PH 5 Pendant

Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1958.

The PH 5 is the most commercially successful lamp Louis Poulsen has ever produced, and among the most recognized objects in the history of Scandinavian design. Poul Henningsen designed it in 1958 as the definitive resolution of a problem he had been working on since the 1920s: how to create a lamp that eliminates glare entirely while producing light that is warm, directional, and free of harsh shadows. The solution — a precisely calculated system of five shades arranged on a logarithmic spiral — ensures that the light source is never visible from any angle below the horizontal, while the concave undersides of the shades reflect a warm, diffused glow onto the surfaces below.

The PH 5 is available in a wide range of finishes including classic white, multi-colour (a tribute to Henningsen’s original palette), copper, and various lacquered options. A small red inner shade and blue auxiliary shade correct the colour temperature of the light, adding warmth and preventing the blue cast typical of early fluorescent sources. The proportions and shade geometry have remained essentially unchanged since 1958. The current version ships with an integrated LED source. It is among the most specified pendant lamps in Scandinavian and international residential and hospitality design.

About the Designer

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish author, critic, architect, and designer whose collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1924. His systematic investigation of the optics of light diffusion — published as a series of technical papers — established the intellectual foundation for modern glare-free lighting design. His works are held in museum collections worldwide.

Specifications

Designer: Poul Henningsen

Year: 1958

Manufacturer: Louis Poulsen, Denmark

Material: Spun aluminum shades, steel suspension

Finishes: White, Multi, Copper, and additional lacquered options

Dimensions: Ø 50 cm × H 33 cm

Light source: Integrated LED (E26 in some configurations)

Cord length: 3 m (adjustable)

Country of manufacture: Denmark

Warranty: 5 years (Louis Poulsen)

Lead time: 10–14 weeks from order confirmation.

Available Through Le Belle Arti

Le Belle Arti is an authorized Louis Poulsen dealer serving Edmonton and Calgary. Contact us at info@lebellearti.com or visit either showroom to confirm finish availability and pricing.

For full specifications, materials, and configuration options, visit the Louis Poulsen official website.

Material: Aluminium | Light source: LED | Year: 1958 | Style: Pendant | Collection: PH 5

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish architect, author, and designer, and the most significant figure in Scandinavian lighting design. His PH (Poul Henningsen) lamp system, developed in the 1920s, was the first designed specifically to eliminate glare and diffuse light evenly in all directions without a visible light source. The PH 5, Artichoke, and AJ lamps remain the most celebrated designs in Danish design history.

Interior designers, architects, and developers may qualify for trade pricing.

Apply for our trade program or contact us to discuss a project.