Poul Henningsen ceiling lamp

This is a rare ceiling lamp, model PH-5/5, designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark during the 1930s. The lamp is constructed from patinated brass and layered opaline glass, marked “Patented” with a secondary marking “P.H.-5300” which aligns with early iterations of Henningsen’s systematic approach to glare-free illumination.

The lamp features Henningsen’s signature three-shade system, comprised of concentric diffusing elements calculated to distribute light evenly without direct glare. The configuration includes a wide, shallow top shade, a gently curved intermediate shade, and a cylindrical lower diffuser. All three elements are executed in opaline white glass, creating a softly graduated light effect when illuminated. The central stem and canopy are in brass with a naturally aged patina, including visible surface wear and oxidation consistent with its early manufacture date.

The fixture is suspended from a cloth-covered cord with a cylindrical brass drop and ceiling canopy. The entire assembly presents both an industrial clarity and a sculptural elegance, adhering to Henningsen’s rigorous lighting philosophy while maintaining a poetic formal character. The lamp shows signs of vintage use, including light scuffs and tonal variations to the brass and glass surfaces, but remains in good, authentic condition.

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish architect, critic, and pioneering lighting designer. His work with Louis Poulsen, beginning in the 1920s, revolutionized artificial lighting in modern architecture. The PH system, developed through geometric and scientific analysis of reflection and glare, offered a highly controlled and visually comforting solution to electric light. Louis Poulsen, founded in 1874, became a leading producer of modern lighting through this collaboration, combining craft and technology.

This ceiling lamp represents the Scandinavian functionalist aesthetic at its height, merging technical refinement with spatial warmth. Its historic significance, early production date, and intact multi-shade design make it a rare and architecturally important lighting object.

The dimensions are approximately 50 cm in diameter and 105 cm in height, corresponding to 19.7 inches in diameter and 41.3 inches in height.