Italian Brass, etched glass and capodimonte flowers Lantern from 50s
Located in Catania, CT
An Italian lantern from the 1950s, crafted from brass and featuring etched glass panels.
Brass
Antique Style Solid Brass Hanging Hallway Lantern w/ Etched Starburst Glass
Located in Delray Beach, FL
The frame is intricately detailed with ornate Rococo/Baroque-style flourishes, scrolling crests, and a matching decorative ceiling canopy. Every angle of this lantern showcases metic...
Brass
Pair of Rare Venetian Murano Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Glass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of Rare Venetian Murano Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Glass and Brass Details, circa 1900 An extraordinary and rare pair of antique Venetian bell jar lanterns, masterfully craf...
Brass
$899Sale Price|40% Off
Art Deco Style Mid Century Etched Glass Lead Table Lantern Lamp
Located in Lomita, CA
The faceted bodies with lead framing and etched glass panels, each enclosing three "candles" of varying heights, with wooden walnut tops and square ebonized bases.
Glass, Mahogany
$780Sale Price / item|40% Off
Italian Rococco Style Brass Lantern Hanging Wall Sconce w/ Etched Glass Panels
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This exquisite Italian Rococo hanging lantern is a true statement piece, crafted from solid brass. Radiates a warm patina that highlights its rich history and elegance. The lamp feat...
Brass
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze & Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light.
Bronze
Pair of American Brass Hall Lanterns with Orig, Frosted Etched Globes, Gas, 1860
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American brass foliage hall lanterns with the original frosted etched flared globes and filigree cock keys. Pair of lanterns were originally gas and have been electrified. Mi...
Brass
French Antique Cut Glass Hall Lantern Louis XVI Style
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Antique Cut Glass Hall Lantern Louis XVI Style This charming French antique cut glass hall lantern is crafted in the elegant Louis XVI style and features a circular clear cu...
Bronze
French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Glass lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most charming French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu and Glass lantern. This stunning lantern is centered by a most decorative pierced bottom inverted finial. Four...
Ormolu
Fine Large Vaughan Lighting Bell Jar Glass Bronze Neoclassical Lantern Fixture
By Vaughan Designs
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large vintage Vaughan lighting etched glass / crystal bell jar lantern in a diamond pattern with leaf fern details and bronze housing and decorative chain in the neoclass...
Bronze
$1,150Sale Price|36% Off
Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron, Glass 4 Lantern Chandelier With Canopy
Located in Miami, FL
Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron, Glass 4 Lantern Chandelier With Canopy Offered for sale is a substantial antique Arts and Crafts 4-lantern chandelier. The chandelier has 4 frosted g...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Stunning Victorian Lighting Gothic Brass & Mouth Blown Art Glass Pendant Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
The beautifully patinated brass is all hand-crafted, but the unique art glass shade with its unique hand-etched, flowery patterns and amazing color is what makes this antique truly s...
Brass
Large Late 20th Century Beveled Glass and Brass Framed Pendant / Lantern Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful design and large size Eastern light fixture. From a home with several rare light fixtures from different eras we also acquired this extraordinary size and shape pendant....
Brass
Art Deco Fontana Arte Pendant Lamp Lantern Blue Glass Brass, Italy, 1940
By Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare, documented glass lantern by Fontana Arte, circa 1940 Stunning large blue glass lantern with etched rhombus pattern and fine brass work.
Brass
Pair, Jacques Adnet Style Medium Size Sconces Lantern Wall Lamps France 1960
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Adnet style sconces, wall lights, lantern lamps in brass, etched glass and gun metal.
Brass, Steel
Jacques Adnet Style Largest Size Sconces Lantern Wall Lamps France 1960, Pair
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Adnet style sconces, wall lights, lantern lamps in brass, etched glass and gun metal, this is the largest size, measures 31 inches height.
Brass, Steel
Gio Ponti Style Mid-Century Brass Crown Pendant Lamp Lantern, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Italian modernist ceiling light from the 1950s. Made of polished brass, it has a conical satined lampshade with a wonderful etched Mid-century pattern on it and a nice lit...
Brass
Set of 3 English Etched Glass Lanterns, sold individually
Located in New York, NY
A set of etched glass lantern circa 1910 with criss cross pattern, three interior candelabra lights.
Glass
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.