Silk Lantern Pendant

Gubi Silk Lantern Pendant.

The GUBI Silk Lantern Pendant combines the serene aesthetic of traditional Japanese lanterns with the refined character of Danish modernism. Designed by Ejnar Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, the piece was first presented at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1951 but never went into production at the time. GUBI is now bringing this remarkable historical design back to life.

At the heart of the Silk Lantern lies its distinctive, elongated silk shade. When illuminated, the light is softly filtered through the material, creating a warm, diffused glow. The lightweight silk shade is supported by a delicate steel frame, giving the lamp the appearance of floating weightlessly in the room.

Refined details in walnut veneer and antique brass add warmth and depth to the design. Together with the black steel and off-white silk shade, they create a balanced material palette where Japanese inspiration and Danish design principles elegantly converge.

With a height of 70 cm and a diameter of just 22 cm, the Silk Lantern Pendant boasts a strikingly slender silhouette. This makes it ideal for use as a standalone piece—for instance, beside a lounge area or above a side table. Alternatively, a cluster of multiple lamps creates a stunning lighting feature for an atrium, hallway, or dining area.

The generous 400 cm black textile cord offers great flexibility regarding placement. While the lamp itself is not dimmable, GUBI notes that it can be connected to a suitable external dimmer if a dimmable light source is used.

About Larsen & Bender Madsen

Danish designers Ejnar Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen originally presented the Silk Lantern in 1951 at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen. Although the design did not go into mass production at the time, it clearly demonstrates how international inspiration within Danish modernism was translated into an understated and refined design language.

With its reintroduction by GUBI, this distinctive 1950s design finally finds its place in contemporary interiors.

Material: silk, walnut veneer, antique brass, and steel
Color: off-white / black
Diameter: 22 cm | Height: 70 cm | Lampshade diameter: 22 cm
Cable length: 400 cm | Weight: 0.9 kg
Socket: E27 | Light source: max. 6W, not included
IP rating: IP20
Cable: black textile | Ceiling canopy: black steel

* The Silk Lantern can be connected to a suitable external dimmer. A dimmable light source must be used for this purpose.