A Rare 19th Century French Brass Vestibule Lantern with Original Wavy Glass
£550.00
Description
This exquisite 19th-century French pendant is a masterclass in understated elegance. Retaining its original, brass frame, the lantern showcases a refined cylindrical form that was the height of fashion during the French Third Republic.
Mainland UK Delivery Included
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Delivery Leadtime
International delivery is estimated at 5-7 working days.
Full details will be confirmed during the ordering process.
A Rare 19th Century French Brass Vestibule Lantern with Original Wavy Glass
This exquisite 19th-century French pendant is a masterclass in understated elegance. Retaining its original, brass frame, the lantern showcases a refined cylindrical form that was the height of fashion during the French Third Republic.
The defining feature of this piece is the original handmade glass. This is not the uniform, sterile glass of the modern era, but a living material characterised by beautiful "wavy" striations and subtle bubbles (seeds) trapped within the pane. These characteristics are the fingerprint of 19th-century glassblowing; they refract the light with a soft, watery texture that brings a sense of historical soul.
In the 1800s, French glassmakers utilised the cylinder method—blowing a large glass tube, cutting it, and flattening it while hot. This process naturally created the horizontal "waves" seen here. In an era where lighting was transitioning from oil and gas to early electricity, these lanterns were designed to maximise the warm flicker of the flame, a quality that is perfectly captured by the imperfections in this specific glass.
Dealers Comments:
 "What immediately strikes me about this lantern is the purity of its condition. It is increasingly difficult to source 19th-century pieces where the glass hasn't been replaced with modern equivalents. The 'wavy lines' aren't just a design feature; they are a guarantee of age. To the discerning eye, the distortion of light through this glass creates an ambiance that a reproduction simply cannot mimic. It is a superb find for a collector who values authenticity over perfection.
Condition Report
The lantern has been fully rewired and PAT-tested using high-quality British-made components, and is ready for immediate installation.
The glass is entirely original, retaining excellent clarity and the expected small manufacturing specks and flaws characteristic
Measurement
Height:Â Â Â Â Â Â 34 cm /Â Â 13.4 inch
Width:Â Â Â Â Â Â 14 cm /Â Â 5.5 inch
Depth:Â Â Â Â Â Â 14 cm /Â Â 5.5 inch
Weight:Â Â Â Â Â 1.1 k.g. /Â Â 2.4 lbs
Max Drop:Â Â 51 cm
Min Drop:Â Â 34 cm
Cleaning, Polishing & Restoration
All our collections have been through our workshop and where possible, we always try to maintain the original finish preserving the patina and colour, some items are sympathetically restored and this is done by our own skilled craftsmen using only traditional methods
