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.
Set of 2 Mid-Century German Glass Pendant Lamps from Peill & Putzler, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two colored glass pendants from the renowned manufacturer Putzler. The entire design language seems rather Scandinavian. The simple shape of the lights is broken up by a play of col...
Metal
Set of 2 Mid-Century Danish Minisol Pendant Lamps by K. Kewo, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two Minisol pendant lights in blue and red. The Minisol is a small pendulum that was made entirely of plastic and came in bright colors. The plastic sh...
Plastic
Set of 3 Mid-Century Danish Emaille Amatur Pendant Lamps, 1960s
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple enamel pendant lamp in orange from the Danish manufacturer Louis Poulsen. Also known as an Emaille-Amatur or Arbejd spendula. An archetypal design. Functional pendulum in the...
Metal
Set of 2 Mid-Century Czech Minimalist Ceiling Pendant Lamps by Josef, 1960s
By Josef Hurka
Located in Hamburg, DE
Minimalist rod pendant lights from Napako based on a design by Josef Hurka from the 1960s. A minimalist design in shape and color. The shade consists of a simple metal ring that is ...
Metal
Set of 2 Mid-Century Space Age Model MDK 031 Metal Pendant Lamps, 1960s
By Philips
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two Space Age pendant lights from the Dutch manufacturer Philips. A simple design with an impressive surface. The lamp body is made of aluminum. This has been polished to a high shi...
Metal
Mid-Century Danish Pendant Lamp from Louis Poulsen, 1960s
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple enamel pendant lamp in orange from the Danish manufacturer Louis Poulsen. Also known as an enamel collector or Arbejd spendula. An archetypical design. Functional pendulum in...
Metal
Pair of Poul Henningsen Pendants PH 2/1 for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Vienna, AT
Poul Henningsen PH 2/1 pendants. Fitted with one E27 socket, white opal glass shades, black fabric cords. Produced by Louis Poulsen. Ø 20 cm. Minimal wear.
Steel
1960s Set of Two Danish Opal Acrylic Pendants by Erik Moller for Louis Poulsen
By Erik Møller, Louis Poulsen
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s set of two Danish opal acrylic pendants by Erik Moller for Louis Poulsen The very rare pendants feature a opal acrylic cylinder lampshades with brass mounts and an adjustable ...
Opal, Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Dutch Pendant Lights by Hiemstra Evolux
By Hiemstra Evolux
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Rare pair of Dutch mid-century pendant lights produced by Hiemstra Evolux, Netherlands, circa 1960–1970. These sculptural pendants are characterized by their architectural black meta...
Metal
Vilhelm Lauritzen, Pendant Lights, Metal, Denmark, 1950s
By Louis Poulsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white lacquered metal pendant lights designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen and produced by Louis Poulsen, Denmark, c. 1950s. Dimensions of canopy (inches): N/A Socket takes standa...
Metal
Set of Two Elegant Scandinavian Opaline Glass Pendant Lamps 1960s
Located in München, BY
Set of two lovely and elegant Mid-Century Modern opaline glass pendant lamps in organic shape. Designed and manufactured in Scandinavia, 1960s. Executed in opaline glass, each penda...
Opaline Glass
Poul Henningsen PH5 Ceiling Light, Scandinavian Modern, Circa 1970
By Poul Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
One of the most famous and sought after lights by Poul Henningsen, designed for Louis Poulsen, Denmark, this pair of matte white-enameled aluminum lamps are accentuated with royal bl...
Aluminum
