VERPAN Fun 11DM pendant light, chrome-coloured, mother-of-pearl

The dazzling Fun 11DM designer pendant light made from mother-of-pearl chains

Designed in 1964 by the Danish designer Verner Panton, the Fun 11DM pendant light has lost none of its charm to this day. In the mid-20th century, Panton made a name for himself as a furniture and lighting designer. He became famous above all for his unconventional creations, all of which bear Panton’s unmistakable signature. One of his earliest designs was the Fun series of lights. Inspired by the fascinating properties of the biomineral mother-of-pearl, the then 38-year-old created a lighting fixture that plays with transparency and iridescent reflections. Dozens of chains made of mother-of-pearl discs are attached to five shiny chrome-plated, concentric metal rings; these are connected to one another by stainless steel rings, allowing them to move freely. This pendant light makes use not only of mother-of-pearl’s translucency but also of its characteristic iridescent surface texture to create an unrivalled shimmering effect. It is fittingly nicknamed ‘Mother of Pearls’.

With a diameter of 70 cm, the Fun 11DM is a lighting fixture best suited to reception halls, ballrooms or foyers, where it fills the surroundings with its luxurious flair – whether used on its own or in combination with other lights from this series. The 400 cm long, fabric-covered cable even allows for installation in rooms with very high ceilings. When a draught strips the sea of mother-of-pearl chains, a gentle sound is produced, reminiscent of a wind chime. If the pendant light is fitted with a traditional light bulb, even the heat generated by the bulb is capable of setting the shell chains into gentle vibrations and producing this harmonious sound.