Amber Bell Lantern
Antique 19th Century British British Colonial Lanterns
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Lanterns
Brass
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Doors and Gates
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Doors and Gates
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Windows
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
20th Century Regency Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Windows
Lead
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Wall Lights and Sconces
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Windows
Lead
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Lanterns
Iron
Antique 19th Century European Windows
Stained Glass
Antique 18th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1930s European Chinese Chippendale Lanterns
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century German Medieval Windows
Lead
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Windows
Lead
20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Side Tables
Wood, Walnut, Oak
Recent Sales
20th Century Lanterns
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century English Lanterns
20th Century American Lanterns
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Lanterns
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Antique 19th Century Lanterns
Glass
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown High Victorian Lanterns
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English High Victorian Lanterns
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Chandeliers and Pendants
Blown Glass
Finding the Right lanterns for You
Whether you’re in search of a functional fixture to help illuminate a room or just a minimalist ornamental touch, the choice of lighting is important. Selecting the perfect vintage, new or antique lanterns can transform an otherwise monotonous space in your home.
In the 1700s, lanterns became widely popular when accessibility broadened for whale oil, as fuel for lamps was one of its earliest uses. Lantern design evolved considerably during the mid- to late 19th century, when a powerful, adaptable fuel came into play: kerosene. Portable and immediately sought after, kerosene lamps were traditionally surrounded by a glass globe or tube that sat on a metal frame to protect the flame from spreading or extinguishing. (While reproductions abound, antique kerosene lanterns have since become collector's items.)
Later, in 1862, John H. Irwin created coil oil lamps, which were designed for coal oils as well as kerosene and lessened the risk of fire. They required plentiful oxygen to remain lit, and with refinements, the lamps could be used indoors. Lanterns increasingly came to be part of commercial spaces such as museums and theaters, and over time, lighting artisans worked to refine and perfect these innovative fixtures so that they weren’t only practical but also elegant, sophisticated additions to home decor.
Antiques inject a touch of classical chic into any space. With the right lantern, you could also deepen the impact of the collection of vases and vessels, sculptures or other decorative objects in a living room or dining room. It’s essential to find a balance between utility and aesthetics when choosing the perfect vintage–style lantern for your space, and the right lighting decisions can determine the underlying mood of a room as well as enhance the choices you’ve made for your home’s decor. While old-time charm is something to be cherished, there is lots to love in modern lanterns from today’s top furniture designers.
On 1stDibs, search by creator to find lanterns crafted by the likes of Woka Lamps, Barovier & Toso and Material Lust or browse the collection by style. From today’s standouts to mid-century modern classics to Art Deco–era innovations, find the best vintage, new or antique lantern for you now.
Read More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Christopher Tennant’s Lamps and Dioramas Evoke Sunny Days and Seaside Locales
The former magazine editor blends elements of the Far East and America’s eastern shores, bringing wit and delight to his handmade, upcycled designs.
Paavo Tynell’s Snowflake Chandelier Warms Up Any Room
This circa 1950 piece by the legendary Finnish lighting designer spent the past several decades in a family's home in Michigan.
NASA Parachutes Inspired Lighting Designer Bec Brittain’s New Collection
In "Paraciphers," now on view at Emma Scully Gallery in New York, Brittain introduces works that were more than a decade in the making.
This Handsome Leather Pendant Light Is Crafted Using Saddle-Making Techniques
The Doma by L’Aviva Home nods to Colombia’s equestrian heritage.
Celebrate Spring Year-Round with This Lush Murano-Glass Chandelier
Hand-blown glass makes the Italian fixture glow like dew-covered leaves in the sun.