PH Snowball – White and Chrome – Louis Poulsen

It is both a work of art and a functional lighting solution, renowned for its refined aesthetics and unique light distribution.

Origin and history

The PH Snowball was originally conceived by Poul Henningsen in 1958, when it was exhibited at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Copenhagen alongside the PH 5, another of the designer's iconic creations. At the time, it didn't meet with the same immediate success as the PH 5 and was somewhat overshadowed. However, it was redesigned and reintroduced in 1983, marking the beginning of its recognition as a masterpiece in its own right. It is often considered a more compact version of the PH Louvre, designed for the Skodsborg Adventist Church in Denmark, but with a design suited to smaller spaces or lower ceilings.

Design and features

The PH Snowball suspension features a structure composed of eight aluminum shades, arranged in a logarithmic spiral around the light source and supported by three rods. This ingenious design meets Henningsen's main objective: to create soft, diffused, glare-free light. The shades feature a glossy finish on the outside to reflect light evenly and sparklingly, and a matte finish on the inside to channel light downwards while minimizing glare. When lit, the upper part lights up while the lower part remains darker, creating a striking visual contrast.

Lighting philosophy

Poul Henningsen, a pioneer in the study of light, designed the Snowball according to his principle of “glare-free light”. By playing with angles and reflective surfaces, he succeeded in producing 360-degree lighting that is both direct downwards and diffuse in the surrounding space, offering a warm, comfortable ambience.

Today

Since its reintroduction, the PH Snowball has become a design classic, prized by interior designers and decorating enthusiasts alike. It combines the heritage of Danish modernism with contemporary functionality, and continues to be produced by Louis Poulsen with a constant concern for quality and durability. This luminaire continues to evolve while remaining true to its essence. In short, the PH Snowball suspension is much more than a simple lighting object: it's a sculptural piece that marries form, function and history, bearing the indelible imprint of Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen excellence.