Written by the Decomica Design Team — updated June 2026. Decomica sells honest replicas of the PH Artichoke design; this article explains the lamp’s history, engineering, and how replicas compare to the licensed original.
The PH Artichoke pendant light is a 1958 Danish design by Poul Henningsen, manufactured by Louis Poulsen. Its 72 leaves arranged in 12 rows produce 360-degree glare-free illumination through an optical geometry that remains unchanged from the original. It is one of the most widely replicated pendant lights in the world, and one of the most frequently bought badly.
This article does three things: explains why the PH Artichoke pendant light works the way it does, tells you what distinguishes a faithful replica from a poor one, and covers the practical details of buying from Decomica — shipping, returns, warranty, and what you actually receive.
Poul Henningsen and the Artichoke’s Origins
Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) was a Danish architect, critic, and designer whose career-long obsession was the elimination of glare from artificial light. He began working with Louis Poulsen in the 1920s and developed the PH series — a systematic approach to pendant design using multiple nested reflectors, each sized to block the light source from horizontal view angles while redirecting the emitted light downward and outward.
The Artichoke, designed in 1958 for the Langelinie Pavillonen restaurant in Copenhagen, represented the furthest development of this idea. Rather than continuous shade surfaces, Henningsen used 72 individual steel leaves. This gave him finer geometric control over shielding angles, allowed the design to be scaled across a range of diameters without proportional distortion, and produced the distinctive botanical silhouette that made the lamp recognisable immediately.
The lamp is still manufactured by Louis Poulsen in Denmark today, to the same specification. The licensed original uses stainless steel, copper, or lacquered steel leaves on a steel bracket system, with a quality assurance process developed over six decades.
The Engineering: 72 Leaves, 12 Rows, One Principle
The geometry of the PH Artichoke is not arbitrary. The 72 leaves are arranged in 12 horizontal rows of 6. Each leaf is positioned and angled so that, from any horizontal viewing position — standing or seated, near or far — at least two leaves always overlap to block the direct view of the light source.
This is what “360-degree glare-free light” means in engineering terms. It is not a marketing claim; it is a geometric property of the leaf count and arrangement. Change the leaf count to 48 or alter the pitch angle and the guarantee breaks down — there will be viewing angles from which the bare bulb is visible. This is the single most important specification to verify when evaluating any PH Artichoke replica.
Authentic PH Artichoke vs. Replica: An Honest Comparison
| Factor | Licensed original (Louis Poulsen) | Decomica replica |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf count | 72 (12 rows of 6) | 72 (12 rows of 6) |
| Light quality | 360° glare-free | 360° glare-free |
| Leaf material | Stainless steel, copper, or lacquered steel | Pressed steel, powder-coated or plated |
| Manufacturing | Denmark, 60+ years QA process | Factory production, Decomica QC checks |
| Price (48 cm) | ~€10,000 | Fraction of licensed price |
| Warranty | Louis Poulsen terms | 2 years (Decomica) |
| Brand provenance | Licensed, manufacturer-issued | Replica, sold transparently as such |
The practical difference in everyday use is smaller than the price gap suggests. The light quality produced by a correctly constructed 72-leaf replica is functionally indistinguishable from the original when installed. The differences that do exist are in manufacturing finish consistency, long-term material durability, and the intangible value of licensed provenance. Whether those matter to you is a personal decision, not a judgement Decomica will make on your behalf.
Size Guide for the PH Artichoke Pendant Light
| Diameter | Room type | Hanging height above table |
|---|---|---|
| 48 cm | Dining tables up to 120 cm, bedrooms, home offices | 70–80 cm |
| 60 cm | Dining tables 130–180 cm, kitchen islands | 70–80 cm |
| 72 cm | Large dining rooms, double-height spaces | 75–85 cm |
| 100 cm | Commercial lobbies, restaurant dining rooms | 80–100 cm |
If you are ordering for a standard European domestic dining room (ceiling 250–280 cm, dining table 160–180 cm), the 60 cm is almost always the right choice. The 48 cm can look under-scaled over a large table; the 72 cm can overpower a room that is not well-proportioned for it. When genuinely uncertain, order the 60 cm.
Finishes Available at Decomica
- White powder-coat — versatile, suits any interior palette, forgiving of minor surface variation, the most domestic-feeling of the three options.
- Brushed stainless steel — contemporary, suits grey and dark interiors, concrete, and dark wood. Fingermarks visible on the leaf surfaces.
- Copper-tone — warm, period-accurate to the 1958 original, develops a gentle patina. Best suited to warm-toned interiors with brass hardware or terracotta palettes.
Glare-Free Light in Practice: What It Means in Your Room
The practical effect of glare-free pendant lighting is subtle but significant. In a dining room with a standard pendant (a simple bowl or globe), seated diners often experience a view of the light source at eye level from certain seat positions. This causes squinting and reduces visual comfort without the person necessarily identifying light as the cause.
With the Artichoke, this does not happen. The leaf geometry prevents any view of the bulb from any seated position around the table. The room feels well-lit but not harshly lit. The shadows cast by the leaves against the ceiling and adjacent walls are part of the lamp’s character — soft, layered, and shifting slightly as the lamp moves in air currents.
The effect is most noticeable in rooms that had a simpler pendant before. Guests notice that something has changed; they often can’t identify what. This perceptual quality is what makes the Artichoke design worth the attention it still receives 66 years after its creation.
Shipping, Returns and Warranty from Decomica
Free delivery to the UK, EU, Norway, and Switzerland. VAT included; nothing extra on delivery. Excluded countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Malta, Cyprus — contact us before ordering.
Handling: 1–2 working days. Transit: 5–7 working days via DPD. Total: 6–9 working days from order to door. Tracking link sent by email at dispatch.
Returns: 14-day window from receipt. Defects: free return, Decomica arranges DPD pickup. Change of mind: €40–50 return shipping, original packaging required. Refunds within 30 days of return receipt.
All orders: 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on materials and construction defects.
Payment: credit/debit cards and PayPal. No Klarna. Support: support@decomica.com or live chat, no phone line.
See the full designer lighting collection and our detailed buying resource: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a PH Artichoke Lamp Replica.
Care and Maintenance
The PH Artichoke replica requires minimal maintenance. A monthly wipe with a dry microfibre cloth is sufficient for the leaf surfaces. Do not use liquid cleaners on powder-coated surfaces; for the copper-tone finish, a dry cloth prevents build-up of surface oils that could dull the patina unevenly. Avoid placing the lamp near cooking extraction without a canopy — grease deposits on 72 leaf surfaces are tedious to clean.
Bulb replacement is straightforward: unscrew the lamp holder access point at the base of the shade, replace the E27 bulb, re-secure. Annual bulb checks (even with LED) are good practice to confirm the fitting remains secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PH Artichoke pendant light?
A pendant light designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958, manufactured by Louis Poulsen. It uses 72 steel leaves in 12 rows to produce 360-degree glare-free illumination. It is widely regarded as one of the most important lighting designs of the 20th century.
Why does the PH Artichoke have exactly 72 leaves?
The leaf count is the minimum required to guarantee 360-degree glare shielding at all horizontal viewing angles when the leaves are arranged in 12 rows of 6 at the designed pitch. Fewer leaves create viewing angles where the bulb is visible.
What size should I buy for a standard dining room?
For a dining table 130–180 cm in length, the 60 cm diameter is the standard choice. For a table under 120 cm, choose the 48 cm. For a larger or more formal dining room, consider the 72 cm.
How is the Decomica replica different from the licensed Louis Poulsen original?
The replica matches the original’s leaf count and optical geometry but is manufactured differently — pressed steel rather than the licensed original’s stainless steel or copper, factory production rather than Danish manufacture. The light quality is functionally equivalent; the material specification and brand provenance are not. Decomica sells replicas explicitly as replicas.
Does Decomica offer a warranty?
Yes — 2 years on manufacturing defects. Contact support@decomica.com for warranty claims.
Can I order if I am in Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, or Malta?
Those four countries are excluded from our standard free shipping. Contact us before ordering for a shipping quote.
