Its name is Artichoke and has a generous pine cone shape. The PH Artichoke pendant lamp, designed in 1958 by Poul Henningsen, is one of the most iconic lights of the 20th century. Still produced by the famous Danish manufacturer Louis Poulsen, it crosses the ages without ever going out of style..
The Story
Poul Henningsen imagined the PH Artichoke pendant lamp in 1958 for the Langelinie Pavilion, a modernist restaurant in Copenhagen where you can still admire it. His design was inspired by the glass suspension Septima, an intricately refined seven glass shades, the prototype of which he presented in 1928 at the Danish Museum of Decorative Arts. The designer dresses the Artichoke with carefully arranged metal slats with a copper finish on the outside and pink on the inside, an ingenious process ensuring uniform and indirect diffusion of light. Whatever the angle of view, the suspension diffuses a soft and pleasant light, an obsession of the designer who sought to recreate the characteristic light of oil lamps.
A masterpiece of ingenuity and design, the suspension structure is made with twelve steel arches. On this structure, Poul Henningsen placed 72 sheets of copper, and six blades on each row. Each level being staggered in relation to the previous one, the 72 sheets can cover each other. This design allows for the proper spread of light without ever being dazzled.
« PH Artichoke is still partially assembled by hand to guarantee a high level of quality. »
PH Artichoke is still partially assembled by hand today to guarantee a high level of quality. Over time, versions in brushed and polished steel, brass and white and black metal have been added to the catalog. These continue to underline the versatility and timeless silhouette of the suspension.
Specifications
Retailed in France at Silvera
Poul Henningsen (1894-1967)
Poul Henningsen, born in Copenhagen in September 1894, is the "illegitimate" son of Danish actress Agnes Henningsen and writer Carl Ewald. He grew up in a modernist and intellectual environment. He studied at the Technical School in Frederiksberg, Denmark, from 1911 to 1914, then at the Technical University of Copenhagen from 1914 to 1917, without ever graduating in architecture. Independent, he began a journalistic career, tried his hand at literary criticism and even tried the cinematographic adventure before the Second World War. He oriented himself towards traditional functionalist architecture, but ended up devoting himself almost exclusively to lighting, an activity from which he would draw his glory. He signs all his creations with his initials - and his nickname - PH and all of his works have been exclusively manufactured by the Danish company Louis Poulsen since 1924.
picture credit © louis poulsen
