The name Poul Henningsen is synonymous with the best and most innovative modern Scandinavian lamps and other lighting. The Danish designer created a signature vocabulary of fixtures with tiered and layered shades in sculptural arrangements that are at once naturalistic and geometric.
Henningsen grew up in a town on the outskirts of Copenhagen and studied architecture at the Technical University of Denmark. He would become a noted art critic, journalist and screenwriter, but his first love was lighting design.
Henningsen’s childhood home was illuminated by oil lamps. When his family switched to electrified lighting, he was alarmed and repelled by the harsh glare cast by an incandescent bulb, and in his late teens he began conducting quasi-scientific experiments to measure which materials and methods best diffused or reflected light to give it a warm brightness. His work came to the attention of the lighting-fixtures firm Louis Poulsen, which sponsored the development of a prototype lamp. The design won a gold medal at the 1925 Paris Expositions Internationales des Arts Decóratifs et Industriels Modernes — from which the term Art Deco derives. The lamp, whose three-part shade is said to be inspired by the arrangement of a dinner plate atop a soup bowl atop a teacup, became the basis for Henningsen’s most successful design, the PH 4/3 desk lamp.
All told, Henningsen would design some 100 lighting fixtures in his career. Some of his most notable creations are hanging lamps, which include the Septima (1929), a pendant composed of seven graduated frosted-glass layers; the Spiral (1942), made of a single ribbon of enameled aluminum; and the Artichoke lamp (1958), whose 70 glass or metal fins in a staggered and graduated arrangement on a central steel frame resemble those of its namesake. The last is likely Henningsen’s masterwork and an icon of mid-20th-century design. Like all Henningsen lighting designs, it is striking, sculptural and — thanks to his insistence on the primacy of the quality of the light cast — superbly functional.
Find a collection of authentic Poul Henningsen table lamps, floor lamps and other lighting on 1stDibs.
PH Dressing Table in steel - with elegant drawers and optional mirror with light
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Dressing Table in steel with the PH Mirror reinterprets Poul Henningsen’s 1919 dressing table for a contemporary, steel framed expression. Light in presence yet strong in cons...
Steel, Chrome
PH Dressing Table, black oak veneer, white ash wood drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Luxurious as well as practical and functional, the PH Dressing Table is the perfect place to take a moment for oneself every day. Timelessly elegant, the Poul Henningsen designed Dressing Table will sit harmoniously in every bedroom and is set to become a design classic of the future. Designed in 1919, the PH Dressing Table is the first piece of furniture designed by Poul Henningsen. The body rests on the edges of eight legs and makes a clear design distinction between what is carrying and what is being carried. It is a beauty floating or dancing on high heels, like a ballerina dancing, yet at any time standing strong and solid on her many legs...
Wood, Oak
PH Office Desk, Chrome, Black Painted Polished, Leather on Panles, Satin Matt
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bold and colorful, this desk will add style and character too your working day. Poul Henningsen designed this masterpiece in 1935. A harmony of striking aesthetics and practicality, PH’s design features a desktop painted in high gloss, six swing drawers, panels covered in leather, together with chromed legs. The story behind this avant-garde design is simply that Poul Henningsen wished to create an alternative to the traditional wooden desk, designed to capture the imagination of the user beyond the use of standard design and materials. The PH office desk...
Leather, Wood
PH Office Desk, Red Painted, Emerald Green Leather, Chrome, Satin Matte Drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bold and colorful, this desk will add style and character too your working day. Poul Henningsen designed this masterpiece in 1935. A harmony of striking aesthetics and practicality, PH’s design features a desktop painted in high gloss, six swing drawers, panels covered in leather, together with chromed legs. The story behind this avant-garde design is simply that Poul Henningsen wished to create an alternative to the traditional wooden desk, designed to capture the imagination of the user beyond the use of standard design and materials. The PH office desk...
Leather, Wood
PH Grand Dressing Table, brass legs, natural oak veneer, white ash wood drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Designed in 1920 by Poul Henningsen (PH), the PH Grand Dressing Table is the larger relative of the PH Dressing Table, sharing all of the beautiful design features of its narrower co...
Brass
PH Dressing Table, mahogany veneer, white ash wood drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Luxurious as well as practical and functional, the PH Dressing Table is the perfect place to take a moment for oneself every day. Timelessly elegant, the Poul Henningsen designed Dressing Table will sit harmoniously in every bedroom and is set to become a design classic of the future. Designed in 1919, the PH Dressing Table is the first piece of furniture designed by Poul Henningsen. The body rests on the edges of eight legs and makes a clear design distinction between what is carrying and what is being carried. It is a beauty floating or dancing on high heels, like a ballerina dancing, yet at any time standing strong and solid on her many legs...
Wood, Mahogany
PH Office Desk, Chrome, Mahogany Venee, Red Satin Matt, Solid Wood Edges
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bold and colorful, this desk will add style and character too your working day. Poul Henningsen designed this masterpiece in 1935. A harmony of striking aesthetics and practicality, PH’s design features a desktop painted in high gloss, six swing drawers, panels covered in leather, together with chromed legs. The story behind this Avant Garde design is simply that Poul Henningsen wished to create an alternative to the traditional wooden desk, designed to capture the imagination of the user beyond the use of standard design and materials. The PH office desk...
Mahogany
PH Grand Dressing Table, brass legs, black oak veneer, white ash wood drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Designed in 1920 by Poul Henningsen (PH), the PH Grand Dressing Table is the larger relative of the PH Dressing Table, sharing all of the beautiful design features of its narrower co...
Brass
PH Office Desk, Chrome, Natural Oak Veneer, Green Satin Matt, Plywood Edges
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bold and colorful, this desk will add style and character too your working day. Poul Henningsen designed this masterpiece in 1935. A harmony of striking aesthetics and practicality, PH’s design features a desktop painted in high gloss, six swing drawers, panels covered in leather, together with chromed legs. The story behind this Avant Garde design is simply that Poul Henningsen wished to create an alternative to the traditional wooden desk, designed to capture the imagination of the user beyond the use of standard design and materials. The PH office desk...
Oak
PH Dressing Table, Natural Oak Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Luxurious as well as practical and functional, the PH dressing table is the perfect place to take a moment for oneself every day. Timelessly elegant, the Poul Henningsen designed Dressing Table will sit harmoniously in every bedroom and is set to become a design Classic of the future. Designed in 1919, the PH dressing table is the first piece of furniture designed by Poul Henningsen. The body rests on the edges of eight legs and makes a clear design distinction between what is carrying and what is being carried. It is a beauty floating or dancing on high heels, like a ballerina dancing, yet at any time standing strong and solid on her many legs...
Wood, Oak
PH Grand Dressing Table, Brass Legs, Mahogany Veneer, White Ashwood Drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Designed in 1920 by Poul Henningsen (PH), the PH grand dressing table is the larger relative of the PH dressing table, sharing all of the beautiful design features of its narrower co...
Brass
$3,137Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.91 in W 54.34 in D 30.52 in
Stunning Black Lacquered Polychrome Painted Writing Table Desk Birds Flowers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely black lacquered hand polychrome painted vintage writing table with birds and flowers A very good looking and decorative piece, made...
Wood
$3,630
H 29.53 in W 50.79 in D 27.17 in
Elegant early 20th century writing desk with brass details and three drawers
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant early 20th century writing desk crafted in hardwood and inspired by the refined lines of the Louis XVI period. The desk features three drawers across the front, slender flut...
Brass
Gala ash wood structure and veneer cover Desk
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Gala desk exhibits wood as the principal material. Composed of solid wood legs and wood veneer top and cabinet with three drawers, this desk is the ideal element for any space th...
Wood
$6,800
H 44 in W 32 in D 20 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Box Wooton Desk Table File Cabinet Organizer Mint
By Hans J. Wegner, Peter Hvidt
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern teak box wooton desk table file cabinet organizer mint!
Teak
$1,838Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 57.09 in D 29.53 in
Italian Office Teak Desk in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1960's
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Mid-Century Teak and Cherry Wood Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s Refined Italian Office Teak Desk in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, manufactured in Italy i...
Brass
$6,031
H 30.71 in W 44.49 in D 12.21 in L 30.71 in
Midcentury Modern Wall-Mounted Oak Dressing Table from Luxus, Sweden, 1960s
By Luxus Vittsjö, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool wall dressing table by Uno and Östen Kristiansson, made from oak. Elegant decorative details in the joinery and the sculpted handles on the drawers. Several drawers in different...
Mirror, Oak
Art Deco TV chest of drawers
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art deco chest of drawers after renovation , simple and nice art deco chest of drawers :) The furniture dates back to the 1940s and comes from a hotel. We also have many other pi...
Walnut
$15,147 / item
H 41.34 in W 53.15 in D 17.72 in
Booleanos Dresser 3 Drawers, Chest of Drawers in Warm Wood Veneer, Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Booleanos Dresser 3 Drawers, Chest of Drawers in Warm Wood Veneer, Joel Escalona Each piece of the Booleanos collection recreates an optical illusion that blurs the line between two...
Wood, Plywood
$9,500
H 30.71 in W 39.38 in D 22.45 in
Desk and Dressing Table, with Mirror Style of Ulrich, circa 1936, Vanity Table
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Guglielmo Ulrich manner desk and dressing table; Desk in walnut, elm and elm burl. Feet in golden brass A wonderful and very useful desk repr...
Brass
$4,500
H 30 in W 52 in D 20 in
Louis XV Style Auffray and Co Black Desk with Leather Top and Bronze Mounts
By Auffray Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XV French style black lacquered desk from the mid 20th century by maker Auffray and Co, with leather top, gilt accents, bronze mounts and three drawers. Created during the Midcentury period, this black lacquer desk, made by Auffray and Co furniture, showcases the stylistic characteristics of the Louis XV era. The desk features a rectangular serpentine top fitted with black leather and gilt accents, sitting above an elegant apron. Three drawers, with bronze Rococo style hardware and gilded accents, present sinuous lines mimicking the apron's lines. The table is raised on four elegant cabriole legs with bronze feet. One of the drawers conceals the maker's label reading Fine French Furniture by Auffray and Co, inc. 921 Third Ave., NYC. With its Louis XV lines and black and gold colors, this French style desk...
Bronze
Vintage Neoclassical Dressing Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage neoclassical dressing table, vanity, desk or night table has gilt detailing, fluted legs, brass pulls and curved stretchers. Dr...
Wood
$45,000
H 56 in W 39.5 in D 24.75 in
Viennese Flame Birch Veneer and Ebony Ormolu Dressing Table, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Viennese flame birch veneered dressing table with flanking bronze eagle capitals mounted on ebony columns supporting an adjustable oval veneered framed mirror, centered drawer with b...
Bronze, Ormolu
$18,956
H 28.15 in W 70.87 in D 16.54 in
Dressing Table / Vanity / Bureau in Rosewood and Brass by Frode Holm, 1950's
By Frode Holm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dressing Table / Vanity / Bureau in Rosewood and Brass by Frode Holm, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Illum Bol...
Brass
1940 Style Mirror Dressing Table with 6 Drawers
Located in Marseille, FR
1940 Style mirror dressing table 6 height drawers (mirror) 161 cm. Total width 111 cm and depth of 88 cm. note that a handful is missing. Additional information: Style: 40s 60s ...
Glass
English Inlaid Mahogany Dressing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
This antique mahogany dressing table has acquired a rich patina over the years as the mahogany has warmed to a rich honey brown. The to...
Mahogany, Ebony, Satinwood