19th Century Antique Victorian Bell Jar Lanterns, Glass & Brass
Located in New York, NY
Three different color bell jar lanterns with brass details. Stunning pigment like cobalt can be dated back as far as 1802, making these ceiling fixtures even more extrordinary. Me...
Brass
Large Bell Jar Lantern Hand Blown Glass Etched Grapevines Motifs, England, 1830s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A good size vintage hand-blown glass bell jar lantern with central three-bulb candelabra cluster. England, 1930-1939. Glass bell with etched engraved grapevines motifs hold by a burn...
Brass
Late 19th Century English Bell Jar
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautiful English bell jar lantern with brass acanthus leaf chain hooks and a heavy band glass holder. The brass has a beautiful, antique patina. Hand blown jar and smoke bell. Thr...
Brass
19th Century Amethyst Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Of ribbed tapering form; mounted with foliate-embossed brass banding.
Brass
Extra Large Handblown Clear Glass Bell Jar with Coral Design
Located in New York, NY
Large, clear handblown glass bell jar for item display in Victorian style.
Glass
Pair of Handblown Glass Bell Jar Lanterns with Grape Etching
Located in Long Island City, NY
Each of these beautiful 19th century handblown glass bell jar lanterns is ornamented with an etched grape-and-vine motif. Three chains from the glass smoke bell and brass canopy atta...
Glass
19th Century English Cobalt Blue Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Fitted with three electrified candelabra and mounted with foliate-embossed brass banding.
Brass
Pair of Handblown Glass Bell Jar Lanterns with Diamond Etching
Located in Long Island City, NY
Each of these beautiful 19th century handblown glass bell jar lanterns is ornamented with an etched diamond motif. Three chains from the glass smoke bell and brass canopy attach to p...
Brass
Pair of Handblown Glass Bell Jar Lanterns with Wheat Etching
Located in Long Island City, NY
Each of these beautiful 19th-century handblown glass bell jar lanterns is ornamented with an etched wheat motif. Three chains from the glass smoke bell and brass canopy attach to pea...
Brass
Pair of Hand Blown Glass Bell Jar Lanterns with Grape Etching
Located in Long Island City, NY
Each of these beautiful 19th century hand blown glass bell jar lanterns is ornamented with an etched grape-and-vine motif. Three chains from the glass smoke bell and brass canopy att...
Brass
19th Century Victorian Bell Jar
Located in San Francisco, CA
This refined bell jar lantern has a lovely embossed metal glass holder with bird head chain hook details. The glass is hand blown and the finial is intricately detailed with a flower...
Brass
Victorian English Bell Jar
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant English bell jar lantern with refined details on the brass hardware: a ribbed glass holder with bird head chain hooks, and a rope-trimmed finial. The brass has a beautiful...
Brass
Antique Belgian Bell Jar
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique Belgian Bell JarCreated by De Grelle Val St. Lambert in 1890 Belgium, this bell jar has been recently rewired and restored. Excellent condition and interesting hand blown gla...
Brass
Sold
H 23.5 in W 10.5 in D 7 in
English Victorian Taxidermy Bell Jar, Cloche Diorama, Birds, Chipmunk & Turtle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fantastic Victorian Era bell jar diorama showing nine birds, a chipmunk and a turtle in a Habitat of branches, leaves and moss.
Natural Fiber, Blown Glass, Fruitwood
Antique Colorful Bell Jar Lanterns in Green
Located in New York, NY
Three different color bell jar lanterns with brass details. Stunning pigment like cobalt can be dated back as far as 1802, making these ceiling fixtures even more extrordinary. Mea...
Brass
Cut Glass Bell Jar Lantern, England, circa 1930-1939
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A lovely vintage cut glass bell jar lantern with three-bulb candelabra cluster, burnished brass rolled band, chain and canopy, England, 1930-1939. The lantern is in very good conditi...
Cut Glass Criytal Bell Jar Lantern, England, circa 1930-1939
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A lovely vintage cut glass crystal bell jar lantern with central three-bulb candelabra cluster, burnished brass rolled band, chain and canopy, England, 1930-1939. Fine vintage condit...
Brass
19th Century English Clear Bell Jar Pendant Lantern 3 Bulb Cluster
Located in New York, NY
19th century English hand blown bell jar pendant lantern. This glass bell jar has a simple beauty, consisting of clear glass with no etching, and features the original aged patina br...
Brass
English Engraved Glass Bell Jar Lantern with Smoke Cap c. 1880
Located in Katonah, NY
This impressive antique glass bell jar lantern was made in England during the late 19th century, circa 1880.
Glass
Green Glass Bell Jar Pendant Light Signed Val Saint Lambert, Late 1800s
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in New York, NY
Antique hand-blown bell jar made in Belgium by Val Saint Lambert and stamped "Best Crystal Glass". This green pendant light comes complete with the stamped bell jar attached to a new...
Brass
Antique Petite Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A charming English bell jar lantern with attractive form and an unusual decorative, polished etching. This circa 1890 petite pendant features excellent quality hand blown glass and i...
Brass
Antique Cobalt Blue Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A striking cobalt blue hand blown glass bell jar lantern with its original smoke bell and rolled brass band, circa 1890. Originally for candlelight, this antique pendant has been new...
Brass
Antique Sapphire Blue Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
A brilliant sapphire blue antique bell jar lantern. This circa 1860 bell jar pendant features its original embossed brass band with a leaf motif, strands of chain, and glass smoke be...
Brass
Antique Cranberry Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
An exquisite cranberry glass bell jar lantern with its original embossed brass band, smoke bell/lid, and chains. This circa 1870 English lantern is generously sized, possesses lovely...
Brass
Antique Clear Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
An antique bell jar lantern from England with excellent quality hand blown glass and attractive form. This circa 1870 lantern also has its original brass band with an embossed floral...
Brass
Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns
Located in Heath, MA
More aptly described as "sister" lanterns, these circa 1880 English bell jar pendants feature excellent quality glass with desirable bubbles and swirls, as well as original embossed ...
Brass
English Clear Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
Exceptional bell jar hall lantern from England, circa 1860, with its original brass details including embossed band with a vine motif and brass candleholder finial. The quality of th...
Brass
Antique Cranberry Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
An exceptional cranberry-colored hand blown glass bell jar lantern from England. Adorned with its original brass band and finial base, this pendant light casts a warm, beautiful ligh...
Brass
Pair of Antique Bell Jar Lanterns
Located in Heath, MA
A beautiful pair of hand blown glass bell jar lanterns with original brass bands and chains. These circa 1870 larger-sized English pendants are finished with a distinctive floral des...
Brass
Antique Green Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Heath, MA
This circa 1860 English, hand blown glass bell jar lantern features a beautiful green hue and is embellished with a rare and original brass finial/candleholder base. The lantern's br...
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.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Enriching rooms with layers of visual interest is key to the New York– and Toronto-based decorator’s signature style.