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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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Creator: Poul Henningsen
Dealer: Almond & Co.
Poul Henningsen, PH 3/2 Table Lamp, Early Model
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

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. Priced individually.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Aluminum and Glass PH 4½-4 Pendant by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A PH 4½-4 pendant with a white-lacquered aluminum top shade and 2 white opal glass lower shades. Chromed metal socket cover.
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Straight Arm PH 4½/3 Copper Sconce by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A PH 4.5/3 outdoor sconce with a straight arm. The sconce is made from copper and has been restored so it is bright and shiny. The underside is painted white to reflect the light and...
Category

1960s Danish Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Copper

Curved Arm PH 4½/3 Copper Sconce by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A PH 4.5/3 outdoor sconce with a gently curved arm. The sconce is made from copper and has been restored so it is bright and shiny. The underside is painted white to reflect the ligh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Related Items
Table Lamp Model PH 4/3 By Poul Henningsen For Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Lejre, DK
PH 4/3 table lamp designed by Poul Henningsen and manufactured by Louis Poulsen. The lamp is with white laqcuered metal shades. This product will be inspected thoroughly at our prof...
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20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 3/2.5 Outdoor Wall Light for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3/2.5 outdoor wall light for Louis Poulsen. The design is based on Poul Henningsen's revolutionary reflective three-shade system, developed in 1925-1926, which di...
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21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

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Louis Poulsen PH 3½-2½ Glass Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
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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Poul Henningsen 'PH 4/3' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 4/3' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen Poul Henningsen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade system from late 1920s. Poul Henningsen design fro...
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21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Aluminum, Metal

“Kontrast” Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking “Kontrast” pendant lamp by Poul Henningsen. Lacquered white on the outside and orange red and purplish blue on the inside. Spreads an amazing...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

1930s Poul Henningsen Five-arm "Bombardment" Chandelier
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in London, GB
1930s Poul Henningsen Five-arm "Bombardment" Chandelier made by Louis Poulsen in the 1930s. Five-arm Bombardment chandelier with frame of patinated metal, canopy, base and socket hou...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Louis Poulsen PH 3/2 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in New York, NY
About This Product Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system during 1925/1926. The first lights using the system were designed for an exhibition in Paris. His work with Louis P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Louis Poulsen PH 5 Pendant Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Poul Henningsen PH 5 Pendant for Louis Poulsen in Orange
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
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 Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Poul Henningsen 'PH Hat' Wall or Ceiling Light for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH Hat' Wall or Ceiling Light for Louis Poulsen The 'PH Hat' wall or ceiling light was designed by Poul Henningsen in 1961 as a refined glare ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Steel

Large Poul Henningsen 'PH Wall' Darkly Patinated Outdoor Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Poul Henningsen 'PH Wall' Darkly Patinated Outdoor Lamp for Louis Poulsen The 'PH Wall' is part of the revolutionary three shade system developed by Pau...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Copper

Crazy Patinated Poul Henningsen Copper Wall Scone
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Munich, DE
I replaced the screws for new brass ones, but will add the old ones too.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Copper

Previously Available Items
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...
Category

1930s Danish Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Glass, Bakelite

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 Furniture

Materials

Copper

Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
Copper Pendant by Poul Henningsen
H 45 in Dm 12 in L 45 in
"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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Metal, 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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Copper

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
Poul Henningsen PH-4/3 Lamp
H 21.3 in Dm 15.7 in
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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 a...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Copper, Chrome, Steel

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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Sleek and elegant Louis Poulsen lights are a Danish company, founded in 1874. Originally, the company was a tool and electrical supplies company and when the founder died, a nephew, Louis, took over and moved the company to Nyhavn. In 2019, another move happened and the headquarters moved to Holmen, Copenhagen, which is where it is today. The company again turned directions and focused on lighting, winning raves and a serious following.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    To identify a vintage porcelain lamp, check the base for markings. You may find a date stamp or the manufacturer's name. Check the porcelain for signs of wear like minor scratches and blemishes. If a lamp is in flawless condition, it's possible that it was simply stored well, but it's more likely that the piece is a newer reproduction. A certified appraiser can be of assistance if online research isn't enough to make an identification. Shop a selection of vintage porcelain lamps on 1stDibs.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    To tell how old a lamp is by the cord, look at the plug. Antique lamps and older vintage lamps will often have plugs with prongs that are the same size, while more recent fixtures will feature polarized plugs, which have one large prong and one small prong. Antique lamps often feature exposed wires or fabric covers on their cords. You'll usually find PVC or plastic covers on newer lamps. Keep in mind that older lamps may have been rewired over the years, so the cord isn't always a reliable way to date a lamp. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can examine your lamp and use multiple factors to determine its age. Find a large collection of lamps on 1stDibs.

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