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Antique Railroad Lanterns

Vintage Railroad Lantern
Vintage Railroad Lantern

Vintage Railroad Lantern

$1,200

H 24 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in

Vintage Railroad Lantern

Located in Water Mill, NY

Vintage railroad lantern made into lamp.

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Enamel, Iron

Railroad Lantern
Railroad Lantern

Railroad Lantern

$2,450

H 24 in W 9 in D 9 in

Railroad Lantern

Located in Greenwich, CT

A rustic black painted tin hanging lantern having a body of four rectangular glazed sides with protective crossed wire guards and a top cylindrical chimney with a hanging loop. Wire...

Category

Early 20th Century English Rustic Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Tin

Pair of American Polished Steel and Fresnel Lense Railroad Lanterns, C. 1880
Pair of American Polished Steel and Fresnel Lense Railroad Lanterns, C. 1880

Pair of American Polished Steel and Fresnel Lense Railroad Lanterns, C. 1880

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of American polished steel railroad Signal lanterns with flanking hinged doors, scrolled carrying handles, vented tops, rear mounting brackets, and the original Fresnel circular...

Category

1880s American American Empire Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Steel

Pair of American Polished Steel and Fresnel Lenses Railroad Lanterns, C. 1880
Pair of American Polished Steel and Fresnel Lenses Railroad Lanterns, C. 1880

Pair of American Polished Steel and Fresnel Lenses Railroad Lanterns, C. 1880

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of American polished steel railroad Signal lanterns with flanking hinged doors, scrolled carrying handles, vented tops, rear mounting brackets, and the original Fresnel circular...

Category

1890s American American Empire Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Steel

Antique Adlake Railroad Lamp or Lantern Chicago
Antique Adlake Railroad Lamp or Lantern Chicago

Antique Adlake Railroad Lamp or Lantern Chicago

By Chicago Northwestern Railroad

Located in Bensalem, PA

Please look up pictures for overall detail and measurements. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Antique Japanese Copper Bullseye Railway Boat Lantern Police Signal Oil Lamp 13"
Antique Japanese Copper Bullseye Railway Boat Lantern Police Signal Oil Lamp 13"

Antique Japanese Copper Bullseye Railway Boat Lantern Police Signal Oil Lamp 13"

By Nippon Sento Company Ltd

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique copper police/ railroad / boat signal lantern / hand lamp. Features cylindrical body style, fluted cone shaped chimney top, and rear handles of a typical dark lantern but no ...

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Copper

Recent Sales

Antique 19th Century Copper and Tin Railroad Lantern
Antique 19th Century Copper and Tin Railroad Lantern

Antique 19th Century Copper and Tin Railroad Lantern

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Antique, mid-19th century, copper and tin, railroad lantern was originally oil and has been converted to electric accepting up to a 30 watt bulb.

Category

Mid-19th Century American Industrial Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper, Steel

Late 19th Century French Copper Railroad Lantern
Late 19th Century French Copper Railroad Lantern

Late 19th Century French Copper Railroad Lantern

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Originally used for signaling, this French copper railroad lantern from the late nineteenth century features glass on two sides one of which is tinted orange.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Copper

19th Century Iron and Copper French Railroad Lantern
19th Century Iron and Copper French Railroad Lantern

19th Century Iron and Copper French Railroad Lantern

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late 19th century iron and copper railroad lantern has glass on three sides and stands on four brass feet.

Category

19th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Copper, Iron, Brass

c.1880 French Railroad Lantern
c.1880 French Railroad Lantern

c.1880 French Railroad Lantern

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H 14 in W 5 in D 5 in

c.1880 French Railroad Lantern

Located in Highwood, IL

Antique French railroad lantern with copper accents and blue and red glass panels.

Category

19th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Steel, Copper

Early 20th Century French Brass and Iron Railroad Lantern for Medical Service
Early 20th Century French Brass and Iron Railroad Lantern for Medical Service

Early 20th Century French Brass and Iron Railroad Lantern for Medical Service

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This French brass and iron railroad lantern from the turn of the 20th century features a brass plaque marked with its city of origin, Rennes, in the region of Brittany.

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Iron

Early 20th Century French Copper, Iron, and Brass Railroad Lantern with Glass
Early 20th Century French Copper, Iron, and Brass Railroad Lantern with Glass

Early 20th Century French Copper, Iron, and Brass Railroad Lantern with Glass

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This early 20th century iron and copper railroad lantern has glass on three sides and stands on four brass feet.

Category

1910s French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron

Pair of Large Early 20th Century French Copper and Brass Railroad Lanterns
Pair of Large Early 20th Century French Copper and Brass Railroad Lanterns

Pair of Large Early 20th Century French Copper and Brass Railroad Lanterns

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Used on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railway, this pair of early twentieth century French copper and iron railroad lanterns feature their original brass oil lamps and inserts with glass ...

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron

Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper SNCF Railroad Switchman's Lantern
Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper SNCF Railroad Switchman's Lantern

Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper SNCF Railroad Switchman's Lantern

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This French brass and copper railroad lantern from the early twentieth century is marked on the side SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer), the national railroad company of Fra...

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper

Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper Railroad Signal Lantern
Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper Railroad Signal Lantern

Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper Railroad Signal Lantern

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Originally used for signaling, this French brass and copper railroad lantern from the early twentieth century features glass on two sides one of which is tinted red.

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vintage Elgin Kerosene Lantern, Early 20th Century
Vintage Elgin Kerosene Lantern, Early 20th Century

Vintage Elgin Kerosene Lantern, Early 20th Century

By Elgin American Mfg Co.

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a vintage Elgin railroad kerosene lantern, with a clear glass globe and wire caging.

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Pair of 19th c. French Railroad Lanterns
Pair of 19th c. French Railroad Lanterns

Pair of 19th c. French Railroad Lanterns

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H 23 in W 11.5 in D 10.25 in

Pair of 19th c. French Railroad Lanterns

Located in Chireno, TX

Pair of fine 19th century chemin de fer lanterns with original maker's label denoting the stations they served.

Category

19th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Iron, Tôle

Antique Dietz Acme Large Inspector Lamp Two Railroad Lanterns New York 1900s
Antique Dietz Acme Large Inspector Lamp Two Railroad Lanterns New York 1900s

Antique Dietz Acme Large Inspector Lamp Two Railroad Lanterns New York 1900s

By Dietz, Brother & Co.

Located in Chula Vista, CA

Train lantern lamps. Pair of Antique Dietz acme large inspector lamps railroad train lanterns New York early 1900s Designed to throw off a lot of light.

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris 'Pair'
Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris 'Pair'

Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris 'Pair'

Located in San Francisco, CA

A pair of French, Belle Époque, richly patinated, brass train car lantern sconces, with a clear glass chimney. Designed as an oil lamp and converted to electric, they are recently re...

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris, Pair
Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris, Pair

Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris, Pair

Located in San Francisco, CA

A pair of French, Belle Epoque, richly patinated, brass train car lantern sconces, with a clear glass chimney; original chain on bottom cap. Designed as an oil lamp and converted to ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Antique Canadian National Railway Piper Signal Lantern
Antique Canadian National Railway Piper Signal Lantern

Antique Canadian National Railway Piper Signal Lantern

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique railroad lantern was made by the Hiram L. Piper Company of Canada and date to approximately 1920 and was made for the Canadian National Railroad.

Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Art Deco Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Antique Adams and Westlake Adlake Non Sweating Chicago Lantern
Antique Adams and Westlake Adlake Non Sweating Chicago Lantern

Antique Adams and Westlake Adlake Non Sweating Chicago Lantern

Located in Houston, TX

Adlake is best known as manufacturers of an array of transportation accessories, primarily for the railroads. The steel lantern is painted white on the inside and comes complete with...

Category

Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Steel

Unusual Railroad Lantern
Unusual Railroad Lantern

Unusual Railroad Lantern

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H 6 in Dm 4.5 in

Unusual Railroad Lantern

Located in Essex, MA

An unusual black painted metal railroad lantern with 3 convex frosted glass lenses, hanging from an associated heavy gage wrought iron chain.

Category

19th Century American Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

American Railroad Lantern
American Railroad Lantern

American Railroad Lantern

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H 23.5 in D 14 in

American Railroad Lantern

Located in Sheffield, MA

This is a railroad lantern, from The Northwest and it is in working condition. this could be used as a decorative piece indoors or can be used outdoors . it is a stunning piece, with...

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Railroad Lantern
19th Century French Railroad Lantern

19th Century French Railroad Lantern

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H 26 in W 8.5 in D 9.5 in

19th Century French Railroad Lantern

Located in Carmel, CA

Handsome railroad lantern with tooled brass and copper detail.

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper, Steel

Pair of Railroad Lanterns
Pair of Railroad Lanterns

Pair of Railroad Lanterns

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H 35.5 in Dm 9.25 in

Pair of Railroad Lanterns

Located in San Francisco, CA

awesome pair of railroad spotlights
once powered by candle, now electrified
of metal construction, the light enclosure features a cylindrical shape with a round hatch

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

LARGE GRAPHIC SHIP OR RAILROAD LANTERN
LARGE GRAPHIC SHIP OR RAILROAD LANTERN

LARGE GRAPHIC SHIP OR RAILROAD LANTERN

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H 22 in W 26 in D 13.5 in

LARGE GRAPHIC SHIP OR RAILROAD LANTERN

Located in Essex, MA

Large, graphic ship or railroad light in steel with 3 large round, ribbed glass lenses in clear (pale violet from age), red (port) and blue (starboard).
Great form and scale. ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Glass

Pair of French Railroad Lanterns to Port
Pair of French Railroad Lanterns to Port

Pair of French Railroad Lanterns to Port

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H 18 in W 7 in D 6.5 in

Pair of French Railroad Lanterns to Port

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

"The first orders for road lighting appeared in 1746, for carriages and cabs circulating in the city and under the Second Empire, for vehicles traveling at night on highways, county....

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Railroad Station Lanterns
Pair of French Railroad Station Lanterns

Pair of French Railroad Station Lanterns

Sold

H 24 in W 8.5 in D 9.5 in

Pair of French Railroad Station Lanterns

Located in Nashville, TN

Lovely pair of Railroad station lanterns from Paris, circa 1900. Have yet to be rewired.

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Iron

Early 1800s French Railroad Keroscene Lantern
Early 1800s French Railroad Keroscene Lantern

Early 1800s French Railroad Keroscene Lantern

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Used by station masters to signal approaching trains. This is brass lantern was used by the French SNCF line.

Category

19th Century French Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Old Railroad Signal Lamp
Old Railroad Signal Lamp

Old Railroad Signal Lamp

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H 22 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in

Old Railroad Signal Lamp

Located in Wainscott, NY

Early Railroad Signal Lantern converted into a Lamp, Swivels on wood base, 2 Amber and 2 Green Lenses.Painted Black, Dressil Railway Lamp & Signal Company, Arlington, NJ USA

Category

19th Century American Antique Railroad Lanterns

Railroad Station Lantern
Railroad Station Lantern

Railroad Station Lantern

Sold

H 27 in Dm 18 in

Railroad Station Lantern

Located in Hudson, NY

Hanging Fixure in nicely aged surface and polished Brass Electrified and a great size and Scale

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Railroad Lanterns

Materials

Metal, Brass

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Antique Railroad Lanterns For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of antique railroad lanterns available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, glass and brass, all antique railroad lanterns available were constructed with great care. Antique railroad lanterns have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Antique railroad lanterns are generally popular furniture pieces, but Industrial and Victorian styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Antique railroad lanterns have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Adams & Westlake Co. are consistently popular.

How Much are Antique Railroad Lanterns?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $960, while they’re typically $350 on the low end and $6,500 highest priced.

Finding the Right Lanterns for You

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.