Poul Henningsen ceiling lamp

This ceiling lamp is the PH-4/4 model designed by Poul Henningsen and manufactured in the 1930s by Louis Poulsen. The lamp consists of a browned brass bayonet socket housing and three layered yellow lacquered opaline glass shades. The construction follows Henningsen’s principle of layered reflectors, designed to direct light downward while eliminating glare, a system he developed in the 1920s and refined across multiple PH models. The warm yellow finish on the glass shades emphasizes the soft, atmospheric light diffusion characteristic of his designs.

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was one of Denmark’s most influential designers, known for his pioneering work in lighting. His collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1924 and resulted in some of the most iconic lighting designs of the 20th century. Henningsen’s PH system, based on a logarithmic spiral, sought to provide uniform, glare-free illumination by layering shades in carefully calculated proportions. The PH-4/4 model was part of this development, offering a wider diameter suitable for dining tables and larger interiors. While many later PH lamps adopted metal shades, earlier examples like this one in glass are especially valued for their luminous quality.

Louis Poulsen, established in Copenhagen in 1874, became internationally renowned through its collaboration with Henningsen. The company’s philosophy of combining design and function to create atmospheric, human-centered lighting remains central to its identity. Lamps like the PH-4/4 exemplify the manufacturer’s commitment to craftsmanship and technical precision during the interwar years.

This lamp measures 40 cm in diameter and 38 cm in height to the cord (15.7 in diameter, 15 in height). The cord length is adjustable. The condition is good, with visible signs of use and patina on the socket and shades, consistent with its age and original materials. The lacquered surfaces show natural wear, adding to the authenticity and historical character of the piece.