The Semi Pendant Light.
A sculptural arch-shaped pendant drawing on the iconic 1968 Semi Pendant tradition by Danish architects Claus Bonderup and Torsten Thorup — a silhouette built from two quarter-circles placed back-to-back, executed in lacquered spun aluminum to cast a soft, cone-shaped down-light. Suited to dining tables, kitchen islands, breakfast nooks, entryways, and reception counters.
See it come to life.
Two quarter-circles, an icon since 1968.
A Danish geometry that refused the cosy era.
The Semi silhouette was first imagined in 1968 by two architecture students, Claus Bonderup and Torsten Thorup, at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Reacting against the soft, organic forms dominating Danish design at the time — what they called the cosy era — they pursued sharp, clean lines and pure geometry. The result: a pendant built from two quarter-circles placed back-to-back, creating the now-iconic arch shape. Their submission won first prize at the academy's competition.
By the 1980s, the lamp had become the best-selling Danish design of its decade and gained worldwide iconic status. This piece is inspired by that tradition — a faithful interpretation of the arch-shaped silhouette in lacquered spun aluminum, available in ten finishes. Pairs effortlessly with mid-century modern, Scandi, contemporary, minimalist, industrial, and design-forward interiors.
Pick the scale for your room.
coming soon
Details, on the record.
Ten finishes in lacquered, polished, or plated lacquer — pick a calm White or Beige for understated rooms, a graphic Black or Chrome for strong contrast, or a saturated Orange, Yellow, Green, Dark red, or Gold for a sculptural color statement. Swatch colors are visual approximations; please contact support@Lia.com for production samples before ordering.
Quick questions.
Which size should I choose for my space?
Both sizes deliver the same iconic arch silhouette and cone-shaped down-light — pick by visual scale and the surface beneath:
Dia 38 cm (∅ 15″): ideal for breakfast nooks, smaller dining tables (1.2-1.5 m / 4-5 ft), entryways, or as a single-spot accent.
Dia 47 cm (∅ 18.5″): ideal for full-length dining tables (1.6-2.2 m / 5-7 ft), kitchen islands, reception counters, or any room where the pendant becomes a sculptural focal point.
For multi-pendant arrangements over long islands or counters, both sizes can be hung in a row with roughly 60-80 cm spacing between centers.
How high should I hang it above a table or island?
Industry standard: hang the bottom of the pendant 75-90 cm (30-36″) above the table or counter surface. This keeps the cone-shaped light pool centered on the surface without blocking sightlines across the table during meals or conversation.
The Semi ships with a 150 cm / 59″ cord — extendable on request. Email support@Lia.com before ordering for a custom cord length.
Which finish should I pick?
The Semi's clean geometry reads strongly in any color — finish choice depends on the role you want it to play:
Calm anchors: White, Beige — recede into the architecture, let the silhouette do the work.
Graphic statement: Black, Chrome — strong contrast against pale walls and ceilings.
Color statement: Orange, Yellow, Green, Dark red — the pendant becomes the room's color anchor.
Warm metallics: Gold, Rose gold — pair with brass / wood / leather palettes.
Lacquered finishes are matte; Chrome is high-polish reflective; Rose gold and Gold are plated. Swatch colors on screen are approximations — request a production sample before ordering large quantities or commercial projects.
What kind of bulb does it use, and is it dimmable?
Single E26 or E27 medium screw bulb (LED or Edison-filament; not included). E26 is the US/Canada standard, E27 is the EU/UK/Asia/Australia standard — physically interchangeable. Recommended 2700-3000 K warm-white LED at 7-9 W, max 60 W incandescent equivalent.
The fixture itself has no built-in dimmer. Dimmable when paired with dimmable LED bulbs + a LED-rated wall dimmer. Confirm the dimmer is rated for low-wattage LED loads — older incandescent dimmers don't dim LEDs smoothly.
How is it installed?
The Semi is a ceiling-mounted hardwired pendant — it mounts to a standard ceiling junction box and connects to a common wall switch (not included). Installation should be performed by a licensed electrician unless you're experienced with line-voltage wiring. Refer to the Installation PDF in the Downloads section above for the wiring diagram.
The 150 cm cord can be field-shortened by a qualified electrician at install for lower ceilings, or extended in advance — contact support@Lia.com for custom lengths.
Where does the Semi work best?
The Semi's arch silhouette and cone-shaped down-light pair effortlessly with mid-century modern, Scandi, contemporary, minimalist, industrial, and design-forward interiors. Best placements:
Dining table: centered single pendant or a row of 2-3 over a long table.
Kitchen island / breakfast bar: evenly-spaced row of 2-3 above the counter for task lighting plus visual rhythm.
Entryway / foyer: single sculptural anchor at the threshold.
Reception / hospitality: ideal for restaurants, hotel lobbies, retail counters where iconic design signals quality.
Reading nook / study desk: the focused down-light pool flatters reading and writing.
What's the return policy?
30-day return policy on undamaged items in original packaging. Subtle variation in the lacquer finish across individual units is part of the spun-aluminum hand-finish character — not a defect. Contact support@Lia.com for returns or questions — we reply within 24 hours.