POUL HENNINGSEN (Denmark, 1894 - 1967) for LOUIS POULSEN.
Ceiling lamp "Koglen" (Artichoke). Designed in 1957-1959 for the Langeliniepavillonen in Copenhagen.
With 72 copper leaves set on 12 chrome-plated steel arches. Complete with chrome-plated aluminium casing, wire suspension, white fabric rope, suspension pulley and canopy. Supplied with 1 x 200 watt bulb.
Made by Louis Poulsen.
Has marks of use.
Measurements: 60 cm (diameter).
The ceiling lamp 'Koglen' -or Artichoke- consists of 72 brushed steel leaves, placed on 12 chromed steel arches, which protect the light source, redirect and reflect the light onto the underlying leaves, providing a unique and distinctive 360 degrees of glare-free illumination. Complete with chrome-plated aluminium socket. The suspension is made of wire, white fabric cable, suspension braid and canopy. Supplied with 500 watt bulbs.
Poul Henningsen began his prolific career in lamp design in the early 20th century. In 1924, after 10 years of scientific study, he began working with Louis Poulsen on his unique shade system that aimed to produce a soft, warm, non-dazzling light.
The original Koglen shades were developed for the Langelinie Pavilion restaurant in Copenhagen. The PH Artichoke is a classic icon of 20th century Scandinavian design.
Danish designer, architect and critic, Poul Henningsen was one of the key figures in Danish cultural life in the interwar period. He studied architecture between 1911 and 1917, but never graduated as he decided to become an inventor and painter. Nevertheless, he worked as an architect and became one of the most prominent advocates of functionalism. In his career as a designer, his most famous creation was the "PH Artichoke" lamp, a simple lamp that used contrasts of light to avoid glare and create a beautiful aesthetic effect. Its success enabled Henningsen to finance his later work. He is currently represented at the Danish Museum of Art and Design, the MoMA in New York and the Victoria & Albert in London, among many others.