To honour Poul Henningsen’s legacy and ingenious work with light, Louis Poulsen is pleased to present a limited edition of his PH 3/2 Table lamp, originally designed in 1927. The exclusive new edition features Italian mouth-blown, amber-coloured glass shades and a brushed brass frame, and will only be available from 1 October to 31 December 2018.

The warmth and beauty of coloured glass

Louis Poulsen and Poul Henningsen initially introduced coloured glass lamps in the late 1920s to attract new customers. Then as now, the naturally varying colourations won people over with their warmth and individuality, highlighting the beauty of hand-craftsmanship. In 2017, Louis Poulsen brought back the classic amber-hued shades in the limited-edition PH 3½-3 pendant with a brass suspension. Now, Louis Poulsen is pleased to offer the warm, inviting colour scheme in the versatile and beloved PH 3/2 Table lamp.

“The amber-coloured glass accentuates the shade’s organic form. And because the glass of each lamp is crafted individually, each one varies ever so slightly from the others,” says Rasmus Markholt, Product & Design Director at Louis Poulsen. “This makes every limited-edition PH 3/2 Table lamp unique and as much a work of art as an ideal source of light. The colour scheme also reflects today’s retro trends and a growing desire to bring warm, metallic tones like gold and brass into contemporary interiors.”

The glass shades’ amber hue, glossy surface and sandblasted matt underside create a soft, evenly distributed glow. In addition to reflecting light downward and outward, the glass shades also allow it to penetrate upward, contributing to the overall room lighting. The resulting tone creates a warm, welcoming ambience and a sense of intimacy, reminiscent of the comforting effect of candlelight.

Even when unlit, the lamp continues to play a dynamic role in its environment, reflecting the surroundings off its surfaces. Its compact size makes the design ideal as an atmospheric side table or window lamp, a bedside reading lamp, or a desktop task lamp.

A union of signature Poul Henningsen elements

The PH 3/2 Table lamp features Poul Henningsen’s legendary three-shade system, which he developed in 1926. The first PH Table lamp was completed in early 1927 and launched as an alternative to low-pitched hanging lamps.

The frame of the new special-edition PH 3/2 Table lamp is based on that of a PH Table lamp from around 1927. Like all of the lamp’s metal parts, the frame is made of brass with a lightly brushed surface, the fine brush lines following the lamp’s contours and shape. The brass has been left untreated, allowing it to acquire a beautiful, unique patina over time, unless polished.

The light switch on the limited-edition PH 3/2 Table lamp can be traced back to Henningsen’s 1927 table lamps. Also made of brushed brass, the through-switch is located on the stem near the base. Henningsen’s initials are beautifully engraved beneath the switch.

The limited-edition PH 3/2 Table lamp will be available in stores from 1 October to December 31st, 2018.

About Poul Henningsen

The profoundly influential and daring designer, architect, author, and cultural critic Poul Henningsen left his mark on many areas of Danish thought and design, and built a legacy that remains integral to Louis Poulsen’s work to shape light.

Henningsen first saw electric light in 1907 and dedicated most of his life to taming and refining the phenomenon. His lifelong collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1924. Seeking to reduce glare and enhance illumination, Henningsen developed his revolutionary three-shade system in 1926, achieving softly diffused lighting that was pleasing to the eye and created more comfortable and inviting spaces for work and life. The designer’s partnership with Louis Poulsen went on to give the world such classics as the PH 5, the PH Artichoke, and the PH Snowball.

Henningsen’s pioneering work with the relationship between light structures, shadows, glare, and colour reproduction – and his fascination with the human need for both darkness and light – remain the foundation of Louis Poulsen’s lighting philosophy.