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Debuted in 1968, Flowerpot’s playful design remains enduringly popular
The Flowerpot, a vividly coloured lamp with a rounded pendant that hangs from the semi-domed upper shade, embodies the experimental attitude that Danish designer Verner Panton took to home items. As a disciple of Arne Jacobsen and Poul Henningsen, Panton always sought to prioritize the functionalism of furniture design. But he proved far less conventional when it came to his use of new materials and colour, working with psychologists to better understand the role that colour played in shaping the psychology of an environment. “Most people spend their lives living in dreary, grey-beige conformity, mortally afraid of using colours,” he once said – an observation that went on to define his approach to interiors. The Flowerpot endures as an iconic example of his legacy. Created in 1968, it quickly became a visual symbol of the freewheeling Flower Power movement and the peace and love ideology that its followers espoused. Perhaps this was because it melded the precision of Danish design to an attitude of individualism, remaining practical while still playful; functional yet fun.
Verner Panton
Verner Panton started out as a painter before studying architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. After an apprenticeship with architect / designer Arne Jacobsen, Panton pursued a path in furniture and interior design, where he became famous for his avant-garde designs. Such as chairs with no legs and a sofa placed vertically against the wall. In the 60’s and 70’s, his passion for designing entire environments led to immersive interiors featuring his hypnotic patterns and futuristic designs for furniture, lighting, wallpapers, posters and rugs. Panton’s pioneering use of materials, colours and shapes earned him a reputation as a visionary.
The Flowerpot lamp became emblematic of the Flower Power peace movement during the 60’s. With its range of vivid colours, it is just as synonymous with modernity now as it was when launched in 1968. Panton’s Topan lamp - the first he ever designed - is the Flowerpot’s little sister, made up of a simple semi-sphere that can be configured in clusters. "Panton’s provocative use of materials, geometric shapes and psychedelic colours set him apart from his contemporaries," notes Martin Kornbek Hansen. "Our portfolio of &Tradition products wouldn’t be complete without this endearing example from this evangelist of radical design."
Craft meets art. Function meets form. Material meets potential.