This is a high quality reproduction of design by Poal Henningsen in 1958, the Artichoke Lamp is a classic example of how the structure of everyday furnishings was approached with both form and function in mind. Providing illumination from an elementary incandescent light bulb, the lamp has the ability of radiating indirect light in all directions, eliminating direct light and glare entirely. The lamp consists of multiple staggered layers of louvers or leaves which obscure the light source, reflecting and refracting light onto one another to provide a warm glow emanating around it. Unlit, the light takes the shape of an artichoke or flower – hence its name – and was part of the attraction of art-like designs from the period. With the light on, the Artichoke lamp remains visually appealing with its leaves sparkling from the diffused light. The lamp is ceiling-mounted and is adjustable to 60”. It is available in a silver or white finish. Poul Henningsen couldn’t really call himself an architect, but he absorbed the popular architectural mantra called “functionalism”, being debated in high-level circles of the heavy hitters. Agreeing that it was not enough that something worked, it needed to function most efficiently first, he began his quest to prove his theory when he designed the PH-Lamp in 1925.

He justified the unhappy aesthetics by calling it a “simple lamp which used the breakings of light.” From this modest beginning he moved forward, determined to find a design that satisfied him in terms of how a lamp could function light under the most favorable of conditions—to his way of thinking—glare free. Experimenting with several arrangements of “louvers” that interrupted the light in the same way that protruding rocks will redirect water in a stream, PH (as he is known) began to see how light itself could be redirected. His artichoke light was the breakthrough he needed to prove his theory that a lamp could reach a high degree of function without causing glare. The PH artichoke light pendant turned out to be a 360-degree glare free luminaire festooned with a number of leaves. By interrupting the light source, to redirect and reflect the light onto the underlying leaves, he manipulated the large pieces of light into smaller pieces which, if taken by themselves would be inadequate, but eventually reassembled allowed adequate lumens to be broadcast without glare. It was the technological breakthrough that he was looking for. Now he could work on the aesthetics. The first model was a bit awkward and somewhat industrial, but Henningsen kept working the concept until he had an artichoke lamp that worked to his specifications and projected a handsome design. This time the leaves had a graceful look, and as they cascaded down to a gentle taper, he had managed to completely conceal the light source.

The design does resemble an artichoke ; however the leaves have a separation that allows the light to flow through and spill down the leaves. A chrome inner diffuser provides further in reflecting the light where it needs to flow. A common incandescent lamp is all that’s required to use in the artichoke light, but if the owner prefers a high-powered halogen, xenon, or metal halide for a light source, the artichoke light pendant will easily accommodate the preference. Since its introduction in 1958, the artichoke lamp has become a favorite of modern furnishings enthusiasts and, interestingly enough, the lamp in a proper color will also fit into a more traditional furnishings scheme as well. It is interesting to contemplate how a mind like Henningsen’s, that began by working a technical problem, could produce a design that so pleases aesthetic sensitivities. As a true example in the art of modernism, Poul Henningsen’s Artichoke Lamp is certainly one that aims to intrigue. The name suggests a small vegetable, the artichoke, that’s attached to a light bulb. Thankfully however, the name merely relates to the general shape of the item. It is your typical lamp setup, a hanging stand in which a bulb is installed. Usually the actual bulb is covered and decorated with a shade of some sort.

The Ph Artichoke Lamp has multiple plates of metal branching outwards and overlaping, representing leaves, vaguely showing the outline of the artichoke, hence the name. The leaves also serve a more practical purpose than merely being visually stimulating. Placed precisely, the lamp is designed to partition light in a unique pattern in order to provide a completely glare-free illumination. This also comes with a certain dilemma. The actual lamp is extremely heavy, which is why the base is fastened unto the ceiling with stainless steel aircraft cables connecting it to the lamp. Using the human fascination with everything intricate and love artichokes, Poul Henningsen’s PH Artichoke lamp is definitely one to consider for the home or office. The Artichoke pendant lamp was initially designed for the Langelinie Pavillonen restaurant in Copenhagen. Since then, it has gained international popularity and has become an iconic design to many. Though sought after, the average consumer may find acquiring one quite difficult, a couple tens of thousands so. In order to maintain quality, most of the lamps are hand-made. Most are made with copper that are coated and finished with stainless steel or various metals. The finer pieces are crafted stainless steel which is the reason that the price sky rockets. Even so, Artichoke Lamp replicas or reproductions place it more within grasp. With a slight lesser quality of material, The Artichoke Lamp can fill a home with intrigue and complexity.

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