Poul Henningsen table lamp

This is a rare early 1930s example of the PH-2/2 table lamp, often referred to by the nickname “The Question Mark” due to its distinctly curved brass arm. Designed by Danish lighting pioneer Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark, this lamp embodies Henningsen’s foundational principles of glare-free illumination and layered light diffusion.

The construction features a patinated brass frame with an elegantly arched silhouette. The base is circular and relatively low in profile, also in brass with visible signs of oxidation and wear consistent with its age, contributing to the desirable original patina. The central stem supports the light housing with a swivel joint that allows for minor adjustments. The lamp is fitted with the original three-part shade set, comprising a warm amber-colored top glass shade and two opaline glass diffusers below. This tiered shade arrangement reflects Henningsen’s signature three-shade system, which was meticulously calculated to distribute light evenly while minimizing glare.

The lamp shows good vintage condition with clear evidence of age and use. There is some oxidation and tarnishing to the brass, particularly on the base and stem, along with minor marks and variations in surface tone. The glass shades are intact, with expected wear but no structural damage, and retain their original fittings. The piece is stamped “Patented” on the lamp holder, aligning with early production models.

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was one of Denmark’s most influential lighting designers and a central figure in the modernist movement. He developed his multi-shade system in collaboration with Louis Poulsen starting in the 1920s, seeking to replicate the soft glow of gaslight through electric lighting. Louis Poulsen, founded in 1874, became internationally recognized for producing architecturally oriented lighting, particularly through its long-standing collaboration with Henningsen.

The PH-2/2 “Question Mark” table lamp exemplifies Danish modernism in its formative years, combining functional lighting innovation with sculptural elegance. Its graceful asymmetry and optical logic make it both an early technical experiment and a design object of rare aesthetic refinement.

Dimensions are approximately 20 cm wide by 26 cm deep and 42 cm high, corresponding to 7.9 inches in width, 10.2 inches in depth, and 16.5 inches in height.