Davey Lighting
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Chandeliers and P...
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Vintage 1920s European Lanterns
Brass
Vintage 1920s English Lanterns
Brass
Vintage 1920s European Lanterns
Copper
Vintage 1930s North American Lanterns
Brass
Vintage 1950s Lanterns
Vintage 1950s English Lanterns
Brass
Vintage 1930s European Lanterns
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s English Lanterns
Copper, Brass
Vintage 1950s English Lanterns
Brass
20th Century Lanterns
Antique Late 19th Century Lanterns
2010s English Art Deco Table Lamps
Aluminum, Steel
Antique Late 19th Century English Lanterns
Brass
Vintage 1920s North American Lanterns
Brass
Vintage 1940s European Lanterns
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Lanterns
Metal, Brass
Antique 1880s Great Britain (UK) Lanterns
Antique 19th Century English Lanterns
Copper
Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Lanterns
Brass
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Brass
2010s American Modern Stools
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Japanese Industrial Chandeliers and Pendants
Copper, Iron
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Flush Mount
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
2010s Danish Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Brass, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Organic Modern Chandeliers and ...
Brass, Copper
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Early 20th Century American Victorian Chandeliers and Pendants
Milk Glass
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Davey Lighting For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Davey Lighting?
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.
Read More
This 1950s Paavo Tynell Chandelier Got a Glow-Up
Commissioned for the lakeside villa of a Finnish industrialist, it illuminated visits with dignitaries.
These Designer Light Fixtures Are Total Scene Stealers
Across New York, there’s no shortage of statement lighting on view.
My Father Was Obsessed with This French Art Deco Tiger Lamp
The 1920s design is a thrilling combination of saturated colors, ancient motifs and modern aesthetics.
Hans Bergström’s Monumental Chandeliers Are Made for Grand Spaces
Designed by a giant of Swedish lighting, the large-scale fixtures bring major drama.
This Paavo Tynell Chandelier Is a Radiant Bouquet
The alluring pendant light exemplifies the designer’s winsome mid-career work.
Ettore Sottsass Captures a Shooting Star in This Rare 1970s Floor Lamp
Before founding the Memphis Group, Sottsass bent the rules of lighting design with the wonderfully wavy Cometa.
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.