American Colonial Punched Tin Lantern, circa 1770 – 1795 (SOLD)

This is an18th century style lantern that doesn’t show up very often, especially with the square glass. It is punched tin over sheet iron with a bay window and opens with the hinged door. The conical top w/ looped handle is attached w/ two twisted wires on a disk washer under the round hanging ring.

Overall, It stands 13” high with a 4 1/2” diameter base and a 2 ¾” x 4” window. It has point punch work decorations, with the back having a very nicely done star. There are similar examples in the Guilford Revolutionary War Museum, Colonial Williamsburg Museum, and Illustrated Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, by Neumann and Kravic (see pictures).

Overall, this lantern is in very nice condition and is typical of what would be used in military installations during the Revolutionary War. A candle was added inside for display purposes.

With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding this year, interest in the Revolutionary War and its relics are significantly increasing. This renewed enthusiasm is driving the demand for virtually all Revolutionary War artifacts, further contributing to their scarcity and rising prices.