Louis Poulsen VL38 Table Lamp by Vilhelm Lauritzen
About the Item
- Creator:Vilhelm Lauritzen (Designer),Louis Poulsen (Manufacturer)
- Design:VL38 Table LampVL38 Series
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Diameter: 6.9 in (17.53 cm)
- Style:Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Contemporary
- Production Type:New & Custom(Current Production)
- Estimated Production Time:Available NowAvailable Now
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Vilhelm Lauritzen
One of the most significant architects in Denmark’s history and a pioneer of Danish functionalism in Scandinavian, mid-century modern furniture, Vilhelm Lauritzen maintained a lifelong belief that design is an art for the people.
Born in the town of Slagelse in 1894, Lauritzen had an early interest in architecture and design. He graduated from the Sorø Akademi in 1912 and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1922. That year, Lauritzen founded the Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects studio.
Travel to Spain, Greece and throughout Central Europe influenced his architectural work. His first major project was in 1928, when he designed the Daell’s Department Store in Copenhagen. Subsequent notable design projects included the Nørrebro Theater in 1931, the Radiohuset building in 1936 and Copenhagen Airport’s first terminal in 1939, inspired by Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier.
Although architecture was among Lauritzen’s chief passions — he was also an avid lepidopterist — he was keenly interested in the furnishings of his projects, designing everything from chairs and settees to door handles and ashtrays. His influential creations include the iconic VL 38 “Radiohus” table and the VL 45 “Radiohus” pendant light — a powerful downward light that provides a gentle illumination through handblown, white opal glass. Both were designed for Danish furniture manufacturer Louis Poulsen in collaboration with Danish designer Finn Juhl. Vilhelm Lauritzen’s lamps and wall sconces, which have obliquely angled lamp heads, were likewise designed in partnership with Poulsen for the Radiohuset building in the 1930s.
Lauritzen remained active in his studio until 1969, overseeing numerous architecture projects in the 1950s, such as the Shellhuset building, Folkets Hus — known today as the VEGA concert hall — and the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC.
Lauritzen died in 1984. His legacy lives on with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects still operating in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, and his elegant lamps remain in production by Louis Poulsen.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Vilhelm Lauritzen lighting, seating, tables and more.
Louis Poulsen
Louis Poulsen is world-renowned as an innovator in modern Danish lighting, but this wasn’t the goal from the start. Founded in 1874 by Ludvig R. Poulsen as a wine importer, the business went through several incarnations before its first pendant lights came to fruition. Through its designs, the company helped establish the foundations of good lighting — function, comfort and ambience — that are now standard in modern furniture design.
In 1924, Danish architect Poul Henningsen partnered with Louis Poulsen & Co., then an electrical supply company, to create what’s now known as the Paris lamp. This design, which incorporated three layers of curved metal disks, created ambience with its indirect light instead of glare. Shown at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris — the exhibition that brought Art Deco design to worldwide attention — the Paris lamp was awarded a gold medal. This led to Poulsen and Henningsen working together on several lighting pieces, including the popular PH pendant light with its concentric shades for the Forum Building in Copenhagen. These high-profile projects helped make Louis Poulsen a go-to purveyor of innovative lighting design.
One of the company’s most well-known lamps is Henningsen’s PH Artichoke lamp (1958), with its 72 copper leaves artfully placed to conceal the light bulb, prevent glare and promote a warm, alluring glow in any room. Another is the steel and die-cast zinc AJ lamp (1960), which Arne Jacobsen designed with an adjustable angled shade for his commission for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. The company has also worked with notables such as Verner Panton and Alfred Homann as well as, more recently, Louise Campbell and Oki Sato.
In 2010, the company was awarded the American Institute of Architects’ Honors in Collaborative Achievement Award; it was the first lighting manufacturer to receive this honor. In 2018, the company was acquired by an investment subsidiary of Investindustrial VI L.P. Still headquartered in Denmark, the brand continues to produce its high-end lighting for both indoor and outdoor use, manufacturing both classic icons as well as new designs. “We design to shape light,” states Louis Poulsen. In doing so, they have also shaped culture.
Find a range of new and vintage Louis Poulsen floor lamps, table lamps and other lighting and furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Madison, VA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 30 days of delivery.
- Louis Poulsen VL38 Floor Lamp by Vilhelm LauritzenBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PoulsenLocated in New York, NYAbout This Product VL38 floor lamp is based on the original design of the VL38 table lamp. The VL38 table lamp was originally designed in the late 1930s by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partn...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Louis Poulsen VL38 Wall Lamp by Vilhelm LauritzenBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PoulsenLocated in New York, NYAbout This Product VL38 wall lamp is based on the original design of the VL38 table lamp. The VL38 table lamp was originally designed in the late 1930s by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partne...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Louis Poulsen VL56 Pendant by Vilhelm LauritzenBy Louis Poulsen, Vilhelm LauritzenLocated in New York, NYAbout This Product The well-known functionalist architect, Vilhelm Lauritzen designed the VL 56 Pendant for Folkets Hus, in Vesterbro Copenhagen. Originally designed and built for th...Category
2010s Danish Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- Louis Poulsen Yuh Table Lamp by GamFratesiBy GamFratesi Design Studio, Louis PoulsenLocated in New York, NYAbout This Product The Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi designed Yuh for Louis Poulsen in 2017. Initially launched in black and white, the family was extended with editions featu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
- Louis Poulsen PH 3/2 Table Lamp by Poul HenningsenBy Louis Poulsen, Poul HenningsenLocated in New York, NYAbout This Product Poul Henningsen designed the three-shade system during 1925/1926. The first lights using the system were designed for an exhibition in Paris. His work with Louis P...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Louis Poulsen AJ Table Lamp by Arne JacobsenBy Louis Poulsen, Arne JacobsenLocated in New York, NYArne Jacobsen was born and raised in Copenhagen. In 1927, he graduated as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. After graduating, he obtained his fir...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Vilhelm Lauritzen VL38 'Radiohus' Table Lamps for Louis PoulsenBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Glendale, CAVilhelm Lauritzen VL38 'Radiohus' table lamps for Louis Poulsen. The VL38 table lamp was originally designed in the 1930s by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partnership with Louis Poulsen for t...Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel, Aluminum
- Vilhelm Lauritzen 'Vl38' Table Lamp 1930 for Louis PoulsenBy Vilhelm LauritzenLocated in Tilburg, NLVilhelm Lauritzen 'VL38' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen. Designed in 1930. New, current production. The VL38 table lamp was originally designed in the late 1930...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Louis Poulsen, Table Lamp by Vilhelm LauritzenBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRLouis Poulsen, table lamp by Vilhelm Lauritzen Width x Height x Length (mm) 135 x 380 x 175, 2.3 kg Material: Base and shade: aluminium. Stem: brass. Cord length: 3.3 m. Light con...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Early VL38 Table or Desk-Lamp, Vilhelm Lauritzen for Louis Poulsen, Denmark 1950By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Vorst, BEVintage VL38 table lamp from the 1950ies, mat egg-shell paint, original finish. Shade made of aluminium, base made of iron, both painted off-white. Tube and ball-joint articulation...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Sheet Metal, Iron
- Early Version of Vl38 Table Lamp by Vilhelm Lauritzen for Louis PoulsenBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PaulsenLocated in San Francisco, CAVilhelm Lauritzen, Made by Louis Poulsen, Copenhagen. Iron, tubular brass, sheet brass, painted white.Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Vilhelm Lauritzen Black VL38 'Radiohus' Floor Lamps for Louis PoulsenBy Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis PoulsenLocated in Glendale, CAVilhelm Lauritzen VL38 black 'Radiohus' floor lamps for Louis Poulsen. The VL38 floor lamp was originally designed in the 1930s by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partnership with Louis Poulsen...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal