Gubi

Silk Lantern Pendant textile beige / Natural silk - H 70 cm

Silk Lantern Pendant Light: The Japanese lantern reimagined through Danish modernism

Designed in 1951 by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, the Silk Lantern pendant light is now bringing to life a project that remained unproduced for more than 70 years. Never produced at the time, it is now being manufactured for the first time by Gubi. Its long cylinder of natural silk elegantly embodies the fusion of two worlds: the lightness inspired by Japanese Lanterns and the formal clarity of Danish modernism.

A 1951 design that remained in the archives

The Silk Lantern belongs to a family of lighting fixtures originally conceived in several versions, including a Pendant, a Floor lamp, and a Wall light. Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen developed a shared design language characterized by cylindrical forms and a delicate combination of Textile, Wood, and Metal.

This design also reflects the richness of their collaboration. The two designers began working together in 1947 and, over the decades, designed nearly 300 pieces of furniture. Their work combines rationality, clean lines, and a particular attention to materials and artisanal craftsmanship.

Silk as a Light Filter

Measuring 70 cm in height and just 22 cm in diameter, the Silk Lantern features deliberately elongated proportions. Its lampshade is crafted from natural beige silk, framed by walnut veneer rings. A slender pendant element in Antique brass adds a touch of elegance, while the black textile cable discreetly emphasizes the lamp’s verticality.

Silk plays an especially essential role once the Lamp is lit. The light passes through the Textile and gradually diffuses along its entire height, creating an intimate interplay of light and shadow. The light source then recedes behind the fabric, giving way to a soft, almost ethereal glow.

Is the Silk Lantern pendant suitable for hanging over a dining table?

Yes, the Silk Lantern can be installed above a dining table when the primary goal is to create ambient lighting and a decorative presence. Its vertical shape differs from wide pendant lights that direct light across the entire table top.

Above a round or compact table, a single fixture can create a particularly elegant focal point. Over a large rectangular table, multiple pendant lights can be used to break up the length of the table top and distribute the light more evenly.

Where should you install a 70-cm-high pendant?

At 70 cm high, this pendant light requires more vertical space than a compact model. It naturally fits under high ceilings, in a living room corner, above a table, or in a stairwell.

It can also be repurposed away from traditional central lighting. Hung near a bedside table, it frees up the nightstand while creating an intimate atmosphere around the bed. Its modest 22-cm diameter makes it particularly well-suited for this type of installation.

What kind of light does the Silk Lantern emit?

The Silk Lantern emits a warm, soft, and atmospheric light. It comes equipped with a 6 W LED bulb E27 rated at 2700 K, with an opal finish, included. The natural silk further softens the direct perception of the light source and evens out its light.

It is therefore particularly well-suited for spaces where lighting contributes to the ambiance, such as a bedroom, living room, or dining room. For activities requiring brighter, more functional lighting, it works best when paired with other light sources.

Straddling the line between a light fixture and a Textile piece, Gubi’s Silk Lantern pendant transforms a 1951 Danish design into a surprisingly contemporary presence. When turned off, its silk and wood veneer reveal the delicacy of its construction. When turned on, it becomes a suspended column of light—warm and silent.

In detail:

• Variation : Beige

• Brand : Gubi

• Designer : Aksel Bender Madsen - Ejner Larsen

• Type : Pendant

• Colour : Lampshade: beige silk, dark wood rings, and brass pendant fixture—black cable

• Material : Lampshade: natural silk, walnut veneer rings, antique brass pendant fixture—black fabric cable

• Dimensions : Ø 22 x H 70 cm
• Weight : 1.87 lb
• Characteristics : Year founded: 1951 - Bulb included: 1 x LED bulb E27 6W, 2700K, opal - Ceiling rose included