Naturalistic Faux Bois Form Hexagonal Lantern with Gilded Bow Knots
Located in Stamford, CT
Naturalistic form hexagonal lantern with gilded bow knots. Faux Bois tree forms make up the armature of the frame.
Iron
Wonderful French Ribbon Bow Gilt Bronze Three-Light Lantern Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful petite lantern with curved glass sides and beautiful etched detail from the ribbon bows that accent the top to the filigree decorated arms of the three lights.
Bronze
Wonderful Italian Three-Light Painted Lantern Fixture Green Ribbons Bows Flowers
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful creamy white tole lantern decorated with ribbons, bows and flowers accented with green trim.
Metal
Wonderful Bronze Readed X-Pattern Curved Glass Lantern Neoclassical Bow Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French bronze readed x-pattern curved glass lantern neoclassical fixture having three candelabra lights inside, accompanied by chain canopy and mounting hardware.
Bronze
Elegant French Dore Bronze Four-Light Lantern With Bows & Swags Bent Glass
Located in Roslyn, NY
This ornately French lantern is decorated with beautiful dore bronze décor of bows with pine cones, swags, ribbons and tassels draping all 4 panels of this circular lantern.
Bronze
Palatial Large French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Ribbon & Bow Swag Lantern Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Exquisite French Louis XVI style gilt bronze three-light lantern fixture adorned with bronze beaded swags and finished with a center medallion of a bow.
Bronze
Palace Size Impressive Bronze Dore Lantern 19th C. with Bows and Swags 4 Lights
Located in Houston, TX
Large and exquisite lantern having 4 large cast acorn finials at the crest.
Bronze
Sold|$3,474 / set
Pair of Copper Bow Lights
Located in Norwell, MA
Authentic pair of copper bow lights with Fresnel lenses, cornerback, rear door, carry handles, patent badges, hinged chimney tops and red and blue bulbs. Badges read: "Bow starb...
Sold|$354
Port and Starboard Bow Light
Located in Norwell, MA
Port and starboard bow light from a motor boat. Red and green Fresnel lens, carry handle, painted galvanized steel. Dimensions: 6" x 6".
Pair of Very Large American 19th Century Ship's Bow Lights with Fresnel Lens
By Perko Co.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of exceptionally large ship's lanterns by renowned Perko ship chandlers in Brooklyn, NY, circa 1910.
Brass, Sheet Metal
Sold|$449
Solid Brass Boat Lantern from Bow
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished and lacquered nautical boat lantern with red and blue Fresnel lenses. Mounted to a thick wood base with dark finish. Lantern has been wired for home use. Weight is 3 ...
Brass
French Ormolu Bronze Large Bow, Ribbon and Tassel -Four Light Lantern with Door
Located in Roslyn, NY
Beautiful bows, ribbons and tassels drape around the sides of the 4 light chandelier.
Bronze, Ormolu
Beautiful Vintage Large Italian Crystal Beaded Gilt Boat Chandelier Ship Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
This gilt schooner boat chandelier is beautifully detailed with a crystal beaded keel, crystal star accents and lantern on the bow. Crystal beads highlight the various lines to the t...
Crystal
Early 1900s Carved Wood Chandelier from Brittany, France, "Sailors of St. Malo"
Located in Dallas, TX
The anchors are separated by well-done carvings of fishermen clad in trawler oilskins and bucket mariner’s caps holding a lantern held out over the ship’s bow (each lantern is a ligh...
Wood
Sold|$139
Brass Bow Lantern, Heavy
Located in Norwell, MA
Heavy brass bow lantern with a clear Fresnel lens. Overall dimensions: 5.5" H x 5.5" W.
Sold|$359
Mounted Marine Bow Lantern
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass pleasure craft bow lantern with flagpole receptacle for pennant.
Sold|$899
Brass Bow Lantern from Boat
Located in Norwell, MA
Polished and lacquered solid brass bow lantern with three bull’s-eye lenses. The lenses are for port, starboard and forward.
Brass
Sold|$499
Brass Bow Lantern from Boat
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass port and starboard boat lantern by Perko. The red port lantern has a vertical crack. Lantern is mounted to a wood base and is electrified for home display. Weight is 4 po...
Brass
Sold|$1,195
Solid Brass Boat Bow Lantern
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished and lacquered boat lantern with glass port and starboard fresnel glass lenses, carry ring, wide shroud and vented chimney. Lantern has been wired for home display. Wi...
Brass
Sold|$550
Brass Port and Starboard Bow Lantern
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished and lacquered bow boat lantern. With blue and red Fresnel glass lenses.
Brass
Sold|$550
Brass Boat Lantern by Perko
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass ship or boat bow lantern by Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation of Brooklyn, New York.
Brass
Sold|$1,340
Antique Italian Bow Glass Pendant Lantern
Located in London, GB
A large bow glass lantern. Patinated brass and thick curved glass, Italy, circa 1930s.
Brass
Wonderful French Ormolu Bronze Large Bow Ribbon Tassel Swag Four-Light Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French ormolu bronze large bow / ribbon / tassel swag four candelabra light lantern chandelier enclosed with curved bent glass and glass bottom, surrounded along the top ...
Bronze
An Unusual Pair of Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Bow Fronted Wall Lanterns
Located in Benington, Herts
An Unusual Pair of Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Bow Fronted Wall Lanterns Executed in Gilt Brass French - Circa 1900 These fine wall lanterns feature two finely cast candle a...
Brass
Sold|$7,500
Italian Tole Lantern
Located in Westwood, NJ
Unusual polychrome Italian tole peinte hall lantern with bow knots, flowers and door.
Pair of Perko Yacht Chrome Plated Bow Running Lights, circa 1950
By Perko Co.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of Perko chrome-plated bow running lights for a yacht, circa 1950. Very scarce chromed port and starboard lights with red and green Fresnel lens (respectively).
Chrome
Brass Bow Boat Lantern by Perko of Brooklyn New York
By Perkins Marine Lamp
Located in Norwell, MA
Boat lantern by Perko of Brooklyn New York. This lantern has been meticulously polished and lacquered to a very high standard. Also wired for home use and mounted to a thick mahogany...
Brass
Wonderful Large Bronze Three-Light Bow Tassle Hexagon Lantern Pendent Fixture
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Roslyn, NY
Beautiful etched bronze hexagon shaped lantern, pendent or chandelier fixture with Greek key cutout design around the bottom, fluted edges filigree edges the top edge and ribbon bows...
Bronze
Fine Pair Bronze Readed X-Pattern Curved Glass Lantern Neoclassical Bow Fixtures
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair of classic gilt bronze and curved glass four light lanterns. With beautiful scrolls curving at the top and supporting the lights, and beautiful etching around the bron...
Bronze
Wonderful French Bow Gilt Doré Bronze and Frosted Art Glass Chandelier Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful three-light gilt bronze floral and beautiful frosted glass chandelier lantern. The gilt bronze decorates the glass with draped floral and ribbon bows surrounding the chan...
Bronze
Fine Pair Large Doré Bronze Louis XVI Lantern Fixtures Curved Glass Panels Bows
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant pair of doré bronze five-light lanterns with etched ribbed bronze trim on top and bottom of the lanterns are fluted reed trim with cross bows around a curved glass panel a...
Bronze
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.
Working with resin, a tricky material, has created moments of failure — and enlightenment.
Commissioned for the lakeside villa of a Finnish industrialist, it illuminated visits with dignitaries.
Across New York, there’s no shortage of statement lighting on view.
The 1920s design is a thrilling combination of saturated colors, ancient motifs and modern aesthetics.
Designed by a giant of Swedish lighting, the large-scale fixtures bring major drama.
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Before founding the Memphis Group, Sottsass bent the rules of lighting design with the wonderfully wavy Cometa.
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.