PH 5 Pendant

Overview

Louis Poulsen makes the PH 5, which the product page dates to 1958, by Poul Henningsen (1894-1967). The page says the PH 5 is based on his three-shade system and that its pyramid-like fixture effuses both descending and lateral light to illuminate itself, so that the light is soft, rich and completely glare-free.

Construction

The Other information block of the orange-hue PH 5 lists:

• Hues of Orange, matt lacquered with white inner sides
• Blue anti-glare shade
• Bronze, rolled aluminium struts
• 10 ft white fabric cord, canopy included; cULus, dry location The page adds that each lamp is partially assembled by hand in Denmark.

Specifications

• Size & measurements block: 19.5 (width) × 10.5 (height) × 19.5 (length) in, weight 8.8 lbs (Ø 495 × H 267 mm); the page text gives the PH 5 500 as 19.7 inches
• PH 5 500: E27 socket; PH 5 300: 11.8 inches, E14 socket
• Light source in the block: 1 × A-21 bulb (medium base)

Capturing the golden hour

Danish writer, designer and architect Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) had a vision to capture the golden hour, says Louis Poulsen. In 1958 he created the PH 5 in response to incandescent bulbs, their changing shapes and sizes and the consequent risk of glare. The result, the page says, was a versatile lamp that could accommodate any bulb and soon became the PH lamp in Denmark, used in public buildings and private homes.

Red and blue shades removed

The PH 5 initially incorporated shades in red and blue to improve the light's colour. In later designs these were taken out, as the page says modern light sources replicate daylight more successfully than before.