Arne Jacobsen, AJ Mini lamp for Louis Poulsen

ARNE JACOBSEN (Denmark, 1902–1971) for Louis Poulsen.
AJ Table Lamp, MINI.
Black lacquered metal, white lacquered interior. On/off switch on the base.
Manufactured by Louis Poulsen.
Unused. In its original packaging.
Measurements: Height 43 cm. (Box 52 x 16 x 25 cm.).

Designed in 1957 by Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the “AJ” table lamp is a design now considered a classic masterpiece and an icon of mid-20th-century Scandinavian modern style. Few table lamps have its appeal, which stems from its characteristic asymmetrical shape and adjustable shade, making it a perfect reading lamp. In 2020, Louis Poulsen celebrates the 60th anniversary of the opening of the SAS Royal Hotel with a relaunch of the AJ Mini table lamp

Architect and designer Arne Jacobsen studied for four years at the Copenhagen School of Construction before enrolling in the Faculty of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Among his most notable architectural works are St. Catherine’s College in Oxford, the SAS Hotel in Copenhagen, the headquarters of the National Bank of Denmark in the same city, and the Royal Danish Embassy in London. As a designer, he created furniture that has become iconic, such as the “Ant” chair (1951) and the “Swan” and “Egg” chairs, designed for the SAS Hotel. He is also known for his 1955 Model 3107 chair, also called the “Chair No. 7,” of which more than five million were sold and which, alongside Christine Keeler, featured in Lewis Morley’s iconic photograph. Another of his contributions to popular culture in the media is his designer cutlery set, featuring spoons for both hands, which was chosen for the film “2001: A Space Odyssey” because of its futuristic appearance. The key to the success of Jacobsen’s works lies in their elegant and minimalist design, and today they can be found in collections such as those of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the MoMA in New York, among many others.