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Poul Henningsen

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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Creator: Poul Henningsen
Dealer: Almond & Co.
Poul Henningsen Pendant
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pendant lamp for Louis Poulsen - 4.5/4 with upper aluminum shade and 2 Lower glass rings.
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Glass

Poul Henningsen, PH 3/2 Table Lamp, Early Model
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A table lamp by Poul Henningsen with browned brass frame, socket cover and top, mounted with 3/2 patinated copper shade set. No switch on the frame. Stamped 'Pat. Appl.' (highly valu...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass, Copper

Orange Pendant Ph-4/3 by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A group of eight orange lacquered metal pendants by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Each pendant has 8' of cord.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Pair of Yellow PH 2/2 Pendents by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Yellow PH 2/2 pendents by Poul Henningsen A pair of PH 2/2 pendant lamps for Louis Poulsen. Brown bakelite fixtures with yellow frosted glass shades. There are some abras...
Category

1930s Danish Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Glass, Bakelite

Poul Henningsen Pair of Limited Edition Three-Arm Chandeliers
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of three-arm "PH Stammkrone" chandeliers by Poul Henningsen. Both featuring 2/1 opal glass shade sets and browned brass hardware. Designed in the 1950s, later limed edition pr...
Category

1950s Danish Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Poul Henningsen PH 4/3 Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 4/3 pendant for Louis Poulsen. Executed in a refined white painted metal frame. The clean look of the white surface offers a bold, understated look. The lamp illum...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 5 Pendant for Louis Poulsen in Orange
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 5 pendant for Louis Poulsen in orange. Poul Henningsen introduced his iconic PH 5 pendant light in 1958. Six decades later, the PH 5 remains the bestselling design in the Louis Poulsen's portfolio. The PH 5's painted metal shades brilliantly distribute light to create glare–free illumination. Executed in spun aluminium shades...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Aluminum

Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen PH 4/3 Pendant
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, pendant, model PH4/3, metal, Denmark, 1950s Iconic PH chandelier designed by Poul Henningsen. Consisting of three ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Rare Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2 Table Lamp, 1930
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Poul Henningsen. PH-3½/2 table lamp with original single-layer yellow painted/opal glass shade set on a browned brass stem and shade holde...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen 'Charlottenburg' Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, pendant model 'Charlottenburg', metal, Denmark, 1979. This lamp is based on a well-designed construction containing three white metal shades th...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen Pendant Model, Charlottenborg 1960s, Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in London, GB
The Charlottenborg pendant lamp is a famous piece of Danish design. Designed by Poul Henningsen for the Danish company Louis Poulsen aro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ Table Lamps for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ table lamps for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Poul Henning Sen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade syste...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Green
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Poul Henning Sen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade system...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Red
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Poul Henning Sen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade system...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Yellow
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Poul Henning Sen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade system...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in White
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Poul Henning Sen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade system...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
"Emperor" Suspension Chandelier by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
An adjustable height "Emperor" chandelier by Poul Henningsen. The cylindrical canopy has a suspending two height-adjusting cylinders of patinated brass connected by brown cloth cords...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen PH4/3 Table Lamp, Stampled "Pat. Appl"
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
PH4/3, table lamp with brass stand, contact box as well as top disc and screw, cast shade holder, original 4/3 white-lacquered copper shade set. Stamped pat. appl. (highly valued to ...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass, Copper

Poul Henningsen Double Ring Chandelier
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A double ring chandelier by Poul Henningsen. Features a browned brass frame, four shades of 2/2 yellow/matte glass with bakelite socket covers and wire holders. Stamped "PH-2/2" and ...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
PH 4/3 table lamp with brass frame, red painted copper shades inside with reflector painting. Stamped Pat. Appl. Manufactured by Louis Poulsen, 1927-1928.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass, Copper

  • Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
  • Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
  • Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
  • Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
H 21.3 in. Dm 15.7 in.
Poul Henningsen 4/4 Pendant
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pendant lamp by Poul Henningsen with red lacquered shades, a browned brass socket, and wire shade holders. Stamped, patented and P.H.4. Produced by Louis Poulson, circa 1928.
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Metal, Brass

  • Poul Henningsen 4/4 Pendant
  • Poul Henningsen 4/4 Pendant
  • Poul Henningsen 4/4 Pendant
  • Poul Henningsen 4/4 Pendant
H 15 in. Dm 16 in.
Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very rare copper hanging lamp with fixed ceiling rod by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen in 1926. The pendant has a copper socket cover, stem and canopy and is fitted with opal g...
Category

1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Copper

  • Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
  • Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
  • Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
  • Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
H 45 in. Dm 12 in. L 45 in.
Poul Henningsen, PH 4.5 / 3 Outdoor Lamp
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
PH 4.5 / 3 Outdoor Lamps with patinated copper. Designed in 1966. Produced by Louis Poulsen.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Copper

Figure Seven Floor Lamp by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A figure seven standard floor lamp by Poul Henningsen. Original PH 3/2 shade of matte amber colored glass. Bronze "S" curve base and neck with original wiring. Stamped bakelite socke...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Bronze

Poul Henningsen - Copper Plate lamp
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Plate lamp, made of copper, enameled copper, chrome-plated steel, nylon. Manufactured by Louis Poulsen
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Chrome, Copper, Steel

Poul Henningsen TrePH Table Lamp
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A limited edition glass table lamp by Poul Henningsen with browned brass stem and base. 3/2 opal glass shades. Originally produced for a limited period by Louis Poulsen for the 100th...
Category

1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass

Poul Henningsen, Pair of Sconces
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of brass and glass wall sconces by Poul Henningsen with the original glass.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen

Materials

Brass

  • Poul Henningsen, Pair of Sconces
  • Poul Henningsen, Pair of Sconces
  • Poul Henningsen, Pair of Sconces
  • Poul Henningsen, Pair of Sconces
H 6 in. W 8 in. D 14 in.

Poul Henningsen furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Furniture by Poul Henningsen are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and 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. In stock are 208 vintage editions of these items, while there are 325 modern editions to choose from as well. Many of Poul Henningsen's original furniture was created in Scandinavian Modern style in Europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you are looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Orrefors, Vilhelm Lauritzen and Louis Poulsen. Prices for Poul Henningsen furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. 1stDibs's price starts at $322 and tops out at $161,310, while pieces like these can sell for $3,017 on average.

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