c.1880 French Railroad Lantern
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique French railroad lantern with copper accents and blue and red glass panels.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel, Copper
French Railroad Lantern
Recent Sales
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. It bears its original Larroche Lampiste brass label from the company t...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Lanterns
Materials
Copper, Iron, Brass
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
Antique Late 19th Century French Lanterns
Materials
Copper
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 Lanterns
Materials
Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century French Brass and Copper SNCF Railroad Switchman's Lantern
Sold
H 13.25 in W 5.5 in D 8 in
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 Lanterns
Materials
Brass, Copper
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
Antique Early 1900s French Lanterns
Materials
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century French Copper, Iron, and Brass Railroad Lantern with Glass
Sold
H 23 in W 11.25 in D 10.5 in
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
Vintage 1910s French Lanterns
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
Pair of Large Early 20th Century French Copper and Brass Railroad Lanterns
Sold
H 23.5 in W 9.75 in D 9.5 in
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 Lanterns
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
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
Antique 19th Century French Lanterns
Materials
Iron, Tôle
Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris 'Pair'
Sold
H 13.5 in W 3.25 in D 3.5 in
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 Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Original circa 1900 "PLM" Brass Railroad Lantern Sconces by Poyard Paris, Pair
Sold
H 13.5 in W 3.25 in D 3.5 in
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 Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Railroad Lantern
Located in Carmel, CA
Handsome railroad lantern with tooled brass and copper detail. The piece has three round windows with brass fittings. The tall copper chimney has a handle for carrying. The chimney...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Lanterns
Materials
Brass, Copper, Steel
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 Lanterns
Materials
Metal
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 Lanterns
Materials
Iron
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 hatchCategoryEarly 20th Century French Lanterns
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French Railroad Light
Located in Scarsdale, NY
Hang it up or just sit it on a table this beautiful brass railroad lamp is signed "Paris 1972, L.Dervaux". The brass is perfect. Elegant and unusual. The picture is true to the li...
Category
20th Century Lanterns
Materials
Brass
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
Antique 19th Century French Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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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.
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