Poul Henningsen

POUL HENNINGSEN (Denmark, 1894 - 1967).
Upright Piano "PH Upright Piano", 1940s.
Wood.
With casters.
Celluloid and ebony keys.
Fully refurbished by a professional pianist.
Very rare.
Measurements: 110 x 142 x 56 cm.

Throughout his career, the Danish architect and designer Poul Henningsen created four piano models: the PH Grand Piano, the PH Bow Grand Piano, the PH Pianette and the PH Upright Piano. The latter, the upright piano, is the model we are bidding for.

This rare and coveted example of the PH Upright Piano, designed in 1939 and initially manufactured by Andreas Christensen in the 1940s, boasts a minimalist yet singular design, combining a rectangular back frame with a body that is subtracted from all edges, playing with curve and smooth transition.

Originally made of black lacquered wood, the version we show, although vintage, opts for a solid wood with a beautiful grain that underlines the quality of the design.

Its signature design sets it apart from the typical traditional piano and represents yet another example of Henningsen's ability to redefine conventions and create timeless works that inspire.

The four models he made are uniquely designed, ranging from modern to futuristic, and are considered unique works of art that are considered classics. Henningsen believed that the piano belonged not only in the concert hall, but also in the jazz club or private home. Therefore, among the four different models, there is a PH piano that fits perfectly in any environment or interior.

In line with Henningsen's innovative design philosophy, his first piano design, the grand piano, the PH Grand Piano of 1931, broke all the rules. With brass legs and a transparent celluloid case that revealed the piano's mechanics, it was a revolutionary creation for its time. Today, the piece is represented in major design collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The PH upright piano, more adaptable to any interior because of its more discreet dimensions, is as suitable as a musical instrument for music lovers as it is an artistic piece for the home.

Poul Kjærholm was a Danish designer trained at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen, where he entered in 1952 after beginning his apprenticeship with the cabinetmaker Gronbech in 1948. Since the mid-fifties he worked for his friend EjvindKoldChristiansen, a businessman who always gave him total creative freedom. In his earliest creations, such as his PKO plywood furniture series, his strong personality is already evident. In 1958 he attracted international attention with his contribution to the "Formes Scandinaves" exhibition in Paris, and in the same year he won the Lunning Prize for his PK 22 chair. In 1957 and 1960 he was awarded the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale, and in 1959 he was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. In 1973 he was appointed director of the Danish Design Institute, where he taught from 1976. Today his designs are held in leading design collections, including those of the Victoria & ALbert Museum in London and the MOMA in New York.