Poul Henningsen PH 3, 5/3 manufactured by Louis Poulsen 1940’s

About the Item
- Creator:Poul Henningsen (Designer),Louis Poulsen (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.18 in (36 cm)Diameter: 13 in (33 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Voltage:220-240v
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940’s
- Condition:Rewired: Later professionally rewired. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor chips on the upper edge of the middle shade which can not be seen when mounted.
- Seller Location:Valby, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6559235933552
Poul Henningsen
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.
Louis Poulsen
Louis Poulsen is world-renowned as an innovator in modern Danish lighting, but this wasn’t the goal from the start. Founded in 1874 by Ludvig R. Poulsen as a wine importer, the business went through several incarnations before its first pendant lights came to fruition. Through its designs, the company helped establish the foundations of good lighting — function, comfort and ambience — that are now standard in modern furniture design.
In 1924, Danish architect Poul Henningsen partnered with Louis Poulsen & Co., then an electrical supply company, to create what’s now known as the Paris lamp. This design, which incorporated three layers of curved metal disks, created ambience with its indirect light instead of glare. Shown at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris — the exhibition that brought Art Deco design to worldwide attention — the Paris lamp was awarded a gold medal. This led to Poulsen and Henningsen working together on several lighting pieces, including the popular PH pendant light with its concentric shades for the Forum Building in Copenhagen. These high-profile projects helped make Louis Poulsen a go-to purveyor of innovative lighting design.
One of the company’s most well-known lamps is Henningsen’s PH Artichoke lamp (1958), with its 72 copper leaves artfully placed to conceal the light bulb, prevent glare and promote a warm, alluring glow in any room. Another is the steel and die-cast zinc AJ lamp (1960), which Arne Jacobsen designed with an adjustable angled shade for his commission for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The company has also worked with notables such as Verner Panton and Alfred Homann as well as, more recently, Louise Campbell and Oki Sato.
In 2010, the company was awarded the American Institute of Architects’ Honors in Collaborative Achievement Award; it was the first lighting manufacturer to receive this honor. In 2018, the company was acquired by an investment subsidiary of Investindustrial VI L.P. Still headquartered in Denmark, the brand continues to produce its high-end lighting for both indoor and outdoor use, manufacturing both classic icons as well as new designs. “We design to shape light,” states Louis Poulsen. In doing so, they have also shaped culture.
Find a range of new and vintage Louis Poulsen floor lamps, table lamps and other lighting and furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Valby, Denmark
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Poul Henningsen Table Lamp model 3/2, 5 manufactured by Louis Poulsen 1940’sBy Poul Henningsen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Valby, 84Poul Henningsen Table Lamp model 3/2,5 manufactured by Louis Poulsen 1940’s, the lamps frame has a white Bakelite bulb socket and switch housing and a darke...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Zinc
- Set of Two Patinaed Bronze Vases Manufactured Denmark 1940’sBy Arne BangLocated in Valby, 84Rare Set of two patinaed bronze vases manufactured Denmark 1940’s in the manner of Arne Bang. The tall vase is 7.5 cm tall and 8.5 cm in diameter...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsBronze
- Pierre Forsell Brass Lidded Jar Manufactured by SkultunaBy Pierre Forsell, Pierre Forssell, SkultunaLocated in Valby, 84Rare and important Pierre Forsell brass lidded jar manufactured by Skultuna in the 1970’s. The lid is made in solid brass with a lid decorated with a mixture of copper and a chrome metal. This jar is the perfect decorative detail for any interior, it will fit anything from the typical Scandinavian interior to a more traditional interior or a more Art deco type interior. Pierre Oskar Paul Forssell, born 1925 in Stockholm, died 2004, was a Swedish designer, craftsman and silversmith. Forssell worked for Gense from 1952–1964 where he designed the Piruett swivel fork (introduced in 1955 on the H55, launched in 1959) and the Spectra cutlery range (1961). He also carried out work for Skultuna Messingsbruk between the years 1955 and 1986, for example the wall sconces Pendel and Reflex. He also designed sacred art in brass, such as crosses and candlesticks, for several church rooms. Skultuna Messingsbruk (literally, "Skultuna Brass Works") is a Swedish manufacturer of brass and brass products. Founded in 1607 at the behest of King Karl IX, Skultuna Messingsbruk is located in Skultuna on the outskirts of Västerås. The logotype of Skultuna consists of the closed royal crown, the name "Skultuna" and the founding year "1607". In the year 1607, King Karl IX could at last implement his long held plans for a Swedish brass industry. He had a man sent off on the Crown's business to find a suitable location for a brass foundry. The choice fell on Skultuna, where the Svartån brook provided sufficient water power. Charcoal was available here as well, there was a harbor in Västerås and the copper mine at Falun was also close. Skultuna Messingsbruk was founded and the king's decision confirmed in a letter dated 11 February 1607. The work could proceed. The history of the brass foundry During the time of Gustav Wasa...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Copper
- Pierre Forssell Decanter in Patinaed Brass Manufactured by SkultunaBy Pierre Forsell, Pierre Forssell, SkultunaLocated in Valby, 84Beautiful patinaed decanter designed by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna in the 1960s, this specific decanter is made in 1986 the last year Pierre Forssell was working at Skultuna. Th...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern More Dining and Entertaining
MaterialsBrass
- Pierre Forssell Decanter and Two Cups Manufactured by SkultunaBy Pierre Forsell, Pierre Forssell, SkultunaLocated in Valby, 84Pierre Forssell decanter in 24 carat gold plating with two cups in brass all manufactured by Skultuna. The decanter is designed by the Swedish designer Pierre Forssell, the brass cu...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Three Pierre Forssell Tulip Candleholders Manufactured by SkultunaBy Pierre Forssell, SkultunaLocated in Valby, 84Set of three Pierre Forssell brass Tulip candle holders manufactured by Skultuna in the 1960’s. The candle holders are made in solid brass...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern More Candle Holders
MaterialsBrass
- PH 3/2 Akademi Designed by Poul Henningsen and Manufactured by Louis PoulsenBy Louis Poulsen, Poul HenningsenLocated in Lejre, DKPoul Henningsen's collaboration with Louis Poulsen began as early as 1925-1926, when PH, in partnership with Louis Poulsen, designed the first lamps for an exhibition in Paris. This collaboration lasted until his death in 1967. Throughout his life, PH aimed to create glare-free light, directing the light where it was needed and producing soft shadows using the incandescent bulb as the light source. The PH 3/2 Academy Pendant is part of the 3-shade family, which now comprises 30 lamps, including 3 for outdoor use. PH didn't just design a lamp but an entire system, resulting in approximately a thousand different variations produced over the years. The extensive selection included table lamps, floor lamps, and wall lamps. Additionally, there were various chandeliers that became highly popular as high-hanging lighting fixtures...Category
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Poul Henningsen PH 3½-3 Pendants for Louis PoulsenBy Poul Henningsen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Glendale, CAThe PH 3½-3 pendants are an addition to the Louis Poulsen PH collection and are based on Poul Henningsen's original drawings from the late 1920s and early 1930s, featuring his renown...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and...
MaterialsCopper, Aluminum
- PH 3/2 Pendant by Poul Henningsen and Louis PoulsenBy Louis Poulsen, Poul HenningsenLocated in Lejre, DKPH 3/2 pendant designed by Poul Henningsen and manufactured by Louis Poulsen. The lamp is of white opaline glass and black chromed.Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsOpaline Glass
- Poul Henningsen PH 4/3 Pendant for Louis PoulsenBy Poul Henningsen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Glendale, CAPoul 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 Chandeliers and...
MaterialsMetal
- 1959 Edition Poul Henningsen PH 5 by Louis Poulsen, DenmarkBy Louis Poulsen, Poul HenningsenLocated in Krefeld, DEVery nice early and rare PH 5 from Poul Henningsen produced in 1959 only for one year by Louis Poulsen, Made in Denmark. The lamp is in very good condition. No parts missing, small s...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- PH Contrast by Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen, 1960sBy Louis Poulsen, Poul HenningsenLocated in Lejre, DKAn Exquisite Piece of Design History: The PH "Kontrast" Pendant Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark (1958-1962). Poul Henningsen's masterpiece, the "PH Kontrast" pend...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum