In honor of the 50th anniversary of the famous PH Artichoke Lamp, international lighting company Louis Poulsen has designed a limited edition PH Artichoke Gold. These “50 pieces of a limited 24 karat gold edition of the largest PH Artichoke” celebrate the lasting impact of Poul Henningsen’s original design. Although Henningsen never graduated from either college he attended in Denmark, he began by practicing “traditional functionalistic architecture” before turning his aesthetic attention to lighting. ll.

PH Artichoke Gold. Designed by Louis Poulsen.

His PH Artichoke is now a classical masterpiece: its “72 leaves placed on 12 steel arches” turn the strange perennial thistle into a glowing oval of light. While the original PH Artichoke was white, painted over copper or stainless steel, the anniversary edition is a luxurious gold. This aurulent version captures the artichoke’s magical coloration even more. From purple to green, the odd culinary wonder transcends the expected–which is why the glorious gold suits the PH Artichoke so we

Originally installed in a Copenhagen restaurant, hung above Arne Jacobsen Ant Chairs and Børge Mogensen Sofas, the 1958 PH Artichokes still exist as a testament to Henningsen’s vision. Louis Poulsen began its relationship between light and architecture in the 1920s. Since then, the company has maintained its affiliation with noted architects, crafting “a brilliant mix of technology and design that advanced light delivery systems to their rightful place among architectural elements.” But Louis Poulsen has also moved forward: they are now offering an iphone app of their complete inventory, which includes images, drawings, and technical information of the “entire international product range in an easy-to-use pocket size catalogue.” Now you can take your lighting wish list with you everywhere you go, including the much coveted PH Artichoke Gold.