Poul Henningsen table lamp

This rare and early table lamp is the PH-4/3 model, designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark between 1927 and 1928. The lamp bears the stamp “PAT. APPL.,” indicating its early production period, a time when Henningsen’s revolutionary three-shade system was being patented and refined. The PH system was developed to control glare while creating soft, evenly distributed light, and it remains one of the most influential contributions to Scandinavian lighting design.

The lamp is constructed from brass with its original copper shades finished in a deep green lacquer on the exterior and white lacquer on the interior. The characteristic tiered shade structure consists of a wide upper reflector with two progressively smaller shades beneath, producing a balanced distribution of both direct and diffuse light. The surfaces show patina, consistent with age, alongside visible traces of use, which emphasize the authenticity and historical presence of the piece.

Poul Henningsen, a Danish architect and designer, worked extensively with Louis Poulsen from the mid-1920s onwards, and his lighting concepts helped define modern Scandinavian design language. His approach, which combined functionalist ideals with aesthetic refinement, made the PH lamps central to both domestic interiors and public spaces.

This lamp stands as a representative of early modern Scandinavian design, merging industrial materials such as copper and brass with carefully considered proportions and lighting technology. Its combination of functionality and elegance reflects the ethos of mid-century design, while its preserved lacquer and patina connect it directly to its late 1920s origins.

Diameter 41.5 cm (16.3 in), height 52 cm (20.5 in)