Petite 19th Century Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A Classic, smaller-sized English bell jar lantern, circa 1860, with lovely form and its original smoke bell and unadorned brass candleholder base.
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Large 19th Century Bell Jar Lantern with "Star" Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Elegant English handblown hall lantern, circa 1870, with its original smoke bell, chains and an exceptional embossed brass band.
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Suite of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The lanterns ship ready to install using the toned brass ceiling canopies and chain provided (as shown).
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19th Century English Bell Jar Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The hall lantern has its original smoke bell and a rare brass band, which is unadorned but dated 1878 with stamped Roman numerals (see image #8).
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Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Diamond Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The lanterns feature Classic smoke bells as well as authentic rolled brass bands.
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Set of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Grape Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A set of three antique English hand blown glass bell jar lanterns—two with an etched grape and leaf motive and one with a complementary grape pattern.
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19th Century Petite Bell Jar Lantern with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An English bell jar lantern, circa 1860, with a tasteful vine etching that complements this diminutive hall lantern beautifully.
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Antique Aqua Blue Melon or Pumpkin Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
The lantern's brass finial/candle holder base, which is slightly canted is original to the lantern.
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Set of Three Bell Jar Lanterns with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
These charming lanterns have their original smoke bells/lids; however, the embossed brass bands and chains have been replaced for the security of the pendants when hanging.
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Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Manufactured by S&C Bishop in England, this beautiful pair of circa 1890 bell jar lanterns is amply sized and features very good quality hand blown glass, as well as all-original bra...
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Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Grape and Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The circa 1890 lantern has an original rolled brass band with a nice patina and glass smoke bell/lid.
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Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
These circa 1880 English pendants feature their original glass smoke bells and chains. The brass bands, which have a meandering vine design, were replaced at some point in time to in...
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Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A very well-matched pair of antique English bell jar lanterns with lovely form and a finely etched star motif.
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Pair of English Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
A wonderful pair of 19th century bell jar lanterns from England with authentic rolled brass bands and chains.
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Pair of Large Bell Jar Lanterns with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
These hall lanterns feature their original smoke bells and one retains its original brass band (the other has been replaced for security reasons).
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Pair of Petite Bell Jar Lanterns with Star Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A pair of petite bell jar lanterns with lovely form and a finely etched star motif.
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Pair of Petite Bell Jar Lanterns with Federal Etching
Located in Heath, MA
An exceptional pair of antique bell jar lanterns with a Federal-style etching. From smoke bell to glass pontil, it is rare to find a set of bell jars that it is this well-matched and...
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Antique Bell Jar Lantern with Grape and Leaf Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A beautiful antique bell jar lantern from England, circa 1880, with superb quality hand blown glass and an etched and polished grape and leaf design.
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19th Century Belgian Cranberry Glass Globe Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A charming and rare cranberry-colored hand blown glass globe bell jar lantern from Belgium, circa 1890, with attractive form and its original embossed brass band and chains.
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Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Stars
Located in Heath, MA
A well-matched pair of antique English bell jar lanterns with shapely form and an etched star motif.
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Pair of 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with "Diamond" Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Very lovely, large pair of English handblown bell jar lanterns, circa 1860, with an etched diamond pattern that complements the form of these hall lanterns beautifully.
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Pair of 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with Floral Etching
Located in Heath, MA
In addition, the lanterns' fittings are all-original—including smoke bells, brass bands and chain.
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19th Century Petite English Bell Jar Lantern with Grape Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The quality of this circa 1880 pendant is excellent, with several desirable air bubbles in the handblown glass. The hall lantern has its original brass band and smoke bell.
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Pair of 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Pair of shapely, medium-sized hand blown glass bell jar hall lanterns with etched "trellis" pattern that complements the contours of these lanterns very nicely.
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Antique Bell Jar Pumpkin or Melon Lantern with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
This rare circa 1890 lantern features all-original fittings, including its pressed smoke bell/lid with a complementary etching, rolled brass band and chains.
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Antique Globe Bell Jar Lanterns with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A rare, well-matched pair of antique English hand blown glass globe bell jar lanterns with an etched vine motif, circa 1910.
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Pair of Antique Petite Bell Jar Lanterns with Trellis Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A rare, well-matched pair of petite English hand blown glass bell jar lanterns. Perfect for smaller spaces and/or lower ceiling heights, these circa 1890 pendants feature lovely form...
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19th Century Aqua Blue Bell Jar Melon or Pumpkin Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
This rare, authentic circa 1890 bell jar lantern features all-original fittings, including its pressed smoke bell or lid, rolled brass band and chains.
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Pair of Petite Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A charming pair of hand blown glass bell jar lanterns with an etched wheat motif., circa 1890.
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Set of Antique Globe Bell Jar Lanterns with Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
Note that there is a very slight variation in pattern on one of the lanterns. The smoke bells/lids, strands of chain and brass finials are original to the globes.
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Pair of Antique Petite Bell Jar Lanterns with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A rare, well-matched pair of petite English bell jar lanterns with an etched wheat motif, circa 1860.
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19th Century Emerald Green Pumpkin or Melon Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A rare 19th century Belgian green glass ribbed melon or pumpkin lantern hand blown in Belgium. This circa 1890 heirloom is in very good condition and has its original press glass smo...
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Early 20th Century Small Size Bell Jar Lantern with Etched Glass
Located in Raalte, NL
Old candle lantern lantern also called bell jar with carved brass frame and peacock heads on which the chains hang and inside the candleholder with the vapor trap above (can be elect...
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Set of Three Petite Antique Bell Jar Lanterns with Floral Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A rare suite of three petite antique hand blown glass bell jar lanterns with complementary floral etchings and brass bands.
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19th Century Large English Bell Jar Lantern with Grape Leaf Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The hall lantern has its original smoke bell. Its chains and brass band, which has an embossed vine design, have been replaced for safety.
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Pair of 19th Century English Bell Jar Lanterns with Diamond Etching
Located in Heath, MA
These circa 1875 medium-sized lanterns are cut with a Waterford-like diamond motif and feature period smoke bells and embossed brass bands with a golden hue.
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Pair of Large 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with Wheat Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A very beautiful pair of handblown glass bell jar lanterns with an etched wheat motif. These circa 1880 English hall lanterns are generously sized, nicely proportioned, and well-matc...
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Pair of Petite 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with Diamond Etching
Located in Heath, MA
These smaller-sized hall lanterns have original smoke bells, brass bands and chain.
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Early 19th Century English Regency Frosted and Etched Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Charleston, SC
An early 19th century English Regency frosted glass bell jar lantern with brass, circa 1830, featuring floral etchings, three pendant drop and smoke bell.
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Pair of 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with Grape and Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
A lovely, well-matched pair of antique bell jar lanterns from England. These circa 1870 pendants boast excellent quality handblown glass and a finely etched vine with grape design th...
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Pair of 19th Century English Bell Jar Lanterns with Grape and Vine Etching
Located in Heath, MA
The hall lanterns are in excellent condition and have their original smoke bells, brass finials and bands with a vine design.
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Pair of 20th Century Brass Bound Four-Light Bell Jar Lanterns, Crystal Prisms
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of 20th century brass bound four-light bell jar lanterns with crystal prisms incredible form new wiring.
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Hollywood Regency Mid 20th Century Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Charleston, SC
Hollywood Regency mid 20th century bell jar lantern. This high style Bell Lantern has a brass smoke bells with 3 brass chains descending to the Greek Key Band.
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Pair of Large 19th Century Bell Jar Lanterns with Diamond Etching
Located in Heath, MA
These well-matched antique bell jar lights have all-original fittings, including glass smoke bells and rolled brass bands and chain.
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Vintage Etched Glass Bell Jar with Antique Brass Finish
Located in Canton, MA
Clear glass bell jar with etched laurel design and antique brass finish.
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Late 20th Century Clear Glass Bell Jar with Darkened Brass Finish
Located in Canton, MA
Clear Glass Bell Jar with Darkened Brass Finish. Bell jar lanterns first reached popularity in colonial India and due to their lingering popularity, production has continued to the p...
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Late 20th Century Lattice Cut Glass Bell Jar with Darkened Brass Finish
Located in Canton, MA
Clear lattice cut glass bell jar with darkened brass finish. Bell jar lanterns first reached popularity in colonial India and due to their lingering popularity, production has contin...
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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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