Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
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
Poul Henningsen Chrome and Opaline Glass PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen chrome-plated and opaline glass PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen. Executed in white opal glass and a chrome-plated frame. The Industrial look of the chrome surfa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Louis Poulsen, Medium Table Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, medium table light by Poul Henningsen
Measures: Width 290 x height 472 x length 290 (mm), 3.0 kg
Material: Shades in mouth-blown white opal glass with the body an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Louis Poulsen, Small Table Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, small table light by Poul Henningsen
Measures: Width x height x length (mm)
200 x 355 x 200, 1.6 kg
Material: Shades in mouth-blown white opal glass with the body a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Louis Poulsen, Color Table Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, color table light by Poul Henningsen
Measures: Width x height x length (mm)
330 x 450 x 330, 2.6 kg
Top shade: Spun aluminium. The insid...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Red
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3½-2½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen, Denmark.
Poul Henningsen’s legendary design stems from his own, brilliant three-shade system from ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Large Poul Henningsen PH 4½-3½ Glass Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Glendale, CA
Poul Henningsen opaline glass PH 4½-3½ table lamp for Louis Poulsen.
Executed in white opal glass and a chrome frame. The industrial look of the chrome surface offers a bold, unders...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome, Steel, Aluminum
Early Poul Henningsen 3/2 Table Lamp Shades in Copper, 1930s
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Henningsen & Louis Poulsen, Scandinavian Modern
The iconic Poul Henningsen (PH 3/2) table lamp with shades in copper.
Stand and socket house of browned brass. Bakelite swi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Copper
Poul Henningsen Ph 4½-3½ Glass Table Lamp
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Berkeley, CA
"The fixture is designed based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downwards. The shades are made of handblown opal three-lay...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Poul Henningsen Ph 3½-2½ Glass Table Lamp
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Berkeley, CA
The fixture is designed based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downwards. The shades are made of handblown opal three-layer glass, which is glossy on top and sandblasted matte on the underside, giving a soft and diffuse light distribution. The fixture is designed based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downwards. The shades are made of handblown opal three-layer glass, which is glossy on top and sandblasted matte on the underside, giving a soft and diffuse light distribution. The PH 3½-2½ Glass Table lamp was designed in 1928 and is one of many advanced projects undertaken by Poul Henningsen in the development of his world-famous three-shade system from 1926. Poul Henningsen devoted most of his life to taming electric light. He based his three-shade design on a logarithmic spiral to make optimum use of the light source. He was constantly doing calculations and tests. The form of the shades was determined by the way they were required to shape and reflect the light, and the lamp was designed to be glare-free. The first PH Table lamp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Chrome
Poul Henningsen Table Lamp Model Ph-2/2 'Vintergækken' by Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and early table lamp model PH-2/2 ‘Vintergækken’ designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark.
Category
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Poul Henningsen Early Table Lamp Model PH-2/2 'Vintergækken' by Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and early table lamp model PH-2/2 ‘Vintergækken’ designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark. Stamped D.R.P (Deutsche Reichs Patent).
Category
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Louis Poulsen, Medium Glass Table Light by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, medium glass table light by Poul Henningsen
Measures: Width x height x length (mm)
330 x 450 x 330, 3.0 kg
Material: Shade: Mouth-blown white opal glass Top plate: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
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 Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Copper
Poul Henningsen Table Lamp Model PH-2/2 Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare table lamp model PH-2/2 ‘The question mark’ designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark.
Category
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Louis Poulsen PH 4/3 Table Lamp in Matte White by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
The fixture is designed based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downwards. The shades are made of metal and painted white t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Louis Poulsen PH 4½-3½ Glass Table Lamp in Chrome by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
The fixture is designed based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downwards. The shades are made of hand blown opal three-lay...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Louis Poulsen, Large Glass Table Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, large glass table light by Poul Henningsen
Measures: Width x Height x Length (mm)
450 x 550 x 450, 9.3 kg
Material: Shades in mouth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Poul Henningsen Table Lamp Model PH-2/2 'The Questions Mark' by Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare table lamp model PH-2/2 ‘The question mark’ designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark.
Category
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Louis Poulsen, Large Metal Table Light by Poul Henningsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, large metal table light by Poul Henningsen
Measures: Width x Height x Length (mm)
450 x 540 x 450, 3.0 kg
Material: Shades: white lacquered aluminium, Stem and base...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Metal
Early Poul Henningsen Table Lamp in Brass with Copper Shades, 1927-1928
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Henningsen & Louis Poulsen, Mid-century Modern design
The iconic Poul Henningsen (PH 3/2) table lamp with copper shades.
Stand, switch and socket house of browned brass.
Top...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Copper
Poul Henningsen Table Lamp Model PH 3½/2 Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare table lamp model PH 3½/2 designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark. Marked “PAT. APPL”.
Category
1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Copper
Poul Henningsen early table lamp model PH-3/2 by Louis Poulsen in Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and early table lamp model PH-3/2 designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark. Marked “PAT. APPL.”.
Category
1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Poul Henningsen Early Table Lamp Model PH-3/2 by Louis Poulsen in Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and early table lamp model PH-3/2 designed by Poul Henningsen. Produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark. Stamped “PAT. APPL.”.
Category
1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Nickel
Poul Heningsen Table Lamp, model PH 4/3 of White Opaline Glass, 1950's
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Lejre, DK
The PH 4/3 table lamp designed by Poul Henningsen and manufactured by Louis Poulsen is a timeless and iconic piece of lighting design.
Poul Henningsen, a Danish architect and design...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
1930s PH 3, 5/2 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen Denmark
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
PH 3½-2 desk light by Poul Henningsen. Original yellow lacquered zinc top-shade, matté yellow single layered glass middle and bottom shade, patinated brass stem and Bakelite detailin...
Category
1930s Danish Bauhaus Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Table Lamp PH-4/3 ""PAT. APPL." Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen, Copenhagen, 1927
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Early and important PH-table lamp model "4/3" by Poul Henningsen manufactured at Louis Poulsen, Copenhagen between 1926-28. The lamp base is made from patinated solid brass and the s...
Category
1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Poul Henningsen table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.
Poul Henningsen table lamps 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 table lamps, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 37 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 48 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original table lamps by Poul Henningsen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider table lamps by Gubi, Arne Jacobsen, and Royal Copenhagen. Prices for Poul Henningsen table lamps can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $935 and can go as high as $61,025, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,950.
Creators Similar to Poul Henningsen
Questions About Poul Henningsen Table Lamps
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Poul 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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