.

Pair of 'PH Louvre' Ceiling Lights

Literature: “Light Years Ahead”, ill. p. 269 and p. 271.

Model PH 4/3, designed 1927, this example executed 1930s.
Patinated brass, black bakélite, Green/white copper top shade, single layer opatline glass middle shade, frosted glass bottom shade.
Stamped 'PH - 4 PATENTED'.

Table Lamp 'PH 4/3'

Literature: 
Jørstian, Tina, Nielsen, Poul Erik Munk, 'Light Years Ahead. The Story of the PH Lamp', L. Poulsen (Denmark) 1994, p. 147, 200, 216.

Model no. 'PH 2/2', this example manufactured in 1930s. 
Amber coloured glass, brass.
Stamped to the stem 'PH-2' and 'Patented'.

'Emperor' Chandelier

Literature:
Jørstian Tina, Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, 'Light Years Ahead. The Story of the PH Lamp', Louis Poulsen, p. 147, 194.

Model 'PH-3/2 Akademi'. 
Nickel plated metal, bakelite, frosted glass shades.

Pair of PH-3/2 Wall Lamps

Made approx. 1930s by a Danish cabinetmaker.
Pine, lacquered beech.

Provenance: 
Gifted by Poul Henningsen to his close friends Elias Bredsdorff and Marlie Brande in the 1930s. Hence by descent to their son, Jan Bredsdorff. Later gifted to his friend, Ghita Nørby, who passed it on to her son, Giacomo Campeotto.

Furniture

Unique Dining Table

History:
The idea behind the hexagonal and three-legged design was that several tables could be placed next to each other, without the table legs getting in the way of the people seated at the tables. Poul Henningsen designed this one table and had it produced by a cabinetmaker with the intention of putting it into serial production. This never happened though, and this is thus the only piece ever made.

'House of the Future' Pendant Lamp

History:
Designed in 1959 exclusively for 'The House of the Day after Tomorrow' exhibition, with only around 15 lamps ever produced. Reminiscent of the Artichoke Lamp in the Langelinie Pavilion. Lighting engineering based on color concept, based on the observation that the red end of the light spectrum reproduced texture better than the colder color rays.

Literature:
Jorstian, Tina, Erik Munk Nielsen, Poul, 'Light Year Ahead: The story of the PH lamp', L. Poulsen (Denmark) 1994, p.298.

Copper. 
Maker's mark: 'PATENTED P.H.-4'.

'PH 4½/4' Ceiling Lamp

Literature
Jørstian, Tina, Munk Nielsen, Poul Erik, 'Taend, PH lampens historie', Gyldendal (Denmark) 1994, pp 166-176.

Mat polished shades, part clear glass, white metal fixture. Adjustable height.

'Septima Five' Light

History:
Beyond the original PH Lamps, Poul Henningsen worked on the Septima between 1927 and 1931. Here again, he cloaked the bulb in several layers that simultaneously diffuse and reflect light to create a warm and harmonious ambiance. The commercial and cultural potential of the Septima was never fully realized, and very few examples were produced. First came the model with clear glass shades, in 1929 the model with amber coloured shades was introduced and in 1930-31 came the one with pink shades. The smaller version 'Septima 4' was introduced in 1931. On the eve of World War II, Louis Poulsen ceased production due to material shortages. 

Literature:
Tina Jørstian, Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, 'TAEND! PH lampens historie', Gyldendal (Denmark) 1994, pp. 237-239.

Brass, perforated metal top shade, single layer opaline glass.

Rare 'PH 5/4' Ceiling Lamp

History:
Four of these perforated PH 5/4 pendant were made for the St. Peter's chapel in Tappernøje, Denmark. They were made to order by Louis Poulsen. The design avoids the large fragile O-5 glass shades, but the material still provides diffused upwards light.

Model PH 5/3. Designed 1927. 
Patinated metal, cast iron, patinated brass, matt yellow glass shades.  

Adjustable height: 120-175 cm

Floor lamp

Literature: 
Jorstian, Tina, Munk Nielsen, Paul Erik, 'Light Years Ahead: The Story of the PH Lamp', Louis Poulsen (Denmark) 1994, p. 152. (variation)

Designed 1927.
Brass base, black bakélite and matt yellow glass shades.
Stamped 'PH - 4 PATENTED'.

Literature: 
Jørstian Tina, Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, 'Light Years Ahead. The Story of the PH Lamp', Louis Poulsen, p. 147, 200, 216.

Table Lamp PH 4/3

Nickel plated bass and stem. Copper shades. Stamped 'PH-4 PATENTED'

Table Lamp 4/3

Single layer opaline glass. Bronze patinated brass. Stamped 'PAT. APPL'

PH-3/2 'American' Table Lamp

Executed c. 1928-1930.
Painted copper, opal glass, nickel plated metal.
Socket housing impressed 'PAT. APPL'.

Ceiling Light with Model no. PH 4/4 Shades

Copper shades. Nickel fitting. Stamped PH- 6 Patented

PH 6/5 Copper Ceiling Lamp

The final shape of the Tennis lamp was the result of a series of tests Poul Henningsen carried out with tennis player Einar Middleboe. The lamps were installed in the Københavns Boldklubs indoor tennis court.

Literature: 
Taend! PH Lampens Histoire, Gyldendal, pages 230 to 233. 

Provenance: 
Collection Louis Poulsen

PH Tennis Lamp

Aluminium, brass, copper. Single lamp holder.

One of only five lamps produced for the Headquarters Assembly Hall, Danish Consumers Cooperative Society, Albertslund, Denmark.

Produced in limited quantities for special commissions.  The Spiral was first presented at the Artists' Autumn Exhibition in 1942. Literature: "Light Years Ahead". Ill. and described p. 266 - 267 .The lamp was designed for the main hall in the University of Aarhus. "The shape of the lamp is geometric intended so that all exposed surfaces of the spiral was affected by light in the same angle and reflecting it out into the space under the same conditions". The spiral-shaped shade, looks like it is made in one long stroke, which was extremely difficult. 

Literature
Tina Jørstian and Poul Eric Munk Nielsen, eds., Light Years Ahead, The Story of the PH Lamp, Copenhagen, 1994, p. 268
Erik Steffensen, Poul Henningsen, Denmark, 2005, p. 58
Tobias Hoffmann, 'Nordic Design; The Response to the Bauhaus', catalogue, Bröhan Museum, 2019, p.185.

Exhibition: 
'Nordic Design; The Response to the Bauhaus', Bröhan Museum, Berlin, 2019/2020.

'Spiral' Ceiling Lamp

Painted metal, chromium-plated metal, copper.

Early 'Artichoke' Ceiling Lamp

Patinated brass with internally frosted amber shades. 
Lampholder impressed 'PATENTED / P.H.-2

The earliest examples of the model were produced with metal socket holders in 1931, produced thereafter with Bakelite socket holders. The flanged switch was also used on early examples, replaced with a flat ended switch in later examples.

Early Table lamp with Model PH 2/2 Shades

Copper.

Literature:
Tina Jørstian & Poul Erik M. Nielsen ‘Light Years Ahead – The story of the PH lamp’, Louis Poulsen 1994, pp. 272-275

Early 'PH-5' Ceiling Lamp

Opal glass with partially blue tinted interiors, nickel plated metal.
Impressed 'PH-4' with patent number to shade mount.
Henningsen was known to greatly experiment with different shade colours for his PH lamps. One of these was a special 'daylight' shade, used in special circumstances when it was important to be able to distinguish between the colours.

Rare Ceiling Light with Daylight PH 4 shades.

Chrome metal base, black bakélite and matt yellow glass shades.

Literature: Jørstian Tina, Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, Light Years Ahead. The Story of the PH Lamp, Louis Poulsen, Copenhague, 1994. Modèle similaire reproduit p. 147, 200, 216.

Original matted glass shades. Nickel base and fitment.

Poul Henningsen

1894-1967