Johannes (Jo) Hammerborg was a passionate innovator and lighting designer credited with the success of the Danish lighting company Fog & Mørup. His sleek ceiling lights, floor lamps and table lamps are characterized by the simple lines and clean aesthetic of Scandinavian modern design.
Hammerborg was born in Randers, Denmark, in 1920. As a young man, he trained as a silversmith before attending the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. In 1949, Hammerborg began working as a silversmith at leading Danish silverware brand Georg Jensen. He worked at Georg Jensen until 1957, when he became the chief designer at Fog & Mørup.
Hammerborg brought both his modernist designs and his good business sense to Fog & Mørup. He helped the company create a strong brand and implemented a stringent manufacturing process to ensure high quality. During his time with Fog & Mørup, Hammerborg designed over 60 lighting fixtures and collaborated with other designers such as Torsten Thorup and Claus Bonderup, Erik Balslev, Sophus Frandsen and more. Vintage Hammerborg lighting is functional and accessible and was intended for easy coordination with modern interior decor.
Among Hammerborg's most famous works are his 1966 Trombone series. Trombone pendants, floor lamps and table lamps feature cylindrical shades in various metallic finishes and are fantastically versatile. The Milieu pendant from 1975 is another notable Hammerborg design. Its hemispherical shape gives the shade a light and airy quality, and Hammerborg's love of parachuting inspired its distinctive appearance.
Hammerborg left Fog & Mørup in 1980. The company subsequently underwent a series of mergers that eventually led to its closure.
Hammerborg’s brilliant lighting creations remain in high demand today. The Hammerborg family has collaborated with Danish furniture brand Warm Nordic — which has reissued iconic mid-century works such as Hans Olsen’s inviting Fried Egg armchair — in order to relaunch the Trombone and Milieu series.
On 1stDibs, find an extensive collection of vintage Jo Hammerborg lighting.
Langelinie Ceiling Lamp in Copper by Poul Henningsen, 1950s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The rare Langelinie ceiling lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark, is an outstanding example of Scandinavian modernist lighting design—one that m...
Copper
Langelinie Ceiling Lamp in Copper by Poul Henningsen, 1950s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The Langelinie ceiling lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark, is a rare and architecturally refined lighting fixture that encapsulates the core principles of mid-century Scandinavian design. Originally developed for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen, this model reflects Henningsen’s enduring commitment to functional beauty, glare-free illumination, and atmospheric light control. The lamp’s construction features a tiered arrangement of concentric copper shades, carefully proportioned and spaced to redirect light both downward and outward. The stepped configuration not only serves to eliminate direct glare but also creates a nuanced interplay of shadow and reflection, producing the soft, diffused glow that characterizes Henningsen’s most celebrated designs. The inner surfaces of the copper shades are lacquered white to maximize light distribution while preserving a neutral tone. Over time, the copper has developed a warm, organic patina—an effect that not only enhances the lamp’s visual richness but also reinforces its material authenticity. The combination of aged copper and the clean white interiors results in a layered lighting effect that feels both natural and engineered. The fixture is suspended by a twisted black fabric cord and capped with a minimalist black ceiling canopy, offering a subtle contrast that complements the overall composition. Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) remains one of the most influential figures in 20th-century lighting design. His long-standing collaboration with Louis Poulsen produced a range of iconic luminaires that balanced engineering precision with human-centered lighting theory. Henningsen’s approach—rooted in the optical and emotional experience of light—continues to inform modern lighting standards. The Langelinie lamp...
Copper
Ceiling Lamp in Copper and Glass by Erik Höglund, 1960's
By Erik Höglund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Copper and Glass by Erik Höglund, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Copper and glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Ateljé Lyktan in Åhus, Swede...
Copper
Ceiling Lamp in Copper and Nickel Plated Steel by Poul Henningsen, 1920's
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Copper and Nickel Plated Steel by Poul Henningsen, 1920's Additional Information: Material: Copper, nickel plated steel Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare ceiling...
Copper, Steel
Ceiling Lamp in Copper and Brass by Paavo Tynell, 1940's, Taito Oy
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Custom Ordered Ceiling Lamp in Copper & Brass by Paavo Tynell, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Copper and brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Taito Oy in Fin...
Copper
Ceiling Lamp in Copper, 1960's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceiling Lamp in Copper, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Copper Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Lyfa in Denmark Dimensions (W x D...
Copper
Copper Ceiling Pendant, Sweden, 1970s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
All original. Good condition. Produced in Sweden, 1970s. Measure: Diameter 45 cm Height is adjustable.
Copper
Midcentury Hans-Agne Jakobsson T325/450 Copper Ceiling Lamp, Sweden, 1960s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This large pendant in copper model T325/450 by Hans Agne Jakobsson Markaryd with soft non-dazzle light, the perfect light for a dining table, produced by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for the ...
Aluminum, Copper
Swedish Mid Century Hans-Agne Jakobsson T-642 Copper Ceiling Pendant Lamp, 1950s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare small Swedish mid century ceiling or window lamp pendant in patinated copper by Hans-Agne Jakobsson produced in Sweden, 1950s. In good original condition with beautiful patina f...
Copper
1960s Jo Hammerborg Copper Nova Pendant Lamp For Fog & Mørup, Denmark
By Jo Hammerborg
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Copper edition ‘Nova’ lamp designed by Jo Hammerborg in 1963 for Fog & Mørup, Denmark. Finished in polished Copper to the outside with contrasting black and white and orange colours...
Copper
Copper Ultra Pendant By Jo Hammerborg For Fog & Mørup, 1960s
By Jo Hammerborg, Fog & Mørup
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This copper Ultra pendant light was designed by Jo Hammerborg for Fog & Mørup in the very early 1960s. The lamp consists of seven rings. Ultra was produced in solid copper and lacqu...
Copper
Jo Hammerborg Nova Patinated Copper Ceiling Lamp Fog & Mørup Denmark 1960s
By Fog & Mørup, Jo Hammerborg
Located in Lisboa, PT
This “Nova” ceiling lamp, designed by Jo Hammerborg for Fog & Mørup in Denmark during the 1960s, exemplifies the sculptural precision and functional elegance that define Scandinavian...
Copper
