Sold|$1,775
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Grape Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An exquisite antique bell jar lantern with an etched grape motif. This circa 1880 pendant features superb quality hand blown glass and its original, embossed brass band and glass smo...
Brass
Sold|$1,025
Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Perfect for smaller spaces and/or lower ceiling heights, this lantern features its original smoke bell/lid and brass chains.
Brass
Sold|$1,275
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A lovely petite antique bell jar lantern with full form and an etched wheat motif.
Brass
Sold|$1,525
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An authentic circa 1880 English hand blown glass bell jar lantern with its original brass band, chains and smoke bell/lid.
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An exceptional quality hand blown glass antique bell jar lantern with its original bell-shaped smoke lid.
Brass
Sold|$1,075
Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Perfect for smaller spaces and/or lower ceiling heights, this lantern features its original smoke bell/lid. The brass band, which has an embossed floral pattern, was replaced at some...
Brass
Sold|$1,950
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
An antique English bell jar lantern with distinctive form and a cut-glass star motif.
Brass
Sold|$1,475
Antique Blown Glass Globe Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A truly beautiful antique globe bell jar lantern, this circa 1870 pendant features excellent quality hand blown glass (replete with desirable swirls and air bubbles) and all-original...
Brass
Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Ideal for smaller spaces and/or low ceiling heights, the pendant features its original smoke bell/lid. The brass band, which has an embossed floral pattern, was replaced at some poin...
Brass
Sold|$1,575
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Lovely form and excellent quality hand blown glass makes this circa 1870 English bell jar lantern a true standout in our collection.
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Federal Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An antique English bell jar lantern, circa 1890, with lovely form and good quality hand blown glass—including several desirable air bubbles in the bell jar, itself, and swirls in the...
Brass
Sold|$3,350
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Floral Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A superb quality hand blown glass bell jar lantern with wonderful form and an etched floral motif.
Brass
Sold|$2,250
Pair of Antique Globe Bell Jar Lanterns
Located in Heath, MA
It is rare to find a pair of authentic antique hand blown glass globe bell jar lanterns of this quality. These circa 1870 English "sister" pendants feature lovely form and all-origin...
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A charming English bell jar lantern, circa 1870, with its original rolled brass band and chains.
Brass
Sold|$1,325
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A petite, hand blown glass English bell jar lantern with lovely form and an etched wheat motif.
Brass
Sold|$1,950
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Floral Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An outstanding antique English bell jar lantern with a finely etched floral motif.
Brass
Sold|$2,950
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
In addition, the authentic brass finial/candleholder base and embossed band add character to this antique lantern.
Brass
Sold|$1,275
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
An antique English bell jar lantern featuring very good quality hand blown glass and a cut-glass star motif that complements the lovely form of this circa 1890 lantern.
Brass
Sold|$2,175
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The brass band, which has an embossed floral design, was replaced at some point in time to ensure that the lantern is secure when hanging.
Brass
Sold|$1,200
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
This circa 1870 hand blown glass bell jar lantern has lovely form accentuated by a finely etched star motif.
Brass
Sold|$3,100
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
This circa 1850 lantern features its original embossed brass band and brass finial/candleholder base (see photo detail).
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An antique English bell jar lantern with classic form and an etched trellis motif.
Brass
Antique Cranberry Glass Melon Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A rare cranberry-colored melon- or pumpkin-shaped bell jar lantern from Belgium, circa 1890. The color is in the cranberry family, but is closer in hue to that of a Burmese ruby.
Brass
Sold|$1,250
19th Century Etched Globe Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A charming circa 1870 hand blown glass globe lantern from England with lovely contours and a finely etched meandering vine motif. The lantern has its authentic adorned brass band joi...
Brass
19th Century English Clear Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
Classic hand blown English bell jar lantern, circa 1830, with all-original brass fittings.
Brass
19th Century Bell Jar Lantern with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A petite English bell jar lantern, circa 1840 with finely etched stars and simple brass finial (candle holder) that accentuates this lantern's lovely lines.
Brass
Pair of Bell Jar Lanterns with "Wheat" Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Charming pair of 19th century English hand blown glass bell jar lanterns with a finely etched wheat design that complements the full form of these hall lanterns.
Brass
Pair of Antique Clear Glass Bell Jar Lanterns
Located in Heath, MA
A lovely pair of clear, hand blown glass bell jar lanterns from England, circa 1870. These well-matched pendants are newly electrified with a three-bulb candelabra cluster and ship r...
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Amber Colored Glass
Located in Heath, MA
A rich amber-colored bell jar lantern with its original smoke bell and a decorated brass band with embossed vine design.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Federal Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A charming hand blown glass English bell jar lantern, circa 1880, with its original rolled brass band and a complementary Federal-style etching.
Brass
English Globe Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The hall lantern has its original brass candle holder finial base and its glass smoke bell.
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Amber Colored Glass
Located in Heath, MA
A rich amber-colored hand blown glass bell jar lantern with its original embossed brass band, finial and glass smoke bell.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Diamond Etching
Located in Heath, MA
This circa 1880 lantern features excellent quality hand blown glass and its original rolled brass band and smoke bell/lid.
Brass
Antique Hand Blown Glass Globe Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
It is rare to find antique English globe bell jar lantern of this quality. It is even more rare to find one this generously sized.
Brass
Antique Emerald Green Glass Globe Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A rare and beautiful emerald-colored hand blown glass globe bell jar lantern from Belgium, circa 1890. The lantern has attractive form and features its original glass smoke bell and ...
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A petite bell jar lantern with graceful form and an etched trellis motif.
Brass
Sold|$1,985
Pair of Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
These hall lanterns have their original rolled brass bands and simple brass finials/candleholder bases.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
The lantern features all-original fittings, including its glass smoke bell, brass finial/candle holder base and rolled brass band.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Federal Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An elegant antique hand blown glass English bell jar lantern with Federal-style etching. This circa 1880 pendant light features an original embossed brass band and complementary repl...
Brass
Large English Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The quality of the glass is excellent, with desirable air bubbles and swirls in the lantern and its original smoke bell. The embossed brass band, which also has a vine design, was re...
Brass
Pair of Bell Jar Lanterns with Frosted Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An unusual pair of English handblown glass bell jar lanterns with decorative smoke bells, circa 1870.
Brass
Mid-19th Century Clear Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
An antique English bell jar lantern with elegant form and authentic brass fittings—including a rare embossed band with tassel motif that adds just the right amount of ornamentation t...
Brass
Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Grape Leaf Etching
Located in Heath, MA
This circa 1880 petite pendant features a period embossed brass band and finial candleholder base. The quality of the hand blown glass is excellent, with desirable swirls in the lant...
Brass
Pair of Bell Jar Lanterns with Floral Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A pair of English bell jar lanterns, circa 1880, with a finely etched floral motif.
Brass
Antique English Hand Blown Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A beautiful, classic English bell jar lantern with clear hand blown glass. This circa 1850 lantern features an original embossed band and teardrop finial/candleholder base.
Brass
Petite Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A charming petite English bell jar lantern, circa 1880, with excellent quality hand blown glass and a finely etched wheat motif.
Brass
19th Century Bell Jar Lantern with Federal Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The brass band, which was replaced at some point in the lantern's journey, has an interesting scroll or wave pattern.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An English hand blown glass bell jar lantern with lovely form and an etched vine motif.
Brass
Pair of Antique Clear Glass Bell Jar Lanterns
Located in Heath, MA
An outstanding pair of bell jar lanterns, circa 1870, with original rolled brass bands.
Brass
Petite Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The brass band and chains have been replaced to ensure the integrity of the lantern when hanging.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Grape Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A very sweet, petite English bell jar lantern, circa 1870, with attractive form and a finely etched grape and vine motif.
Brass
Petite English Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
A petite 19th century hand blown glass bell jar lantern from England with etched stars.
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A charming, petite English bell jar lantern with etched stars. Perfect for small spaces and/or low ceiling heights, the pendant features several desirable air bubbles in the hand blo...
Brass
Antique English Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An authentic antique bell jar lantern of this size and quality is truly a rare find.
Brass
Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Floral Motif
Located in Heath, MA
An antique English bell jar lantern with beautiful form and very good quality hand blown glass This circa 1870 pendant, which has a finely etched floral motif, features all-original ...
Brass
Antique Globe Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An exceptional bell jar lantern in our collection, this circa 1860 English globe pendant has lovely form and features all-original brass fittings—including its embossed brass band, o...
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A beautiful antique English bell jar lantern with excellent quality hand blown glass and an etched vine motif.
Brass
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.
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