First pair we’ve seen

Brilliant Pair (2) Art Deco 1930s-1940s “Lucky Horse Shoe ” Lanterns

Japanese handsome hand wrought Art Deco period “Lucky Horse Shoe” motif lanterns – the complete ensemble could be suspended from their top heavy iron rings or placed on their sturdy display bases with four feet.

These lanterns were hand wrought by specialist Japanese craftsmen abiding by the finest standards – a brilliant and unique sculptural accomplishment – the first near pair of this motif we’ve seen. Roofs depict eight (8) horse shoes- and decorative and pierced side panels feature prize horses. Their working hinged doors allow convenient access for placing your preferred candle or led or electrical lighting device. Pierced side panels release brilliant night light from interior lighting device. The original period surface finish and patina signifies older appropriate age- this presents a unique charm- just the way we liike to find them.

Dimensions: 11.5 inches high from bottom of lantern to top of iron loop and 6 inches wide, heavy craftsmanship.

Good garden candidate, this is a stunnning substantial lantern design suited to an outdoor garden or special indoor space.

Provenance: Old Japanese American garden collection.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.

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.
Yukimi-do¯ro¯ or legged lanterns have as a base not a post but curved legs and a wide umbrella with a finial. Relatively low, they are used exclusively in gardens and the traditional placement is near water. The umbrella can be round or have from three to eight sides, while the fire box is usually hexagonal. Yu-loosley translated means water reflection. It was probably developed during the Momoyama period, but the oldest extant examples, found at the Katsura Villa in Kyoto, go back only to the early Edo period (17th century).