Poul Henningsen table lamp

This is a rare and early example of the PH 4/3 table lamp designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark between 1927 and 1928. The lamp features the characteristic three-shade system developed by Henningsen to distribute light evenly and eliminate glare, a principle that defined his extensive collaboration with Louis Poulsen. The design demonstrates Henningsen’s precise understanding of light reflection and diffusion, resulting in a soft, even illumination that became a hallmark of modern Scandinavian lighting design.

The lamp is composed of a solid brass frame with a naturally aged patina and retains its original white opal glass shades. The layered shades are arranged in a graduated configuration, producing balanced downward and lateral light distribution. The brass surface shows minor wear consistent with age, and the patina has developed an appealing warm tone that enhances the lamp’s historical character. The upper brass plate is marked “PAT. APPL.” indicating this is from the first series of PH lamps produced before formal patent approval, a detail that underscores the model’s early manufacture and rarity.

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish designer, architect, and cultural critic whose pioneering work with light profoundly influenced 20th-century design. His collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in the 1920s and led to the development of the multi-shade system, which became an international symbol of functional and human-centered design. Louis Poulsen, founded in 1874, remains one of Denmark’s most respected lighting manufacturers, known for producing designs that merge sculptural form with technical precision.

This lamp represents the essence of early modernist Scandinavian craftsmanship, uniting rational design, refined materials, and exceptional light quality. It stands as an important historical piece within Henningsen’s early output and within the evolution of Danish industrial design during the interwar period.

Diameter 39 cm (15.35 inches), height 54 cm (21.26 inches).