The Artichoke lamp by Poul Henningsen, a Scandinavian design classic by Louis Poulsen!

In this video we're giving you the history behind a legendary Scandinavian design classic - the Artichoke lamp (Koglen in Danish and Kotten in Swedish) by Poul Hennigsen. You've all seen it and perhaps you've heard that it was designed in the late 50's, but did you know that the history behind the Artichoke takes us back to the 1920's?
Feel free to ask us any questions in the comment section below!
Instagram: @scandinaviandesign101
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Scandinavian Design 101 is produced by Sanna Z Lönngren & Andreas Zätterqvist
#danishdesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #designinterior #scandinaviandesign #furnituredesign #decor #homedecor #nordic #design #interior #midcentury #midcenturymodern #nordicdesign
Sources:
Jørstian & Munk Nielsen, "Tænd!", Gyldendal: 1994
Tøjner, "Poul Henningsen", Aschehoug: 2005

[@arikcarlo]

Truly an inspired artist. In my opinion one of the most artistic of the designers you have been presenting. Hats off to him and his courage for facing off with the Danish Nazis. Another who used the stage to discredit the Nazis was Jewish Danish comedian, Victor Borge (Børge Rosenbaum). Borge would go on to become a famous comedian in America, Danish Nazis ambushed Borge in a Copenhagen park but Borge managed to escape. I was intrigued to find out on your program that Henningsen was threatened with assassination by the Danish Nazi leader. In our times of growing fascism, God Bless Poul Henningsen!

[@richardhadley7867]

You guys are awesome. Really enjoyed you video on Finn Juhl who is my favorite designer. Your knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for Scandinavian design from the perspective of the average collector is refreshing. I'm learning so much from your videos, and enjoying your passion and insight into Scandinavian design. Thank you

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

That makes us very happy to hear. Thank you so very much for watching and enjoying.

[@nathanallen6411]

Y’all this was great. ! “Copper mining destroying the nature” 😂 true that. Reminds me very much of my Swedish wife, who is very frugal, and would say the same thing, never buy new, always buy used. The artichoke seems to be a timeless design. I suspect it has been imitated, and possibly could buy a cheap Chinese made one. I know that I don’t have $4000 for a beautiful llamp so I’ll probably attempt to make something myself. But always with admiration and recognition to the original designer.

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

We love making our own interpretations och classic design objects. Turned ourselves a wooden PH lamp a couple of months ago. It's fun, cheap and no one else has one.

[@woodygreg]

hello how can we see the difference between a original en fake ??

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

Well, it can sometimes be a bit difficult. Some copies are terribly bad but others are almost as good as the original when it comes to quality. The company Designers Revolt produced illegal copies until they were shot down by the Swedish police and their version was really hard to tell from the original lamp. Would say a Louis Poulsen label is the best telltale. As good as all originals are marked with one (or often several ones) on the socket cover.

[@woodygreg]

@@ScandinavianDesign101 thankx i went look at it and almost payed 4500€ for a fake 8-/

[@corawenk1049]

@@ScandinavianDesign101 do you know if there was anything other than the "tension" connection of the chrome frame to the base? I am looking at lights to match one I have in the patina but there is a different style where it connects. (a chrome square) I have reached out to Louis Poulsen and the local representatives and have not been able to get even a "no" from either of them which makes me think there was an alternative produced for a bit. I would like to know for sure and how to tell which are original. Thank you for any guidance you can provide.

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

Hi! Sorry for the late answer. Well, the Artichoke was changed in its construction a bit over the years. Can you email us a picture of the connection? [e-mail]

[@adrielrowley]

I honestly didn't understand why the Artichoke name, now know that isn't the correct name. Pinecone makes far more sense, especially in the copper which emulates the earthy tones of a real pinecone. Now I wonder how it got renamed?

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

Don't really know why its called Artichoke, we agree its quite strange. Let's stick with the Danish Koglen :)

[@veronicajensen7690]

In the Nordic Countries it's still called the Pinecone -Koglen in Danish

[@bricology]

Can anyone try to justify how the Artichoke lamp costs $10,000-20,000?! That's the price of a good, secondhand German sedan. The materials probably cost the manufacturer a few hundred dollars, and assembly, another few hundred. So why the 200x mark-up? Is it just to keep it "exclusive"? -- or just to make sure that they aren't seen in the "wrong" homes? I don't get it.

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

Agree with you. It's hard to justify the price. We mentioned the Artichoke recently when talking about overprized design objects. The same thing goes for Poul Kjaerholm. Hard to justify well over 30.000 for a sofa...

[@andreknudsen3272]

it is louiS

[@MrVorpalsword]

flipping 'eck, no comments yet --- - artichoke, pinecone ? I turned the folded plastic Normann version upside down to plonk it on a table lamp and it reminded me of a clover flower. So what?

[@ScandinavianDesign101]

We used to have one of the Normann lamps some years ago. Did collect an awful amount of dust though.

[@MrVorpalsword]

@@ScandinavianDesign101 exactly, thank god its reaching the stage when it's becoming so discombobulated & broken I can throw it away!