Poul Henningsen (1894-1967), also called PH, was one of the most important figures in Danish cultural life during the interwar period. As an architect and designer, Henningsen was one of the most ardent proponents of functionalism. In 1925, he designed his most famous product, the PH lamp, which today is one of the world's most famous lamps.

Louis Poulsen

Brass, perforated metal top shade, single layer opaline glass.

History:
Four of these perforated PH 5/4 pendant were made for the St. Peter's chapel in Tappernøje, Denmark. They were made to order by Louis Poulsen. The design avoids the large fragile O-5 glass shades, but the material still provides diffused upwards light.

Lighting

Rare 'PH 5/4' Ceiling Lamp

Copper, opaline glass, bronzed brass fitments, bakelite canopy.
Stamped 'P.H.-4' and 'Patented'.

Pair of 'PH 5/4' Ceiling Lamps

Painted aluminium. 

This lamp was commissioned for the Handelsbanken in Copenhagen when it was refurbished in 1970’s.

Literature: 
'LP & CO NYT' Magazine, December 1981, illustrated.

Large 'Spiral' Ceiling Lamp

Model PH 5/3. Designed 1927. 
Patinated metal, cast iron, patinated brass, matt yellow glass shades.  
Adjustable height: 120-175 cm

Literature: 
L. Jorstian, T. Jorstian, P. E. M. Nielsen, 'Light Years Ahead: The Story of the PH Lamp', Ed. Louis Poulsen, 1994, variation illustrated p. 152.

Floor lamp

Florescent painted metal shades. 

Designed in 1959 exclusively for "The House of the Day after Tomorrow“ exhibition, with only around 15 lamps ever produced. Reminiscent of the Artichoke Lamp in the Langelinie Pavilion. Lighting engineering based on color concept, based on the observation that the red end of the light spectrum reproduced texture better than the colder color rays. 

Illustration: Light years ahead - the story of the PH lamp. Louis Poulsen p. 298.

'House of the Future' Ceiling Light

PH 5/5 pendel, PAT.APPL. Original single layer opal glass shades. Metal fittings.

PH Ceiling Lamp 5/5

Designed 1927.
Brass base, black bakélite and matt yellow glass shades.
Stamped 'PH - 4 PATENTED'.

Literature: 
Jørstian Tina, Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, 'Light Years Ahead. The Story of the PH Lamp', Louis Poulsen, p. 147, 200, 216.

Table Lamp PH 4/3

Copper, nickel plated metal.
Impressed 'PAT. APPL.'

Early Ceiling Lamp with PH 4/4 Shades

Nickel plated bass and stem. Copper shades. Stamped 'PH-4 PATENTED'

Table Lamp 4/3

Single layer opaline glass. Bronze patinated brass. Stamped 'PAT. APPL'

PH-3/2 'American' Table Lamp

White painted copper top shade. Lower shades on one layer white glass. Bronzed brass fitments. Bakelite canopy. Stamped “P.H.-4” and “Patented”. This example manufactured 1930s by Louis Poulsen. Diam. 50 cm.

Provenance: Mounted in public building since the early 1930´s

“PH 5/4” Ceiling Lamp

Amber acid etched glass. Nickel fittings. Adjustable hang.

Beyond the original PH Lamps, Poul Henningsen worked on the Septima between 1927 and 1931. Here again, he cloaked the bulb in several layers that simultaneously diffuse and reflect light to create a warm and harmonious ambiance. The commercial and cultural potential of the Septima was never fully realized, and very few examples were produced. On the eve of World War II, Louis Poulsen ceased production due to material shortages.

`Septima Five´ Lamp

Executed c. 1928-1930.
Painted copper, opal glass, nickel plated metal.
Socket housing impressed 'PAT. APPL'.

Ceiling Light with Model no. PH 4/4 Shades

Copper shades. Nickel fitting. Stamped PH- 6 Patented

PH 6/5 Copper Ceiling Lamp

Copper shades. Nickel fitting. Stamped "Pat. Appl.” Manufactured 1926–1928 by Louis Poulsen. Provenance; Dalum paper factory Fyen Island.

PH - 6/6

The final shape of the Tennis lamp was the result of a series of tests Poul Henningsen carried out with tennis player Einar Middleboe. The lamps were installed in the Københavns Boldklubs indoor tennis court.

Literature: 
Taend! PH Lampens Histoire, Gyldendal, pages 230 to 233. 

Provenance: 
Collection Louis Poulsen

PH Tennis Lamp

Aluminium, brass, copper. Single lamp holder.

One of only five lamps produced for the Headquarters Assembly Hall, Danish Consumers Cooperative Society, Albertslund, Denmark.

Produced in limited quantities for special commissions.  The Spiral was first presented at the Artists' Autumn Exhibition in 1942. Literature: "Light Years Ahead". Ill. and described p. 266 - 267 .The lamp was designed for the main hall in the University of Aarhus. "The shape of the lamp is geometric intended so that all exposed surfaces of the spiral was affected by light in the same angle and reflecting it out into the space under the same conditions". The spiral-shaped shade, looks like it is made in one long stroke, which was extremely difficult. 

Literature
Tina Jørstian and Poul Eric Munk Nielsen, eds., Light Years Ahead, The Story of the PH Lamp, Copenhagen, 1994, p. 268
Erik Steffensen, Poul Henningsen, Denmark, 2005, p. 58
Tobias Hoffmann, 'Nordic Design; The Response to the Bauhaus', catalogue, Bröhan Museum, 2019, p.185.

Exhibition: 
'Nordic Design; The Response to the Bauhaus', Bröhan Museum, Berlin, 2019/2020.

'Spiral' Ceiling Lamp

Brass. Inner clear glass shade. Designed in 1950 in a very small production.

Literature:
Light Years Ahead, page 253.

'The Metal Globe' Ceiling Lamp

Designed 1957. Copper, paint, steel.

Literature: “Light Years Ahead”, ill. p. 269 and p. 271.

Pair of 'PH Louvre' Ceiling Lights

Painted metal, chromium-plated metal, copper.

Early 'Artichoke' Ceiling Lamp

Patinated brass with internally frosted amber shades. 
Lampholder impressed 'PATENTED / P.H.-2

The earliest examples of the model were produced with metal socket holders in 1931, produced thereafter with Bakelite socket holders. The flanged switch was also used on early examples, replaced with a flat ended switch in later examples.

Early Table lamp with Model PH 2/2 Shades

Designed 1939, executed 1950's.
Lacquered wood, chromium plated metal, leather, ebony, celluloid.

Literature: 
Tina Jørstian, Poul Munk Nielsen, eds, 'Light Years Ahead: The Story of the PH Lamp', Copenhagen, 1994, p. 165 for the Pianette version.

Furniture

PH Upright Piano

Copper.

Literature:
Tina Jørstian & Poul Erik M. Nielsen ‘Light Years Ahead – The story of the PH lamp’, Louis Poulsen 1994, pp. 272-275

Early 'PH-5' Ceiling Lamp

Opal glass with partially blue tinted interiors, nickel plated metal.
Impressed 'PH-4' with patent number to shade mount.
Henningsen was known to greatly experiment with different shade colours for his PH lamps. One of these was a special 'daylight' shade, used in special circumstances when it was important to be able to distinguish between the colours.