In 1971, Danish designer Verner Panton introduced a lamp that defied everything Scandinavian design was meant to be. Where his contemporaries favoured restraint and natural materials, Panton embraced colour, plastic, and a sense of joyful irreverence. The result was the Panthella, a piece that felt futuristic yet deeply human: Playful in form yet considered in function.
More than five decades on, its relevance has not dimmed.
To mark what would have been Panton’s 100th year, Louis Poulsen revisits this design icon through The Originals Collection, restoring the Panthella to its earliest expression. Presented in the original five hues, each paired with a high-lustre chrome base, the collection reflects Panton’s enduring belief that colour and light are inseparable forces, shaping both mood and space.
At first glance, the Panthella’s silhouette remains striking as ever. The softly domed shade, balanced by its trumpet-shaped base, reads almost sculptural. But its ingenuity lies in what is less immediately visible. Both elements act as reflectors, diffusing light downward to create a gentle, glare-free glow. It is illumination designed not to command attention, but to transform atmosphere.
This interplay between boldness and intimacy is what has allowed the Panthella to transcend eras. It carries the optimism of the 1970s, yet feels entirely at home in contemporary interiors. Placed on a bedside table, a study desk, or a living room console, it lends not just light, but a distinct emotional warmth.
Now reimagined for modern living, the Panthella 160 and 250 Portable bring this legacy into a more flexible, everyday context. Compact and cordless, they allow Panton’s vision to move freely through the home, from quiet corners to shared spaces, adapting to the rhythms of daily life. They are, in many ways, the most accessible entry point into a piece of design history.
As the original House of Light, Louis Poulsen’s role in this reissue is significant. The brand’s commitment to preserving design integrity ensures that each detail, from proportion to materiality, remains faithful to Panton’s intent. In an era where design is often reinterpreted, this return to authenticity feels both rare and necessary.
In Singapore, XTRA stands as a trusted gateway to this legacy. More than a retail space, its showroom offers a considered environment where design is contextualised, understood, and experienced.
For more information, visit XTRA’s showroom located at 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-48 Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Website: www.xtra.com.sg
Telephone: +65 6336 4664
Whatsapp: +65 9177 5321
Email: contactus@xtra.com.sg