The Plate ceiling lamp, along with Henningsen's celebrated Artichoke lamp was originally designed for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen. The pavilion is situated between Langlelinie Kaj and Kastellet, a 17th century military fortress and was originally built in 1885 by a boating club and replaced in 1902 by a yachting club. It was destroyed during WWII and in 1954 there was a competition to build a new structure. The winning design, by Eva and Nils Koppel was starkly modern compared to the previous building and echoed the ideals of the International Style.
Henningsen was commissioned to design the lighting for the pavilion's dining areas, as he had, in previous years, been an advocate of creating restaurant interiors that were lively and had a distinct character. Henningsen's festive light fixtures warmed the rational, linear, glass spaces of the pavilion. The design of the present lot is unique in that the light is directed both horizontally and vertically, creating a bright but diffused light amenable to the mood of restaurants. The concentric rings of the lamp are meant to recall the ripples atop the waters surrounding the pavilion. The Plate lamp was also sometimes installed in restaurants as sconces.
Auction Results Poul Henningsen
