PH Artichoke (1958) is a 360-degree glare free luminaire created by 72 leaves, which shield the light source, redirect and reflect the light onto the underlying leaves, giving distinct, unique illumination. The PH Artichoke is considered to be a classical masterpiece made by Poul Henningsen more than 40 years ago. The structure is made of twelve steel arches. On this structure PH placed 72 "leaves" in twelve circular rows with six blades in each row. Because each row is staggered from the previous, all 72 leaves are able to "cover for each other".
This design allows viewing the fixture from any angle without being able to see the light source located in the center of the PH Artichoke. The original PH Artichokes were developed for a restaurant in Copenhagen called the Langelinie Pavilion, and they are still hanging there today.
Materials:
The Artichoke Pendent comes brushed stainless steel with laser-cut steel leaves to produces shape lines reflective of modern design. It is mounted by stainless steel cables to hold the weight of the light.
This item will require some easy assembly and available in white. Bulb is not included.
Diameter: 58cm Price:£ 459.00
Poul Henningsen
Poul Henningsen (1894-1967)
Danish architect Poul Henningsen, known by his initials, PH was obsessed with light. He is the legendary creator of the lighting series carrying his name. He can be said to be the world’s first lighting architect.
Poul Henningsen devoted his entire career to investigating the importance of light for our well being. He worked on the theory that the observer should not be subjected to direct glare from the electric light source. Henningsen used a series of layered shades to both spread the light and conceal the light bulb, thus creating a softer more diffused lighting.
Already in the 1910’s, as a student, he made his first drawings for the PH-lamp. In this period, electricity was installed in Danish homes and traditional oil lamps were abandoned.
In 1925, the first PH-lamp was shown at the World Expo in Paris. Poul Henningsen patented his shade system in 1926. From this year until the early 1930’s the PH-lighting was marked patented.
In 1958 Henningsen produced yet another classic the majestic Artichoke lamp. Based on the same principle as the multilayered shade, the Artichoke employs leaf-like elements to compose the form. With its grand size, the Artichoke creates dramatic atmospheric lighting appropriate for elegant commercial settings and larger domestic spaces.
To this day the PH lamp remains one of the finest attempts to design the perfect incandescent lamp fitting. What was perceived as a radical new way of thinking in terms of both technology and design, today still shows us what good lighting is — in a design that is still absolutely modern.
