Unusual find- the first pair we have seen

Unique old pineapple “Welcoming” design.

Japan, this handsome quality pair (2) of old “Pineapple” motif tea garden lanterns is the first pair we have ever seen.
This simple exotic fruit is said to have been discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and has enchanted people for centuries- it is synonymous with a welcoming symbol of hospitality.

In a convenient portable size and displaying original attractive dark poly chrome paint, these lanterns may be suspended from the old loop or installed on any surface. Heavy hand cast, these beautiful lanterns are suitable for outdoor installation.

Dimensions: Approximately 10 inches tall to top of loop and 6 inches wide

Good garden candidates- these are ideal accent sizes for a small outdoor or indoor Zen or Tea garden.

Provenance: Old American- Japanese garden.

Many of our customers place oil candles or tea lights inside the main section making a romantic and enjoyable decorative accent for entertaining friends and family. It’s a perfect choice for your indoor or outdoor garden space.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.

History of pineapple:
This simple exotic fruit said to have been discovered by Christopher Columbus has enchanted people for centuries and is synonymous with a welcoming symbol of hospitality.
It is said that Christopher Columbus first ‘discovered’ pineapples in 1493 and before that indigenous peoples cultivated and transplanted the fruit (anana) throughout Central America where they were reportedly hanging them at entrances of their Dwellings to welcome strangers.

History of Japanese lanterns:

In Japan a to¯ro¯ (lantern) is a traditional lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Like many other elements of Japanese traditional architecture, it originated in China. In Japan, toro were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths and lighted lanterns were then considered an offering. In its complete, original form the lantern represents five elements of Buddhist cosmology: Bottom touching the ground, represents chi, the earth, the next section represents sui, or water, ka or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern’s light or flame, while fu¯ (air) and ku¯ (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. These last two sections express the idea that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.