Louis Poulsen Ph 2/1 Suspension lamp 22 cm white - chrome

Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system in 1925-1926. The first lights to use this system were designed by Poul Henningsen in collaboration with Louis Poulsen for an exhibition in Paris. This collaboration continued until his death in 1967. Throughout his life, Poul Henningsen sought to achieve glare-free, direct lighting in key areas, creating soft shadows with incandescent bulbs as the light source. PH 2/1 Pendant is part of the 3-shade family that now comprises 30 lights, including three for outdoor use. Henningsen therefore did not just design a light, but an entire system: around a thousand different models were produced over the years. This large collection consisted of table, floor and wall lamps, as well as several chandeliers, which were very popular in the 1930s for lighting private homes with high ceilings. Numerous combination options were possible. The lights were available in different colours and sizes. The first shades were made of metal, with the underlying surface painted white, gold or silver, depending on whether the desired lighting was warm and inviting or cooler. Glass was later introduced into the three-shade system. In addition to directing light downwards, glass lamps illuminated the entire room. Henningsen was the first designer to take a scientific approach to lighting, using the lituus or logarithmic spiral as a basis. With this design, Henningsen was able to achieve an even distribution of light over the entire curve of the shade. This even distribution, together with the diffuse reflection through the glass, allowed glare and shadows to be controlled. Each shade reduces the amount of light by the same amount due to their distance from the light source. The model numbers of the PH lamp refer to the size of the shade. Each upper shade has a corresponding middle and lower shade. In “pure” models, such as the 2/2 model, the upper shade is approximately 20 cm wide, with corresponding lower shades. The PH 2/1 Sospensione consists of an upper shade of approximately 20 cm, but the lower shades are those used in the 1/1 model. These “hybrid” models were introduced to allow pendant lamps to be hung at lower heights.

Lighting system

The fixture has been designed according to the principle of three reflective shades that direct most of the light downwards. The shades are made of three-layer blown opal glass, polished on the upper part and sandblasted matt on the lower part, and offer a soft and uniform distribution of light.

Product details

Source 1x20W E14

Finishes

Material: blown opal white glass shades with polished chrome-plated aluminium suspensions. Canopy: yes. Cable length: 3 m Cable type: black fabric

Dimensions and measurements

Dimensions (mm):200 (Width) x 140 (Height) x 200 (Length) Weight:0.7 kg

Mounting

Suspension type: 2x0.75mm² cable. Canopy: included. Cable length: 3m.

POUL HENNINGSEN

The hugely influential Danish designer, architect, writer and cultural critic Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) has had a huge impact on Danish thinking and design. His legacy as an original master of light is an integral part of the Louis Poulsen tradition of creating exceptional light.