Poul Henningsen ceiling lamp

The pendant features a wide, shallow upper shade finished in dark green, with a light-colored reflective underside. Beneath it, a smaller curved shade in warm amber-brown surrounds a cylindrical glass diffuser in a golden-yellow tone. The concentric arrangement of the shades creates a carefully controlled distribution of light, directing illumination downward while reflecting a portion of the light onto the underside of the upper shade. The construction reduces direct glare and produces a warm, diffused illumination. The lamp is suspended from a brown textile-covered cord, with a cylindrical copper-toned metal housing and matching fittings displaying a naturally developed patina.

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish architect, designer, writer, and cultural critic whose work fundamentally influenced twentieth-century lighting design. Beginning in the 1920s, he developed a series of lamps based on scientific studies of light reflection, glare reduction, and the relationship between artificial illumination and human perception. His collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1924 and resulted in the introduction of the PH lighting system, which became one of the defining achievements of Danish functionalist design. Rather than treating the lampshade as a purely decorative element, Henningsen approached its construction as an optical system in which each component served a specific purpose.

Louis Poulsen, established in Copenhagen in 1874, became closely associated with the development of modern Danish lighting through its long-standing collaboration with Henningsen. During the late 1920s, the manufacturer produced several experimental and early variations of his multi-shade constructions, using different materials, surface treatments, and proportions to refine the quality and direction of light. These early designs preceded the later standardized PH models and illustrate the technical experimentation that characterized the company’s lighting production during the interwar period.

The lamp remains in vintage condition, with visible signs of age and use throughout. The dark green upper shade shows minor surface wear and losses along the edges, while the reflective underside displays discoloration, oxidation, and areas of surface deterioration. The metal fittings have developed a pronounced patina with scratches and variations in tone. The central glass component has localized damage but no cracks, and one of the screws securing the glass has been replaced. These details are consistent with the lamp’s considerable age and history of use.

The pendant measures 52 cm (20.47 inches) in diameter and 42 cm (16.54 inches) in height. The overall suspended height is approximately 125 cm (49.21 inches) and can be adjusted through the suspension cord.