Easy on the eyes. Poul Henningsen sought to create glare-free lighting throughout his career as a designer, and for that we're grateful. This three-shade system was developed in 1925-1926 as entry in design expo in Paris, and it looks a lot simpler than it is. His aim was to direct light where it was most needed, to creating soft shadows while using incandescent bulbs as a light source (sucks to be American, we'll have to settle for LEDs, boo hiss). Henningsen 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. He really was on a mission.

Poul Henningsen developed the PH 5 in 1958 in response to constant changes in the shape and size of incandescent bulbs, creating a lamp that could be used with any light source. The iconic design is based on the same principles as Henningsen’s three-shade system, which ensures that the light is soft, pleasant and completely glare-free, making it the perfect dining room table lamp. Originally, the PH 5 was fitted with red and blue shades to improve the colour of the light, however these have been removed in later designs as modern light sources reproduce daylight much more effectively than they did in 1958. Available in a number of different colour variations, the PH 5 is a much-loved and well-known pendant, that is found in many homes around the world.

The fixture provides a comfortable, glare-free light based on the principle of Poul Henningsen’s reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downward. It emits a lateral light as well as illuminating itself, providing a soft radiance from within its core. The lower shade is fitted with a frosted-glass diffuser to ensure that the downwardly directed light is 100% glare-free.