Poul Henningsen ceiling lamp
This very rare and early ceiling lamp, model PH-4/4, was designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark between 1927 and 1928. It bears the “PAT. APPL.” marking, indicating production before the official patent was granted, placing it among the earliest and most historically significant examples of Henningsen’s pioneering lighting designs.
The lamp’s structure features a nickel-plated bayonet socket housing and canopy, paired with a porcelain socket and a distinctive combination of glass and copper shades. Its multi-shade system embodies Henningsen’s signature design philosophy aimed at achieving glare-free illumination by layering shades to carefully control light distribution. The outermost reflector is copper, showing a natural patina developed over time, while the inner shades are crafted from amber-colored glass, contributing to a warm, diffused light quality characteristic of his work.
Poul Henningsen was a visionary Danish designer and lighting theorist, widely celebrated for his collaboration with Louis Poulsen in creating lamps that combined scientific lighting principles with aesthetic elegance. The PH series remains foundational in Scandinavian modernism and continues to influence lighting design worldwide.
This lamp is preserved in original condition, showing age-appropriate wear. The metal surfaces exhibit oxidation and patina, especially on the canopy and edges of the copper shade, while the glass elements display minor surface wear consistent with their long history.
The lamp measures 40 cm in diameter and 36 cm in height (15.7 by 14.2 inches), with an adjustable total drop of up to 96 cm (37.8 inches). It stands as a rare and important artifact of early modernist lighting, highly prized among collectors of Scandinavian design.
Dimensions (cm) | H: 36 / ⌀: 40 Overall height: H: 96 |
Producer | Louis Poulsen |
Color | Amber |
Decade | 1920s |
Country | Denmark |
Style | Danish modern, Scandinavian Modern |
Material | Copper, Glass, Nickel plated metal |
Designed in | 1920s |
Item Number | 141302 |
Poul Henningsen
Poul Henningsen (1894 – 1967) was born on September 9, 1894, in Ordrup, Denmark, and became one of the most celebrated figures in Danish design history. Known primarily for his innovative work in lighting design, Henningsen transformed the w...
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