In short: The Flowerpot is a lamp designed by Verner Panton in 1968 — two facing hemispheres, one glowing inside the other. Named after Flower Power, it embodied the optimism of the late sixties and never left. Re-issued by &Tradition, it now spans pendants (VP1), table lamps (VP3, VP4) and the cordless, rechargeable VP9 — arguably today’s most popular portable lamp. Clay Concept carries the full range in Dubai.
Very few lamps survive their decade. Fewer still get more popular half a century later. The Flowerpot has done both — and understanding why says a lot about what makes design last.
1968: two hemispheres and an idea
Danish designer Verner Panton — the great colourist of modernism — drew the Flowerpot in 1968: a hemispherical shade hovering over an upturned hemisphere half its diameter. The lower dome hides the bulb and bounces the light back into the upper shade, producing a glare-free, warm pool of light — a trick of geometry, not diffusers.
Panton named it after the Flower Power movement; it lit the psychedelic interiors of his legendary Visiona installations and became shorthand for sixties optimism: friendly, round, unapologetically colourful.
From VP1 to VP9: the family
Re-issued and expanded by Danish house &Tradition, the family now covers every use:
- VP1 — the original pendant; hang it low over a bedside or in a cluster over a dining table.
- VP3 / VP4 — table lamps for consoles, desks and shelves.
- VP7 — the larger pendant for dining rooms and voids.
- VP9 Portable — the game-changer: cordless, rechargeable, dimmable; it moves from kitchen counter to terrace table to bedside in one evening.
- VP10 — the compact wall lamp.
Finishes run from matte Zesty Orange and Swim Blue to chrome, brass and quiet neutrals — Panton’s colour courage, made current.
Why the portable VP9 took over
The VP9 arrived exactly when homes needed it: sockets stopped dictating where light lives. In Dubai especially — where evenings move to the terrace — a rechargeable Flowerpot is the easiest luxury in the house: warm, dimmable light wherever the evening goes (more in our lighting guide). It’s also the rare icon under the price of a dinner for four — design history as an impulse buy.
Styling the Flowerpot
- Pairs and trios — two VP9s on a long console, or a colour pair bracketing a sofa.
- One bold, rest quiet — a Zesty Orange VP9 sings loudest in a tonal, neutral room.
- Low pendants — hang a VP1 30–40cm above a bedside table instead of a table lamp.
- Inside-outside — carry the same portable from dining table to terrace; the room follows the light.
An icon you can actually own
Original 1968 Flowerpots trade as collectibles, but the &Tradition re-issues are produced to Panton’s drawings — same geometry, better electronics. It is the definition of an entry-level icon: authentic authorship, everyday use. Explore the Flowerpot range at Clay Concept, alongside our portable lamps and iconic pieces.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Flowerpot lamp?
Verner Panton, in 1968. It is produced today by Danish design house &Tradition, which holds the rights to Panton’s design.
Is the Flowerpot VP9 worth it?
Yes — it’s an authentic design icon, rechargeable and dimmable, with build quality far above generic portable lamps, and it holds its value and relevance year after year.
Where can I buy the Flowerpot lamp in Dubai?
At Clay Concept — Wasl Square showroom or clayconcept.ae — which carries the Flowerpot family including the portable VP9 in multiple colours, with UAE-wide delivery.
See the full &Tradition collection and our designer lighting edit — or visit the Wasl Square showroom to see the Flowerpot lit in person.
Author: Clay Concept Editorial.