Panthella: the real Louis Poulsen and the tide of mushrooms
Verner Panton's 1971 mushroom, reissued in three sizes. How to tell a Panthella from a generic £40 mushroom lamp.
1 MIN · 4 OBJECTS IDENTIFIEDThe mushroom lamp has flooded the feeds — and Verner Panton's Panthella, 1971, made by Louis Poulsen, is its matrix. Between the real thing and the tide of generic £40 mushrooms, a few markers are enough.
Panton's geometry
A half-sphere set on a trumpet foot that flares in one continuous line, no break, no ring: the light runs down the stem and makes it glow. The generics break the curve — cylindrical foot, screwed-on collar, shade too flat.
Sizes and versions
Three official formats: the original 400, the 250 for the table, the battery-powered Portable 160. Opal acrylic or lacquered metal for the shade. Under the base, the real one carries the Louis Poulsen mark — and its switch, plug and fabric cord are carefully made.
The prices
Reckon on around £300 for the Portable, £500-700 for the 250, more for the 400. In the vintage market, the early 1970s editions outrun the new ones. The copies, meanwhile, don't resell: that is the whole difference between an object and a purchase.
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The pieces, at your budget.
Every piece mentioned, with its alternatives — from vintage to dupe.
Where to find Louis Poulsen
At the house itself, or at the retailer that stocks it.
Gallery
4 images
