PH 2/1 Table from Louis Poulsen

Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system back in 1925-1926. The first lights using the system were designed by PH in cooperation with Louis Poulsen for an exhibition in Paris. This partnership continued right up until his death in 1967. Throughout his life, PH sought to create glare-free light, direct light where it was most needed, and create soft shadows, 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 – around a thousand different models have been produced over the years. 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.

There were countless combination options. The lights were available in different colours, as well as a range of sizes. The first shades were made of metal with a painted undersurface, such as white, gold or silver – depending on whether diffuse, warm or cold light was desired. Glass was later introduced for the three-shade system. In addition to the downward-directed light, glass lamps illuminated the room. PH was the first person to pursue a scientific approach to light and use the logarithmic spiral as a basis. By using a design based on the logarithmic spiral he achieved even distribution of light over the entire curve of the shade. This even light distribution, together with the diffuse reflection through the glass, made it possible to control glare and shadow. Each shade reduces the amount of light equally, due to their distance from the light source.

The PH lamp model numbers refer to the shade size. Each top shade had a corresponding set of middle and lower shades. In the ‘pure’ models, such as the 2/2, the top shade has a size of approximately 20 cm, with corresponding lower shades. PH 2/1 Table consists of a top shade of approximately 20 cm, but here lower shades are used from the 1/1 model. These ‘hybrid’ models were introduced due to the desire to hang pendants at lower heights. The system was, however, also used on table, floor and wall lamps.

The PH 2/1 Table lamp provides soft lighting. PH 2/1 is designed on the principle of a reflecting multi-shade system, creating harmonious and glare-free lighting. The shade design is based on a logarithmic spiral, with the centre of the light source placed in the spiral’s focal point.