Vintage Artichoke Lamp Auction To Benefit Marblehead's Abbot Library

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A vintage artichoke pendant lamp designed and manufactured in Denmark nearly 70 years ago is being auctioned to benefit the Marblehead Abbot Public Library.

The online auction is open to the public through Aug. 14 with organizers saying that 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward new books, supplies or library programs.

The white PH Artichoke Lamp is believed to have been purchased for the library in 1989 and comes from Danish designer Poul Henningsen and was manufactured by Louis Poulsen for a restaurant in Copenhagen in 1958.

The original design was intended to conceal the light bulb and produce a soft, glare-free light that diffuses evenly into the space it inhabits. Due to its unique shape, it is frequently used in smaller spaces that may be overwhelmed by traditional chandeliers.

This light fixture was in daily use at the public library, which is currently undergoing a two-year renovation.

The diameter is 36 inches with a height of 18.5 inches. It weighs about 33 pounds.

Those wishing to bid on the lamp can do so through Municibid here. The price listed as of Wednesday afternoon was $3,000.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)