Dezeen Magazine

Louis Poulsen releases colourful mini version of 1971 Panthella lamp

Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen is producing a new version of the iconic Panthella lamp by Verner Panton that was originally developed in 1971 (+ slideshow).

Panthella mini by Louis Poulson

Panthella Mini has a diameter of 250 millimetres as opposed to the standard 400-millimetre table lamp, and is available with a metal shade as in Panton's original design.

Demand for a smaller Panthella model led Louis Poulsen to adapt the classic range, which is still on sale in white acrylic. The new design comes in a range of bright colours drawn from Panton's work.

Panthella mini by Louis Poulson

"The Panthella Mini is a world first, based on Verner Panton's original drawings," said Louis Poulsen's design manager Rasmus Markholt.

"Since the retro-wave of the 1990s rolled over us, enthusiasm for Verner Panton's lamps has risen sharply. His products are in great demand at auction houses all over the world."

Panthella mini by Louis Poulson

Panton wanted to use metal in his 70s lamp range to enable both foot and shade to reflect light, but according to Louis Poulsen, the technology was not available at the time.

The new lamps feature LEDs that can be adjusted to three light intensities. Despite being originally available in several colours, Louis Poulsen reduced the Panthella lamp range to only white.

Panthella mini by Louis Poulson

The Mini series features painted metal shades in yellow, orange, mauve, red, pink, blue and green. Acrylic versions are also available in white, black and opal.

The colours are drawn from the last project Panton worked on before his death in 1998, the Light and Colour exhibition at the Trapholt Museum of Modern Art in Kolding, Denmark.

Panthella mini by Louis Poulson

The installation featured eight rooms in different colours presenting Panton's furniture, fabrics and light fittings.

Panton, who died in 1998, is one of the most influential Danish designers of the 20th century. He became popular in the 60s for his plastic, fibreglass and synthetic designs, and is best known for the S-shaped Panton Chair.

Panthella mini by Louis Poulson

Designed in 1971, the Panthella table and floor lamps became Panton's most popular lighting styles, experiencing a revival in the 90s.

This year has seen a series of rereleases of classic furniture and lighting, including a set of tables by Poul Kjærholm that made its debut in 1955 and a version of Le Corbusier's Borne Béton lamp by Italian design firm Nemo. Panthella Mini will be on sale from September 2016, launching with an installation at Skandium's Marylebone store in London.