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.
Poul Henningsen Hanging Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Antwerp, BE
A vintage PH5 hanging lamp designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen. First manufactured in 1957 for Louis Poulsen, this striking vintage PH5 Pend...
Aluminum
$610Sale Price|28% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 18.9 in
1958, Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, PH5 Pendant Light
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Metal
Poul Henningsen PH Septima Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen PH Septima pendant for Louis Poulsen. Designed in 1928, the PH Septima is regarded as one of Poul Henningsen’s most refined pendants. Based ...
Glass
Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen 'Louvre' Ceiling Light
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 'Louvre' pendant, coated aluminum, chrome, metal, Denmark, design 1957, production 1960s First designed i...
Aluminum, Chrome, Metal
$3,682
H 8.63 in Dm 12.88 in
Poul Henningsen Pendant Lamp Model PH 3½-3 Limited Edition for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Lejre, DK
PH 3½-3 pendant designed by Poul Henningsen and released as a Limited Edition in 2017 by Louis Poulsen. The lamp features amber-coloured glass shades, creating a warm and atmospheric...
Metal
PH 2/2 Pendant by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PH 2/2 Pendant by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark, 1930s This PH 2/2 pendant, designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark, and produced in the 1930s, is an ear...
Brass
Poul Henningsen PH-2/2 Pendant – Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Egå, DK
Poul Henningsen PH-2/2 Lamp – Louis Poulsen Rare Poul Henningsen PH-2/2 lamp, stamped “PATENTED PH-2”, produced by Louis Poulsen. This elegant model features opal single layer shades...
Glass, Bakelite
Artichoke Hanging lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 2000s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Brussels, BE
Artichoke Hanging lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 2000s
Metal
$1,024 / item
H 11.03 in Dm 17.72 in
1970s PH 4 1/2-4 Metal Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Knebel, DK
This pendant lamp, model 117077 (PH 4 1/2-4 Metal), was designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen. The model is no longer in production in this size. The pendant lamp is in a ve...
Metal
Poul Henningsen Kontrast Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Vienna, AT
Aluminum lacquered white/orange and chromed parts with black lacquered brass fittings. PH kontrast or snowball designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958-1962 and manufactured by Louis Poulsen. Literature: Light Years Ahead...
Aluminum, Steel
PH 5 Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark, 1958
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
The iconic PH 5 pendant lamp was designed by Poul Henningsen and introduced in 1958 as part of his lifelong pursuit of creating perfectly glare-free lighting. Produced by Louis Pouls...
Metal
Poul Henningsen PH 5-4½ Pendant Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 5-4½ Pendant Lamp for Louis Poulsen. This architecturally versatile four-shade system was originally designed by Poul Henningsen in 1931, then redesigned in 1979 ...
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage Poul HENNINGSEN PH 5 Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Vintage Poul HENNINGSEN PH 5 Pendant for Louis Poulsen.
Metal
Poul Henningsen PH 5 Brass Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 5 brass pendant for Louis Poulsen. Poul Henningsen introduced his iconic PH 5 pendant light in 1958. Today, the PH 5 remains the bestsel...
Brass, Aluminum
“Tallerken” Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Brescia, IT
Copper pendant lamp with a system of concentric diffusers and white-lacquered interior surfaces. "Tallerken" model by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark. Designed by Poul He...
Copper
Poul Henningsen PH 5 Copper Pendant for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 5 copper pendant for Louis Poulsen. Poul Henningsen introduced his iconic PH 5 pendant light in 1958. To celebrate, Louis Poulsen is pu...
Copper, Aluminum
Sold
H 35.44 in Dm 21.66 in
Ceiling Lamp in Yellow Metal, Brass and Opaline Glass by Poul Henningsen, 1930’s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Yellow Lacquered Metal, Brass and Opaline Glass by Poul Henningsen, 1930’s Additional Information: Material: Yellow lacquered metal, brass and opaline glass Style: M...
Brass
Poul Henningsen Copper Wall Lamps for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Poul Henningsen design copper wall lamps, model 4,5 /3, manufactured by Louis Poulsen. Stunning patina They were originally meant for outdoors, I'...
Copper
Sold
H 15.56 in Dm 12.8 in
Poul Henningsen, 4/4 Rare Brass Pendant White Frosted Shades, Pat Appl, ca. 1926
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Poul Henningsen (1894 Ordrup Denmark - 1967) Extremely Rare 4/4 Pendant White frosted shades Brass socket holder; metal frame, stamped: PAT APPL. Manufactured by Louis Poulsen, Denmark, Circa 1926 All original, early production. Complete with under shade. Flush mounted fixture. This very early, metal frame was the earliest rendition of the later, more malleable wire frame PH designed for his patented, 3 shade lamp...
Brass
Poul Henningsen, Early Ceiling Lamp, Brass, Copper, Opal Glass, Denmark, 1930s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in High Point, NC
A rare version of the Poul Henningsen "4/4" patent applied flush mount / ceiling lamp / wall lamp. Light fixture in patinated brass. All original shades. Top screen in white lacquere...
Brass, Copper
Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen for Poulsen Copper Outdoor Wall Lamp Sconces
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration are eight copper outdoor wall lamps or sconces by Poul Henningsen manufactured by Louis Poulsen, Denmark circa 1970. In good vintage condition. Eight sconces a...
Copper
Danish Mid-Century Modern PH 4/5 Pendant by Poul Henningsen for Louis Paulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Paulsen
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century Modern pendant/chandelier/fixture (PH 4/5) by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen in a Rare Lilac Color. Height of fixture without suspension cord is 12'. Suspen...
Metal
Poul Henningsen "ARTICHOKE" Chandelier"MEDUIM SIZE"
By Poul Henningsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Poul Henningsen "ARTICHOKE" chandelier,enameled Aluminum
The chandelier comes with the canopy and hanging wires( not in
photo.)
Aluminum