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Poul Henningsen Furniture

Danish, 1894-1967

The name Poul Henningsen is synonymous with the best and most innovative modern Scandinavian lamps and other lighting. The Danish designer created a signature vocabulary of fixtures with tiered and layered shades in sculptural arrangements that are at once naturalistic and geometric. 

Henningsen grew up in a town on the outskirts of Copenhagen and studied architecture at the Technical University of Denmark. He would become a noted art critic, journalist and screenwriter, but his first love was lighting design.

Henningsen’s childhood home was illuminated by oil lamps. When his family switched to electrified lighting, he was alarmed and repelled by the harsh glare cast by an incandescent bulb, and in his late teens he began conducting quasi-scientific experiments to measure which materials and methods best diffused or reflected light to give it a warm brightness. His work came to the attention of the lighting-fixtures firm Louis Poulsen, which sponsored the development of a prototype lamp. The design won a gold medal at the 1925 Paris Expositions Internationales des Arts Decóratifs et Industriels Modernes — from which the term Art Deco derives. The lamp, whose three-part shade is said to be inspired by the arrangement of a dinner plate atop a soup bowl atop a teacup, became the basis for Henningsen’s most successful design, the PH 4/3 desk lamp.

All told, Henningsen would design some 100 lighting fixtures in his career. Some of his most notable creations are hanging lamps, which include the Septima (1929), a pendant composed of seven graduated frosted-glass layers; the Spiral (1942), made of a single ribbon of enameled aluminum; and the Artichoke lamp (1958), whose 70 glass or metal fins in a staggered and graduated arrangement on a central steel frame resemble those of its namesake. The last is likely Henningsen’s masterwork and an icon of mid-20th-century design. Like all Henningsen lighting designs, it is striking, sculptural and — thanks to his insistence on the primacy of the quality of the light cast — superbly functional.

Find a collection of authentic Poul Henningsen table lamps, floor lamps and other lighting on 1stDibs.

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Period: 1940s
Creator: Poul Henningsen
Poul Henningsen 4/3 Table Lamp 1940s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Portland, OR
Lovely patinated brass table lamp by Poul Henningsen with lacquered copper top shade and yellow painted acid-stained glass lower shades. This example dates to the early 1940s. The to...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Poul Henningsen Table Lamp model 3/2, 5 manufactured by Louis Poulsen 1940’s
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Valby, 84
Poul Henningsen Table Lamp model 3/2,5 manufactured by Louis Poulsen 1940’s, the lamps frame has a white Bakelite bulb socket and switch housing and a darke...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Zinc

Vintage Table Lamp Brass "PH-Lamp" by PH / Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen, 1940s
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Stunning original production PH-table lamp model "3,5/2" by Poul Henningsen manufactured at Louis Poulsen, Copenhagen in the 1940s. The lamp base is made from patinated brass and white bakelite parts. The shades are all original and unrestored. The upper shade is made from yellow lacquered metal with a wonderful patina while the middle and lower are made from frosted matte glass which gives a wonderful light distribution. A beautiful and rare example of the world famous lamp icon. Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system back in 1925-1926. The first lights using the system were designed by PH in cooperation with Louis Poulsen for an exhibition in Paris. PH sought to create glare-free light, direct light where it was most needed, and create soft shadows, using incandescent bulbs as a light source. PH 3/2 Table is a member of the three-shade family. Thus PH did not just design a light, but an entire system – around a thousand different models have been produced over the years. PH was the first person to pursue a scientific approach to light and use the logarithmic spiral as a basis. By using a design based on the logarithmic spiral he achieved even distribution of light over the entire curve of the shade. This even light distribution, together with the diffuse reflection through the glass, made it possible to control glare and shadow. Each shade reduces the amount of light equally, due to their distance from the light source. The PH light model numbers refer to the shade size. Each top shade had a corresponding set of middle and lower shades. In the ‘pure’ models, such as the 2/2, the top shade has a size of about 20 cm, with corresponding lower shades. PH 3/2 Table consists of an app. 30 cm top shade, but uses lower shades from the 2/2 model. These ‘hybrid’ models were introduced due to the desire to hang the pendants at lower heights. The system was also used for wall, table and floor lamps. This specific example has a "3,5" top shade (33,7 cm.) and a "2" middle and lower shade making it a "3,5/2 PH lamp".
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen "Tivoli" Lamp
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen "Tivoli" lamp designed in 1949 and produced by Louis Poulsen. These Lamps were designed and only made for the Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen and never put into producti...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen Wall Light
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Copper patinated wall light w/large shade.
Category

1940s Danish Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Copper

Related Items
Pendant Lamp Designed by Poul Henningsen. Denmark, Louis Poulsen, 2012
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The Artichoke lamp with 72 polished stainless steel leaves with wet painted inner side on a chromed plated steel frame. Vintage lamp in very good condition. ...
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“Kontrast” Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen
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Striking “Kontrast” pendant lamp by Poul Henningsen. Lacquered white on the outside and orange red and purplish blue on the inside. Spreads an amazing...
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Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen Pendant Lamp
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Poul Henningsen Opaline Glass PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen opaline glass PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen. Executed in white opal glass and a chrome or black metallised frame. The Industrial look of the dark metallised s...
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Poul Henningsen PH 3/2.5 Outdoor Wall Light for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3-2/5 outdoor wall light for Louis Poulsen. Based on Poul Henningsen's revolutionary reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downward. The light features spun black powder coated stainless steel shades with an aluminium mounting plate and cover with a matte white painted interior surface which diffuses the light comfortably. Price is per item. UL listed for wet locations. Mounts directly over a 4" octagonal junction box. The PH 3-2.5 pendant light is part of the three shade system developed by Paul Henningsen...
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Poul Henningsen Brass and Glass PH 3 1/2 -2 1/2 Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen brass and glass PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen. Executed in white opal glass and a brass, chrome or black metallized frame...
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Poul Henningsen PH Hat Wall or Ceiling Light for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH Hat wall or ceiling light for Louis Poulsen. Designed by Henningsen in 1961 as a refined glare free lighting solution for bedrooms and other ...
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Large Poul Henningsen 'PH Wall' Outdoor Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Verdigris
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Poul Henningsen 'PH Wall' outdoor lamp for Louis Poulsen in verdigris. The PH Wall is part of the revolutionary three shade system developed by Paul Henn...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Copper

Poul Henningsen Wall Lamp Model PH-1/1 by Louis Poulsen in Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare wall lamp model PH-1/1 designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark.
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early Poul Henningsen Copper Table Lamp, 1930s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Henningsen & Louis Poulsen, Mid-century Modern design This is the iconic Poul Henningsen (PH 4/3) table lamp with original copper shades. Stand, switch and socket house of bro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Copper

Early Poul Henningsen Copper Table Lamp, 1930s
Early Poul Henningsen Copper Table Lamp, 1930s
H 21.26 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Louis Poulsen PH 5 Pendant Light by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Poul Henningsen was born in Copenhagen by the famous Danish actress Agnes Henningsen. He never graduated as an architect, but studied at The Technical School at Frederiksberg, Denmar...
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Louis Poulsen PH5 Mini Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Poul Henningsen was born in Copenhagen by the famous Danish actress Agnes Henningsen. He never graduated as an architect, but studied at The Technical School at Frederiksberg, Denmar...
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21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Metal

Previously Available Items
Poul Henningsen PH 3, 5/3 manufactured by Louis Poulsen 1940’s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Valby, 84
Rare Poul Henningsen PH 3,5/3 pendant with a top shade of white lacquered zinc and a middle and bottom shade in two layer opal glass and a top of beautiful natural patinaed brass. Th...
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Poul Henningsen Pianette for Andreas Christensen, Flame Birch, Fully Restored
By Poul Henningsen, Andreas Christensen
Located in Wrocław, Poland
The PH Pianette was designed by famous Danish designer Poul Henningsen in 1935. This particular one was manufactured by Andreas Christensen manufacture. Th...
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1940s Danish Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Birch

Poul Henningsen PH 2/1 Pendant Produced by Louis Poulsen, 1940’s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Valby, 84
Rare Poul Henningsen PH 2/1 pendant produced by Louis Poulsen in the 1940’s, the lamp will be delivered newly rewired in wished length of wire. T...
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Brass

Poul Henningsen, PH 3½-2 Table Lamp, 1940s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) for Louis Poulsen PH 3½-2 table lamp with socket housing of brass / metal, wire shade holders mounted w / shade set of green-painted zinc. 1940s. Meas...
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Brass, Metal

Poul Henningsen 2/1 Pendant with Glass Shades, 1940s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
PH-2/1. Pendant with glass shades. Designed by Poul Henningsen and by Louis Poulsen, 1940s. Great original condition.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Glass, Bakelite

Poul Henningsen 'PH 2/2' Pendant Light
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding PH-2 pendant light by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, opal glass on bakelite socket, signed or stamped at socket, patented PH-2.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen, Pair of 4/4 Pendant Lamps, Nickel-Plated Metal, Glass, 1940s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of 1940s ceiling lamps or pendants designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen. Nickel-plated metal and 4/4 type shades of opaq...
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen 3.5/2 Table Lamp from the 1940s Made by Louis Poulsen of Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Søborg, DK
Poul Henningsen 3.5/2 table lamp from the 1940s made by Louis Poulsen of Denmark. Original hand blown opaline glass shades made by Louis Poulsen Brass and Bakelite stem and with a ...
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1940s Danish Bauhaus Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Iron, Brass

Piano Lamp PH 2/1 Designed by Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen, 1980s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Piano lamp PH 2/1 designed by Poul Henningsen in 1943 and manufactured by Louis Poulsen in the 1980s. The shades are of white opaline glass and the frame of chrome-plated metal.
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Piano Lamp Ph 2/1 Designed by Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen, 1980s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Piano lamp PH 2/1 designed by Poul Henningsen in 1943 and manufactured by Louis Poulsen in the 1980s. The shades are of white opaline glass and the frame of chrome-plated metal.
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Piano Lamp PH 2/1 Designed by Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen, 1980s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Piano lamp PH 2/1 designed by Poul Henningsen in 1943 and manufactured by Louis Poulsen in the 1980s. The shades are of white opaline glass and the frame of chrome-plated metal.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Chrome

PH 2/1 Stem Fitting Designed by Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen, 1997
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
The PH 2/1 stem fitting is a lighting fixture designed by the renowned Danish architect and designer Poul Henningsen (often referred to as PH) and manufactured by the lighting compan...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Poul Henningsen furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Poul Henningsen furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 244 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 483 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Poul Henningsen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Louis Poulsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen, and Fog & Mørup. Prices for Poul Henningsen furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $287 and can go as high as $332,864, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,283.
Questions About Poul Henningsen Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    Poul Henningsen is famous for designing innovative modern Scandinavian lamps and other lighting. The Danish designer created a signature vocabulary of fixtures with tiered and layered shades in sculptural arrangements that are at once naturalistic and geometric. Some of his most iconic pieces include the Spiral, made of a single ribbon of enameled aluminum, and the Artichoke lamp, whose 70 glass or metal fins in a staggered and graduated arrangement on a central steel frame resemble those of its namesake. Find a collection of Poul Henningsen lighting on 1stDibs.

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