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Poul Henningsen Stools

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
PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Natural Un-Dyed, Leather Upholstery, Visible
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available with wood seating in five colorw...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Snake Stool, chrome, leather extreme walnut, full leather upholstery
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake Stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Stool, Brass Legs, Black Oak Veneer, Extreme Walnut Leather Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH dressing table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Extreme Walnut, Leather Upholstery, Visible Tube
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

Ph Stool, Wood Legs, Mahogany Veneer, Red Lamb Leather on Panels and Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

PH Snake Stool, chrome, yellow painted satin matt, wood seat, visible tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake Stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available with wood seating in five colorw...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Stool, wood legs, natural oak veneer, extreme walnut leather seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Oak, Leather

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Extreme Black, Leather Upholstery, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Stool, wood legs, natural oak veneer, extreme black leather seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, White Painted Satin Matt, Wood Seat, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available with wood seating in five colorw...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Black Painted Satin Matt, Wood Seat, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available with wood seating in five colorw...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Snake Stool, chrome, leather extreme indianred, leather upholstery, visible
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake Stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Extreme Indianred, Full Leather Upholstery
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Natural Un-Dyed, Full Leather Upholstery
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

Ph Stool, Brass Legs, Black Oak Veneer, Extreme Black Leather Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Extreme Black, Full Leather Upholstery
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Stool, Brass Legs, Mahogany Veneer, Red Lamb Leather on Panels and Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH dressing table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH stool is available in maho...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

PH Stool, Brass Legs, Natural Oak Veneer, Extreme Walnut Leather Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Green Painted Satin Matt, Wood Seat, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available with wood seating in five colorw...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Stool, Brass Legs, Natural Oak Veneer, Extreme Black Leather Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH dressing table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH stool is available in mahogany, blac...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

Ph Stool, Wood Legs, Black Oak Veneer, Extreme Black Leather Seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Red Painted Satin Matt, Wood Seat, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH snake stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available with wood seating in five colorw...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Stool, wood legs, black oak veneer, extreme walnut leather seat
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Stool is perfectly proportioned to match the PH Dressing Table or stand-alone as a functional sculpture. The PH Stool is available in mahogany, bla...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

Ph Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Extreme Mocca, Leather Upholstery, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake Stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

PH Snake Stool, Chrome, Leather Extreme Mocca, Full Leather Upholstery
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake Stool is completely true to the original design and the use of chromed steel tubes, however updated for the 21st century to be available wi...
Category

2010s Danish Bauhaus Poul Henningsen Stools

Materials

Chrome

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Previously Available Items
Danish Mid-Century Poul Henningsen Ph Snake Stool
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Norwalk, CT
The PH snake stool was designed by Poul Henningsen as a counterpart to his world-renowned Danish mid-century PH lighting line. With a twisted chrome bas...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Poul Henningsen stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Poul Henningsen stools are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of leather and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Poul Henningsen stools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Poul Henningsen stools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,070 and can go as high as $3,890, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,398.
Questions About Poul Henningsen Stools
  • 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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