Poul Henningsen ceiling lamp

This exceptionally rare ceiling lamp, model PH-Septima 5, was designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark during the 1930s. It is one of the most iconic and technically sophisticated pieces of early Danish modern lighting design. The Septima was conceived as an evolution of Henningsen’s multi-shade system, developed to achieve glare-free illumination and perfect light diffusion through a refined interplay of layered glass.

The lamp consists of seven concentric shades made of hand-blown amber glass with alternating clear and frosted segments, creating a rhythmic transparency that softens and filters the light. When illuminated, the lamp produces a warm, atmospheric glow with subtle tonal gradations that reveal the precision of its engineering. The nickel-plated metal suspension provides structural contrast to the delicate glass elements while emphasizing the lamp’s architectural geometry.

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was one of Denmark’s most influential lighting designers and a central figure in the development of functionalist design. His collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in the 1920s and resulted in a series of lamps that combined scientific principles of light diffusion with poetic aesthetics. The Septima represents one of his most advanced explorations of layered light, and only a limited number of original examples were produced before World War II due to material constraints.

This example remains in good vintage condition, with minor wear consistent with age and small nicks on the glass edges. The original amber tone of the glass has developed a rich patina, enhancing the lamp’s character and authenticity. It stands as a remarkable testament to early Scandinavian modernism, where craftsmanship, material innovation, and visual balance were perfectly integrated.

Diameter 50 cm (19.7 inches), height 120 cm (47.2 inches).