
PH 2/1 Table Lamp by Louis Poulsen
Poul Henningsen drew the models for his first PH lamps in collaboration with Louis Poulsen in 1924, where he developed the famous three-shade system. He was not primarily driven by the wish of designing aesthetic lamps, but instead to create the optimal light, to create a lampshade that emitted a functional, pleasant, and glare-free light. His work with Louis Poulsen continued until his death in 1967 and throughout his life, PH sought to create glare-free lighting, aiming to direct light where it was most needed and creating soft shadows while using incandescent bulbs as a light source. PH 2/1 Table is a member of the 3-shade family which numbers 30 lamps today, including three for outdoor use. Thus PH did not just design a light, but an entire system. This wide selection consisted of table, floor and wall lamps, as well as a number of different chandeliers - which were very popular in the 1930s for lighting private homes from high ceilings. PH was the first person to pursue a scient