Antique Bell Lantern
18th Century French Rococo Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 20th Century Antique Bell Lantern
Blown Glass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Bell Lantern
Blown Glass
19th Century French Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
1920s English Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century British British Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
1810s English Regency Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze, Wire
19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 1800s American American Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
1850s Austrian Empire Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
1910s Dutch Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
Early 20th Century Belgian Dutch Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Bell Lantern
Blown Glass
19th Century American Victorian Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Bell Lantern
Steel, Ormolu
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
1860s Belle Époque Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal
19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century British Georgian Antique Bell Lantern
Iron
1920s French Empire Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal, Bronze
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century French Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century European Antique Bell Lantern
Early 20th Century French Antique Bell Lantern
Iron
Early 20th Century English Georgian Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
1830s English Antique Bell Lantern
Late 19th Century Belgian Anglo-Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Early 20th Century British British Colonial Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Late 19th Century European Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Early 20th Century English Victorian Antique Bell Lantern
Steel, Iron
19th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century British Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
19th Century British Anglo-Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Antique Bell Lantern
Beads
Early 1900s English Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
1850s American American Empire Antique Bell Lantern
Brass, Wire
19th Century American American Classical Antique Bell Lantern
19th Century French Empire Antique Bell Lantern
Mid-19th Century American Federal Antique Bell Lantern
19th Century Antique Bell Lantern
1920s English George I Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 20th Century Belgian Antique Bell Lantern
1890s French Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
Metal
19th Century Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Copper
19th Century Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century European Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
1840s English Regency Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
19th Century Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Copper
19th Century French Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 20th Century American Antique Bell Lantern
Wrought Iron
19th Century European Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century European Antique Bell Lantern
Blown Glass
1880s North American American Empire Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 1800s English George III Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
Early 1800s English George III Antique Bell Lantern
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Bell Lantern
19th Century English Regency Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Bell Lantern
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Antique Bell Lantern
Blown Glass
19th Century Indian Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
Copper, Brass
19th Century Antique Bell Lantern
Late 19th Century French Antique Bell Lantern
Iron, Brass
Early 20th Century English Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
19th Century American Victorian Antique Bell Lantern
Glass
People Also Browsed
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Bell Lantern
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Antique Bell Lantern
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Antique Bell Lantern
Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Antique Bell Lantern
Marble
19th Century Chinese Antique Bell Lantern
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Antique Bell Lantern
Blown Glass
20th Century American Georgian Antique Bell Lantern
Mahogany, Blown Glass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Bell Lantern
Elm
1930s Swedish Antique Bell Lantern
Brass
1990s American Impressionist Antique Bell Lantern
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Bell Lantern
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Antique Bell Lantern
Rock Crystal, Metal
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Bell Lantern
Marble
Antique Bell Lantern For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Bell Lantern?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024To identify antique railroad lanterns, first see if you can locate a maker's mark on the bottom. Using trusted online resources, you can determine who produced your lantern based on these markings, and then you can research the company to find out when it was in business and making lanterns similar to yours. To be considered an antique, a railroad lantern must be at least 100 years old. If you can't find a maker's marking, it's generally necessary to use the characteristics of a lantern to date it. Because this can be difficult without experience and training, you may wish to seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer when identifying unmarked railroad lanterns. Explore a selection of lanterns on 1stDibs.
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