PH 3/2 Table / Floor Lamp

Inspired by Poul Henningsen's 1924 PH lamp system, the PH 3/2 uses a calculated three-shade design to refract a bulb's glare into warm, even light. Available as a table lamp or a floor lamp, with hand-blown opal glass in milky white or rose pink and a matte black or brass-plated metal base.

About Poul Henningsen

Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish lighting designer and cultural critic whose work shaped modern lighting more than any other 20th-century figure. He unveiled his first PH lamp at the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale and took home a gold medal — launching a collaboration with Louis Poulsen that lasted more than four decades.

Henningsen was preoccupied with one problem: the electric bulb produced harsh, glaring light no traditional shade could tame. His answer was the three-shade system — a mathematically calculated set of overlapping shades, each shaped to a logarithmic curve, that hides the bulb while reflecting and refracting its light downward. The PH principle still defines fine lighting today.

Materials & Craftsmanship

Our reproduction is built in the PH tradition, true to the original three-shade principle:

• Shades: three tiers of hand-blown opal glass sized in the PH ratio so the bulb is hidden from every viewing angle. Available in milky white or rose pink.
• Base and stem: matte black powder-coated metal (table lamp) or polished brass-plated metal (table and floor lamp), with a weighted round base for stability.
• Wiring: in-line cord switch and an E27 socket sized for standard bulbs worldwide.

Because each shade is mouth-blown, slight variations in thickness and surface texture are part of the craft and contribute to the lamp's characteristic warm diffusion.

Specifications

Care & Assembly

Assembly is straightforward: the stem threads into the base and the three shades stack on the central rod. Allow 10 minutes and a soft cloth to rest the glass on while you work.

Wipe the opal glass with a soft, lint-free cloth; for fingerprints, use a barely damp microfiber and dry immediately. Avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners. The matte black powder-coated base wipes clean with a dry cloth — skip abrasives, which dull the finish. The brass-plated base develops a natural patina; to keep it bright, buff occasionally with brass polish on a soft cloth. To change the bulb, lift the top shade straight up off the rod, swap the bulb, and reseat the shade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Table lamp or floor lamp — how do I choose?

Pick the table version (18.6" tall) for a console, sideboard, bedside, or desk where you want a pool of reading light at seated eye level. Choose the floor version (55.1") for a freestanding light beside a sofa or armchair, or to add height in a corner. Both use the same three-shade head, so they pair well in one room.

How does the three-shade system actually work?

Henningsen calculated the curve of each shade so the bulb is hidden from every angle — you never see the glowing filament. The inner surfaces reflect light onto the next shade, and a portion is refracted through the opal glass itself. The light you see is bounced and diffused, never direct, which is why PH lamps feel so warm and easy on the eyes.

What bulb does it take?

A standard E27 screw base, up to 40W incandescent equivalent. A 7W E27 LED is included. Any E27 LED works; warm-white (2700K) is closest to Henningsen's intent. Smart bulbs (Apple HomeKit, Matter, Philips Hue E27, etc.) drop straight in.

Does it dim?

The lamp itself uses an in-line on/off switch — no dimmer is built in. For dimming, pair it with a dimmable E27 LED bulb on a compatible smart plug, or use a HomeKit/Matter smart bulb and dim from your phone or voice assistant.

What glass colors and base finishes are available?

Three combinations: milky white opal glass with a matte black base (table lamp), milky white opal glass with a brass-plated base (table lamp), and rose pink opal glass with a brass-plated base (floor lamp). The pink shade casts a notably warmer, blush-tinted light that suits bedrooms and reading nooks.

Shipping & Returns

Free US shipping (typically arrives within 2–3 weeks). 30-day free returns. See our shipping policy and refund policy.