Antique Brass Glass Onion Whale Oil Lantern Pierced Grape Star Twin Burner

Details

Description

This exceptional 19th-century American onion lantern features a striking globular blown-glass body framed by intricately relief-molded and star-pierced brass collars … Read more This exceptional 19th-century American onion lantern features a striking globular blown-glass body framed by intricately relief-molded and star-pierced brass collars displaying classical grapevine motifs. With its rich age-patina, contrast between hand-pierced metalwork and hand-blown glass, and fully preserved internal glass font, this rare survivor makes a commanding statement in high-end antique collections or historic interiors.

Curator's Note
A rare and decorative survival of mid-19th-century American lighting craft, this onion-form lantern stands out for its elaborate star-pierced brass gallery and deeply embossed grapevine borders. Designed to house a specialized double-tube whale oil burner within its original blown glass reservoir font, the piece seamlessly merges functional maritime engineering with Victorian ornamental flair. Its sculptural silhouette and rich original patina bring authentic texture and historic character to modern mantelpieces, entry tables, or atmospheric display shelves.

Stylistic Placement: Nautical Elegance, Historic Americana, Rustic Luxe, Traditional Interior Design

Technical Specifications & Physical Description
Form & Body Structure: Blown-glass onion-form body resting on a flared, engine-turned brass collar base and topped with a stepped dome chimney hood.

Ornamentation & Piercing: Top and bottom brass bands feature heavy embossed grapevine pattern borders with hand-punched star-shaped ventilation cutouts.

Hardware & Fittings: Solid brass swing handle secured by riveted metal bracket ears; step-latched removable base assembly with turn-lock notch fitting.

Burner Assembly: Original glass oil reservoir font housed in base collar, featuring a removable twin-tube brass whale oil burner with cotton wicks intact.

Dimensions: Approx. 11 inches total height (top of raised handle); 8.5 inches lantern body height; maximum body diameter approx. 6.5 inches.

Weight: 2 lbs 13.1 oz (1.28 kg).

Physical Description
Attributed to mid-19th Century American (New England Region) manufacture. Hand-blown clear glass globe attached to press-molded brass collars with micro-crimped seams and soldered structural tabs. The base cap features original engine-turned concentric ring detailing. The brass surfaces display an unpolished, authentic historic patina with deep bronze tones, localized verdigris accumulation around seams, and original gilding/lacquer in protected relief recesses. See less