Poul Henningsen ceiling lamp

This very rare PH-2/2 “Butterfly” ceiling lamp was designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark. The present example dates to the early production period, manufactured circa 1931–1934, and features the characteristic three-light arrangement suspended within a sculptural wire framework. The construction combines patinated brass components with layered glass shades, resulting in a warm and technically controlled light distribution typical of Henningsen’s pioneering lighting philosophy.

The lamp is built around a central ceiling canopy and a suspended structural frame of darkened metal rods, forming an open, almost architectural cage that supports three individual lamp heads. Each light point is fitted with a multi-part shade system in amber-colored glass, consisting of a wide upper disc combined with inner elements that shield the light source and guide illumination downward and outward. The lower bowls are executed in matte glass, working as diffusers to soften the light output and reduce glare. The shade fittings are stamped “Patented” and marked “PH-2”, confirming the early production details and the original PH system components.

Poul Henningsen is widely regarded as one of the most influential lighting designers of the 20th century, and his development of the PH multi-shade system represents a decisive shift toward scientifically informed lighting design. By combining reflective and shielding surfaces in carefully calculated proportions, Henningsen’s fixtures were engineered to create comfortable, indirect illumination with minimal glare. The PH series became central to Danish modern lighting, and the early variants with colored glass elements and complex suspension structures are among the most sought-after and historically significant examples.

Louis Poulsen played a crucial role in realizing and producing Henningsen’s designs, developing specialized manufacturing techniques to ensure consistent optical performance and long-term durability. Early Louis Poulsen PH fixtures from the 1930s are comparatively scarce, and they represent an important formative phase in Scandinavian lighting history, where functionalist ideals were balanced with decorative material qualities such as brass and tinted glass.

The lamp is in good vintage condition with clear signs of age and use. The brass elements show natural patina and surface variation, and the glass shades display minor nicks consistent with careful long-term use. These characteristics are typical for early 1930s lighting fixtures and do not detract from the lamp’s structural integrity or visual coherence.

Dimensions: 55 cm diameter and 80 cm height (21.7 in diameter and 31.5 in height).