Glamtiques: PH 5 Pendant

Born in Copenhagen in 1894, Poul Henningsen had a major impact on Danish thinking and design. Known for his work as a writer, journalist and architect, the main focus of his career was on lighting design. He drew the models for his first PH lamps in collaboration with Louis Poulsen in 1924, where he developed the famous three-shade system.

When creating this design, he was inspired by his mother's wish to have softer, gentler light at a time when incandescent bulbs and light fixtures were more utilitarian than aesthetic. His goal: to create lamps that would shape light, making it functional, pleasant and glare-free. Henningsen's revolutionary approach and decades of inspired lighting objects helped make Louis Poulsen synonymous with innovative lighting design.

Introduced in 1958, the PH 5 is like a beautiful sculpture whether turned on or off - a testament to Henningsen's life-long efforts to balance function and form. Consisting of five shades, the pendant evenly illuminates spaces with glare-free light. Most of this shines downward, while the rest gently illuminates the fixture itself. Interior anti-glare rings and reflectors produce a warm glow that complements the daily progression of natural light.

An instant success when launched in 1958, the PH 5 is still Louis Poulson's most successful lighting design to date. An adorable miniature version of the pendant was also introduced in 2017. To celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2018, Louis Poulson released a new version of the lamp in a number of delightful colors. Whether on its own or in a group, the PH 5 brings a timeless aesthetic and gorgeous, yet functional light to every space.