PH 3/2 Wall Sconce by Louis Polsen -20 %

Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system as early as 1925–1926. PH designed the first lamps to incorporate this system in collaboration with Louis Poulsen for an exhibition in Paris. This partnership lasted until his death in 1967. Throughout his life, PH strove to create glare-free light, direct light where it was most needed, and produce soft shadows—using incandescent bulbs as the light source. The PH 3/2 Wall is part of the family of three-shade lamps, which today comprises 30 models, including three for outdoor use. PH thus designed not just a single lamp, but an entire system—over the years, around a thousand different models were produced. This wide selection included table, floor, and wall lamps, as well as a range of different chandeliers, which were very popular in the 1930s for lighting private homes with high ceilings. There were countless possible combinations. The first shades were designed so that different lighting effects could be achieved depending on the desired illumination. The three-shade system was later expanded, and in addition to downward-directed light, the lamps illuminated the room. PH was the first to take a scientific approach to light, using the logarithmic spiral as a basis. By using a design based on the logarithmic spiral, he achieved uniform light distribution across the entire curve of the lampshade. This uniform light distribution, combined with diffuse reflection, made it possible to control glare and shadows. Each lampshade reduces the amount of light equally.