Do you know your PH value?

At our next international auction in Bredgade this September, we will be focusing specially on Poul Henningsen’s (1894-1967) early light creations. If you own such a PH-lamp and you are considering selling it at auction, you are more than welcome to contact us for a valuation – free of charge and non-binding. Please note the submission deadline is 18 August.

Launch to fame

In 1919, PH set up his own drawing office, and from here he ran a versatile architectural business. During the first 4-5 years he partnered with Kay Fisker, later he began the significant collaboration with the lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen & Co, which led to the creation of the glare-free PH-lamp. The lamp received the gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1925, an event that launched PH into fame, and led to the development of a number of other lamps based on the same lighting principles. Today, the early pieces are considered to be rare and valuable collectables.

Tied on mouth and hands

As a critic of society PH was almost always in opposition, and with his involvement in the publication of the magazine "Kritisk-Revy" (“critical revue”) and as a revue writer, PH left a solid mark on the collective Danish consciousness. In 1940, he wrote the song "Man binder os på mund og hånd" (“they tie our mouth and hands”) for Kjeld Abell’s revue “Dyveke”. In this song, PH presents a sharp criticism of the German censorship during the occupation. Due to the pronounced opposition, PH was added to the Nazis’ black book, and consequently in 1943 had to flee to Sweden. The flight was carried out in a small rowing boat across Øresund together with the architect Arne Jacobsen. The event leaves behind a powerful image – two of the greatest Danish architects of the 20th century tied together by destiny in a small rowing boat. Much would have been lost if they had not made it to Sweden!

Functionalism in design and philosophy

As many other Danish architects at the time, PH welcomed the new currents from Europe. He supported the maxims of functionalism ”Form follows function” and ”Less is more” that were born following the First World War, when the war experience manifested itself among European architects as a desire to reform society. PH was thus preoccupied with creating objects that matched a modern way of life. ”Kritisk Revy” became an indispensible medium for the discussion of the fast growing international modernism, but the focus on function was the underlying principle of all of PH’s designs.  

An obvious testament to functionalism by PH is of course the PH-lamp. Take for example the beautiful and distinctive piano lamp – with its rounded frame it is made to be used on a piano. Straightened out it works as a regular lamp shining light into the room, however, when it is pulled down below its own axis, it illuminates perfectly the sheet holder. Another example is his eye-catching grand piano designed to solve the problems with lack of space on the small jazz stages. The lid is made out of perspex, which made it possible for the pianist and the bassist to keep eye contact. The welded steel legs underneath the piano made room for the big drum to be positioned close to the piano, and the edges covered with leather made the piano easy to handle when moving it from place to place.

The functional body

As an advocate of functionalism PH was uncompromising. When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he donated his body to science. Today, his preserved torso is part of the specimen collection at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences in Copenhagen, where medical students are being taught anatomy. Like no one else, PH went the whole way!