Gilt French Lantern

Hexagonal Lantern

French Versailles

Early 20th Century Bronze Lanterns

Versailles Lantern

Beveled Glass Lantern

Antique Hanging Lantern

French Rococo Lighting

Gilt Bronze Crystal

Gilt French Lantern For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the gilt French lantern you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each gilt French lantern for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, bronze and glass. Find 319 options for an antique or vintage gilt French lantern now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a gilt French lantern — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Each gilt French lantern bearing Louis XVI, Louis XV or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one gilt French lantern that is appealing in its simplicity, but Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Maison Baguès and Philippe-Joseph Brocard produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Gilt French Lantern?

A gilt French lantern can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,800, while the lowest priced sells for $429 and the highest can go for as much as $115,000.

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.