Lantern
Unknown Artist
ca. 1825
Medium
Tin, glass
Dimensions
H. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Classification
Lantern
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Robert W. de Forest, 1933
Accession Number
34.100.190a, b
Art Historical Context
This charming tin and glass lantern, crafted around 1825 by an unknown American artisan, exemplifies the practical beauty of early 19th-century folk art. Standing just 6 1/2 inches tall, its compact form suggests it was designed for portability—perhaps carried by travelers, hung in homes, or used on tables before widespread electricity. The tin body, lightweight and durable, was a favored material in American workshops for its affordability and ease of shaping, while punched openings allowed light from an oil lamp or candle to flicker through decorative patterns, casting intricate shadows. In...