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.
Early Poul Henningsen, 'Water pump' floor lamp, 1940's
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Early Poul Henningsen 'Water pump' floor lamp, designed in 1940 and made at Louis Poulsen, Denmark 1940's. Stand of white painted metal, adjustable arm of patinated brass mounted w...
Metal, Brass, Zinc
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
An Iconic Poul Henningsen Garden Lamp by Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Søborg, DK
A rare iconic Poul Henningsen copper garden lamp PH 4.5 made in Denmark by Louis Poulsen from the 1960s This iconic lamp was first designed in 1966 and has been a Classic ever since ...
Copper
Early Floor Lamp "PH 4/3" by Poul Henningsen, Pat. Appl., Louis Poulsen, 1926-28
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Odense, DK
Early and important floor PH-lamp model 4/3 by Poul Henningsen manufactured at Louis Poulsen, Copenhagen between 1926-28. The lamp base is made from browned brass and the top shade i...
Bronze
Poul Henningsen, Floor Lamp, Nickel, Bakelite, Metal, Iron, Denmark, 1930s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in High Point, NC
A nickel, bakelite, red-lacquered metal and black-lacquered iron floor lamp designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen, Denmark, c. 1930s. Dimensions of Lamp with Sha...
Metal, Iron, Nickel
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' Floor Lamp in White and Chrome for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' floor lamp in white and chrome for Louis Poulsen. New, current production. Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade-system back in 1925-26. In collaboratio...
Chrome
Poul Henningsen 'PH 3½-2½' Opaline Glass Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Black
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 3½-2½' Opaline Glass Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Black Poul Henningsen designed the original three-shade system in 1926-27, using a scientific approach to cr...
Metal
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen in Black and White
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 80 floor lamp for Louis Poulsen in black and white. Poul Henningsen designed the original three-shade system in 1926-27, using a ...
Steel
Poul Henningsen 'PH 3½-2½' Opaline Glass and Chrome Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 3½-2½' Opaline Glass and Chrome Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen Poul Henningsen designed the original three-shade system in 1926-27, using a scientific approach to ...
Metal
$2,326 / item
Poul Henningsen PH Floor Lamp
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
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-laye...
Chrome
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
Rare PH 3/2 Floor Lamp by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare PH 3/2 Floor Lamp by Poul Henningsen. Designed and manufactured in Denmark, 1931. Amber glass shade with original stamp, metal base and stem, original cord. We recommend one E27...
Metal, Steel
Poul Henningsen PH 4/3 Floor Lamp, 1930
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare, early floor lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen with two layer opaline glass PH 4/3 shade set, bakelite socket and cover plate. The lamp is wired for US standards with br...
Metal, Brass
Limited Edition Copper PH3½-2½ by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen 2016
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Very rare copper limited edition PH3½-2½ floor lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen. Denmark, 2016. These lamps were sold exclusively from...
Copper
$1,412Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ph80 Floor Lamp by Poul Henningsen, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Chorzów, PL
PH80 floor lamp with a shade of white acrylic glass, manufactured by Louis Poulsen. The designer of the lamp was Poul Henningsen, 1894-1967. Dimensions: height 130 cm / dia. 55...
Aluminum
$1,728 / item
Poul Henningsen Ph 80 Floor Lamp
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Berkeley, CA
The fixture emits diffuse and symmetrical light. The majority of the light is directed downwards, and the opal acrylic shades provide comfortable room lighting. The red hue of the top reflector helps give the light a warmer glow. Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system back in 1925-1926. The first lights using the system were designed by PH in cooperation with Louis Poulsen for an exhibition in Paris. This partnership continued up until his death in 1967. Throughout his life, PH sought to create glare-free light, direct light where it was most needed, and create soft shadows, using incandescent bulbs as a light source. PH 80...
Chrome
Floor Lamp in Brass and Znic by Poul Henningsen, 1930s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare floor lamp PH-3/2 is an early and significant example of Poul Henningsen’s groundbreaking lighting design, produced by Louis Poulsen in Denmark during the 1930s. The lamp e...
Brass, Zinc
Poul Henningsen, Early 'Question Mark' floor lamp, 1931.
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
An early and rare Poul Henningsen 'Question Mark' floor lamp. Designed 1931 and made at Louis Poulsen, Denmark app. 1931-1932. Large three-level stand of browned brass and original...
Brass
Poul Henningsen Floor Lamp Model PH 3.5/2.5 with Black Frame, Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
PH 3.5/2.5 floor lamp designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen. The lamp is made with a black frame and shades in white opal glass, giving an elegant and balanced ex...
Glass
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' Floor Lamp in Red and Chrome for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' Floor Lamp in Red and Chrome for Louis Poulsen Poul Henningsen designed the original three-shade system in 1926-27, using a scientific a...
Steel, Chrome
$5,530 / item
Louis Poulsen, Glass Floor Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, glass floor light by Poul Henningsen Measures: Width 450 x height 1250 x length 450(mm), 15.5 kg Material: Shades in mouth-blown white opal glass with top plate and b...
Metal
Poul Henningsen ‘Seven’ 3, 5/2 (1894–1967). Floor lamp
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Egå, DK
Poul Henningsen 3,5/2 (1894–1967). Floor lamp, model “Seven,”. Fitted with a metal top and one layered opal under shades,. Tripod stand stamped “patented.” Produced by Louis Poulsen ...
Metal
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen in White
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 80' Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen in White Poul Henningsen designed the original three-shade system in 1926-27, using a scientific approach to create glare-free l...
Steel
PH-2/2 “Water Pump" Floor Lamp in Brass & Glass by Poul Henningsen, 1940s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The PH-2/2 “Water Pump” floor lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen in the 1940s, is an exceptionally rare and historic...
Brass
Poul Henningsen 'PH 4½-3½' Glass Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen 'PH 4½-3½' Glass Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen The 'PH 4½ - 3½' glass floor lamp is a member of the PH 3-shade family, originally conceived in the winter of 1925-1926...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Ph 4 1/2-3 1/2 Floor Lamp of Chrome with Shades of Opaline Glass
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Lejre, DK
The PH 4 1/2-3 1/2 floor lamp, characterized by its elegant chrome frame and opaline glass shades, is a quintessential example of Scandinavian Modern design. Created by the renowned Danish designer Poul Henningsen, this lamp showcases his signature blend of form, function, and timeless beauty. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, the lamp features three opaline glass shades arranged in a harmonious configuration, providing soft, diffused lighting that enhances any interior space. The chrome frame adds a touch of sophistication and complements the overall aesthetic of the lamp. In great vintage condition, this PH floor lamp...
Metal
Poul Henningsen Amber Glass Floor Lamp, Danish Design from the 1930s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Poul Henningsen floor lamp features warm amber glass that casts a soft glow. Its iconic tiered design balances elegance and functionality, bringing a touch of Danish modern soph...
Metal, Bronze
$3,177Sale Price|22% Off
Ph Floor Lamp Model Ph3½-2½, Limited Edition By Poul Henningsen From 2016
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
The PH floor lamp, model PH3½-2½, is a limited edition designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen. This exclusive lamp features an upper s...
Copper
$2,588 / item
Louis Poulsen, Floor Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, floor light by Poul Henningsen Measures: Width x height x length (mm) 330 x 1300 x 330, 6.8 kg Material: Shades in mouth-blown white opal glass with the stem and base ...
Metal
Poul Henningsen Copper Floor Lamp, Model 4/3
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Poul Henningsen PH 4/3 floor lamp is crafted in copper, and has a natural patina throughout making it unique all on its own. Designed with Henningsen’s signature tiered shades, i...
Metal, Copper
Poul Henningsen PH 3/2 Waterpump Chrome Special Edition 2022 by Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Lejre, DK
PH 3/2 Waterpump Special Edition 2022 designed by Poul Henningsen and manufactured by Louis Poulsen. The lamp features mouth-blown white three-layer opal glass shades and a high-glos...
Chrome
Poul Henningsen Floor Lamp Model PH 80, Louis Poulsen, 132 cm
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Lejre, DK
PH 80 floor lamp designed by Poul Henningsen and produced by Louis Poulsen. The lamp was introduced in 1974 on the occasion of Poul Henningsen’s 80th birthday. It is made with shades...
Opal, Chrome
Poul Henningsen PH 3-2 1/2 Outdoor Bollard for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen PH 3-2 1/2 outdoor bollard for Louis Poulsen. Based on Poul Henningsen's revolutionary reflective three-shade system, which directs t...
Stainless Steel
$4,402 / item
Poul Henningsen Ph 4½-3½ Glass Floor 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-laye...
Chrome
Poul Henningsen Brass and Glass 'PH 3½-2½' Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Henningsen Brass and Glass 'PH 3½-2½' Floor Lamp for Louis Poulsen Poul Henningsen designed the original three-shade system in 1926-27, usi...
Brass
Poul Henningsen 'Water Pump' Floor Lamp
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Long Island City, NY
Poul Henningsen 'Water Pump' floor lamp.
Metal, Brass
$2,000 / item
Louis Poulsen, Metal Floor Light by Poul Henningsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, metal floor light by Poul Henningsen Measures: Width x height x length (mm) 550 x 1315 x 550, 7.4 kg Material: Shades: white opal acrylic and polycarbonate, stem in br...
Metal
Floor Lamp in Bronze Patinated Brass and Glass Shades by Poul Henningsen, 1940's
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Floor Lamp in Bronze Patinated Brass and Original Glass Shades by Poul Henningsen, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Bronze patinated brass and original glass shades Style: M...
Brass
Floor Lamp in Bronze Patinated Brass and Glass Shades by Poul Henningsen, 1940's
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Floor Lamp in Bronze Patinated Brass and Glass Shades by Poul Henningsen, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Bronze patinated brass and original glass shades Style: Mid centur...
Brass