Poul Henningsen, “PH Academy” Chandelier

Tina Jørstain and Poul Erik Munk Nielsen, eds., Light Years Ahead: The Story of the PH Lamp, Copenhagen, 2000, p. 162 (for a related example)

Dansk Møbelkunst, Møbeldesign: PH Lamper 1926-1962, Copenhagen, 2004, pp. 16-17

TF Chan, Louis Poulsen: First House of Light, London, 2024, pp. 33 (for a sketch of the present model)

The three-armed "PH Academy" fitting chandelier was designed in 1927 and consists of metal shades painted green on the outside, with brass on the inside and a bronze socket. The three arms extend with a gentle slope from the central rod and under the sockets and shades, creating a uniquely architectural design. The “Academy” ceiling lamps were designed for private homes and available in 4/3 and 3/2 shade combinations. The present example is particularly special as the shades appear to retain their original green patina, beautifully complementing the aged metal surfaces.  

The “PH” lighting system proved to be the most popular as early as the mid-1920s and most frequently used for public and commercial buildings. Its unusual design and ingenious construction were indeed perceived as too experimental for domestic usage. Henningsen therefore started producing chandeliers using the “PH” system, including the present model with three upward lights, which would prove useful for such areas of the house as the dining room and kitchen requiring more than one source of light.   

In the winter of 1929 and spring of 1930, a new and extensive range of PH lamps was developed specifically for the domestic market. A large selection of new types of fittings in different sizes were launched onto the market and the original bracket and table lamps were supplemented with a series of smaller so-called miniatures for bedside tables, shelves or the piano. The present chandelier illustrates this transitional moment in Henningsen’s approach to lighting and shifting concerns towards the realm of the private home.