Lanterns
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Lanterns
Chrome
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Lanterns
Alabaster, Bronze
1940s Moroccan Vintage Lanterns
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Lanterns
Metal
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Lanterns
Iron
1950s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Lanterns
Metal
1950s Turkish Vintage Lanterns
Metal
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Lanterns
Copper
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Lanterns
Alabaster, Bronze
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Lanterns
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Minimalist Lanterns
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Brass
Late 20th Century Turkish Islamic Lanterns
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Lanterns
Blown Glass
1940s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Lanterns
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Crystal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Brass, Chrome
19th Century French Rococo Antique Lanterns
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Lanterns
Wrought Iron, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Lanterns
Crystal
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Wrought Iron, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
2010s American Modern Lanterns
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Aluminum, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Ceramic
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Lanterns
Brass
1950s Turkish Vintage Lanterns
Bronze
1940s Italian Vintage Lanterns
Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Metal, Brass
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lanterns
Crystal, Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lanterns
Blown Glass
1950s Vintage Lanterns
Brass
1950s English Vintage Lanterns
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Lanterns
Copper
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lanterns
Glass
19th Century Antique Lanterns
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Lanterns
Bronze, Brass
Early 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Antique Lanterns
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Lanterns
Brass
1910s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Lanterns
Blown Glass
1920s Arts and Crafts Vintage Lanterns
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Lanterns
Bronze
1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Lanterns
Glass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Lanterns
Crystal, Ormolu
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Lanterns
Metal, Chrome
2010s Italian Organic Modern Lanterns
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Lanterns
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Lanterns
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Lanterns
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century American Lanterns
Copper
Mid-20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Lanterns
Iron
20th Century English Country Lanterns
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
Chrome
1920s Mexican French Provincial Vintage Lanterns
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Lanterns
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Lanterns
Murano Glass
Vintage, New and Antique Lanterns
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.