PH 5/5

Designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen

Denmark, 1930s

Poul Henningsen, the renowned Danish designer, created hundreds of lamps based on his groundbreaking three-shade system developed in 1926. This innovative design achieved unmatched light quality, tailored to a wide range of needs. Many of his iconic lamp models feature numbers in their names, indicating the precise shade sizes used in each fixture.

The PH 5/5 pendant lamp is considered a “full-size” model, distinguished by its harmonious proportions and warm, glare-free light. The top shade measures approximately 50 cm and is perfectly balanced with the middle and lower shades in the 3:2:1 ratio, creating the lamp’s characteristic compact yet inviting glow.

Henningsen’s rational lighting system also emphasized the choice of materials and finishes, carefully designed to control glare and shadow. By 1929, he was combining timeless materials such as copper and opal glass, further refining both function and aesthetics to deliver the highest possible light quality.

This rare version of the PH 5/5 pendant lamp was created specifically for the decoration of the Kragelund apartment. It is crafted in frosted glass with a spiral decoration hand-painted by Axel Salto, one of Denmark’s most celebrated artists and ceramicists. The unique collaboration between Poul Henningsen’s visionary lighting design and Axel Salto’s decorative artistry makes this piece not only a functional lighting solution but also a highly collectible work of Danish design history.