Hard to find early complete crafted originals from Japan

Japanese handsome dark and light patina pair (2) quality large old “Koi” fish motif tea lanterns are authentic old works of art.

In a convenient portable size, they may be suspended from loops or installed on any surface.

They emit pleasant night light through their purposefully perforated design- see photo.

Of dramatic design, their iconic fins, tail, and facial features mark excellent craftsmanship. Remnant gently used patina indicates prior use perhaps once submerged in a koi pond- good things appropriate to their good age. The round twist off candle access caps on bottom, – often missing- allow comfortable access for inserting your LED or candles.

Perfect choice for your indoor display area, koi pond, or favorite outdoor garden space.

Dimension: Large 8 inches tall to top of loop handle and 12 inches wide.

Good garden candidates.

Provenance: Old American- Japanese garden.

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

Our gallery based in Newport, Rhode Island USA has been dealing in authentic Pre-Columbian, Japanese and fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels across America as well as Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.

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, to¯ro¯ 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.