PH Snowball

Overview

The PH Snowball was designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958; the page says it was exhibited together with the PH 5 at the Danish Museum of Decorative Art, received no particular attention on that occasion and was only re-launched and manufactured from 1983. The pendant is described as a series of concave, circular rings surrounding a central light source, with thin chrome-plated vertical struts. The fixture provides 100% glare-free light.

Construction

• Shades of white spun aluminium, 0.8 mm thick; wet painted outside in White, Dusty Blue, Dusty Green or Soft White, and wet painted white on the inner side
• Frame: brass metallised die-cast zinc, or high lustre chrome plated die-cast aluminium
• Socket: porcelain, medium base; its position is adjustable to allow correct lamp position
• 12 ft white fabric-covered cord, canopy included; mounts onto a 4 inch octagonal outlet box

Specifications

• Size: Ø 399 × H 391 mm (15.7 × 15.4 in), weight 9.9 lbs
• Light source: E26 socket for all colours; the white version can also be ordered with a built-in LED, 3000K or 3000-1800K dim-to-warm
• LED variants: 20-42 W, 894-1,085 lm, Ra ≥ 90, 0-10V or phase dimming; cULus, dry location, IP20

Exhibited in 1958, re-launched in 1983

Louis Poulsen's page says Poul Henningsen designed the Snowball in 1958 and that it was exhibited together with the PH 5 at the Danish Museum of Decorative Art. It received no particular attention then and was only re-launched and manufactured from 1983; the page adds that it was initially overshadowed by the PH Artichoke and PH 5 and has since been embraced as a symbol of Danish design legacy.

Every surface at the same angle

According to the product description, the geometry is based on the principle of illuminating all surfaces at the same angle, which lights the walls, ceiling and floor uniformly. The light description says the matte lower surfaces of the rings diffuse the light and the glossy upper surfaces provide optimal reflection, and that the distribution is spherical and glare-free. With the light on, the top portion is illuminated while the bottom part remains dark.