PH 2/1 Stem Fitting
The three-shade lighting system was developed in 1925–1926 by Danish designer Poul Henningsen. The first lamps based on this system were created in collaboration with Louis Poulsen for an exhibition in Paris, marking the beginning of a partnership that continued until Henningsen’s death in 1967.
Henningsen’s goal was to create glare-free lighting that directed illumination precisely where it was needed, while also producing soft, comfortable shadows. Using incandescent bulbs, he developed a scientific approach to light, basing his designs on the logarithmic spiral to ensure even distribution of light across the curved surfaces of the shades. This method, combined with the diffuse reflection of light—especially in glass versions—allowed for effective control of glare and shadow.
The PH 2/1 Stem Fitting is part of this extensive three-shade family, which today includes around 30 different models, including outdoor variants. Rather than designing a single lamp, Henningsen created a complete system, with nearly a thousand variations produced over time. These ranged from table, floor, and wall lamps to chandeliers, which were particularly popular in the 1930s for illuminating rooms with high ceilings.
The system offered remarkable flexibility, with numerous combinations of sizes, colours, and materials. Early versions featured metal shades with painted undersides in white, gold, or silver to create different lighting effects—diffuse, warm, or cool. Later, glass shades were introduced, adding ambient room illumination to the downward-directed light.
Each shade is positioned to reduce light evenly according to its distance from the source. The model numbers reflect the size of the top shade and its corresponding lower shades. In “pure” models, such as the 2/2, all shades are proportionally matched. The PH 2/1 Stem Fitting, however, is a “hybrid” configuration: it features a top shade of approximately 20 cm combined with lower shades from the smaller 1/1 model. These hybrid designs were introduced to accommodate practical needs, such as suspending pendants at lower heights.
The PH 2/1 Stem Fitting, in its current form, was reintroduced in 2003, continuing the legacy of Henningsen’s timeless and scientifically grounded lighting system.
Light concept
The fixture is designed based on the principle of a reflective three-shade system, which directs the majority of the light downwards. The shades are made of mouth-blown opal three-layer glass, which is glossy on the top and sandblasted matt on the underside, giving a soft and diffused light distribution.
Product details
Light source 3x3x20W E14
Other information
Material: Shades in mouth-blown white opal glass with the body and suspension unit in bright chrome plated brass and aluminium. Canopy: Yes Cord length: 3.5 m. Cord type: Black fabric.
Size & measurements
Size (mm): 596 (width) x 551 (Height) x 596 (Length)
Weight:7.7 kg
Mounting
3.5 m. Black textile cord.
Canopy included.
