The PH5 Lamp is the most popular of all designs by Poul Henningsen. It is estimated that one in every two homes in Denmark is fitted with a PH5 Lamp and it's easy to understand why. The shade features three conical layers with matt undersides, which direct light downwards and prevent glare. The addition of red and blue reflectors gives the light an incredibly warm quality, which brings a softer ambience to rooms. The shade is made from spun aluminium bringing a Scandinavian style to any room.
Perhaps the most recognizable of all the Poul Henningsen lights, the PH5 gets its name from the 50cm diameter of its top shade. The PH5 was designed in 1958 and showcased at the'Glass, Light and Colours' exhibition in the Danish Museum of Art and Design in Copenhagen. Henningsen originally saw it as a novelty light, in which 'you can put anything - glow worms, Christmas lights and 100 watt metal filament bulbs.' Little did he know that it was this stylishly presented versatility that made the PH5 Lamp the icon of modern design it is today.
1894-1967 (Denmark)
Often said to be the first lighting architect, Danish designer, Poul Henningsen devoted much of his life to exploring the importance of light for well-being. Believing people should not be subject to the direct glare of an electrical light source, he focused on creating lamps that produced glare-free illumination. His self-titled PH series was his most famous collection and included the PH 3/2 Table Lamp, the PH Artichoke, the PH5 and PH 3½ - 2½ Floor Lamp.
"The technician should never forget that he is an artist, the artist never that he is a technician."
Sign up now to our newsletter and get 30$ off your first order, access to exclusive offers and giveaways, style tips, design news and interior inspiration.