Poul Henningsen

POUL HENNINGSEN (Copenhagen, 1894–1967) for Louis Poulsen, Denmark.
PH 5 pendant lamp. Designed in 1958.
Lacquered aluminum and metal frame.
Shows signs of wear and some chipping in the finish.
Measurements: 50 cm (diameter).

The PH 5 is one of the most iconic designs in postwar Danish lighting. Poul Henningsen conceived it in 1958 in response to the constant variations in the shape and size of light bulbs, applying his research on light control and distribution.

Its structure of overlapping shades prevents direct view of the light source and provides soft, uniform lighting, reducing glare from any angle. At the same time, the succession of discs and curved profiles creates a sculptural silhouette of great balance, where functionality and form are fully integrated. The PH 5 model is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Poul Henningsen was a Danish designer, architect, writer, and critic whose research on light transformed 20th-century lighting design. His long-standing collaboration with Louis Poulsen resulted in an innovative system of anti-glare shades and models that have become international benchmarks of modern design. His work is represented in collections such as that of MoMA in New York.