First we have ever seen

A rare gem among lighting lanterns, this intriguing designed pumpin lantern features a crafty toothed smiling floppy hat witch whose hands are poised- yes to scare you- not! This hard to find old vintage heavy hand cast lantern boasts the same design – two sides- and posseses a convenient bottom round twist off candle access to comfortably insert your favorite LED or candle lighting device inside. It boasts an aged dark smooth patina- just the way we like to find these old ones.

From atop it’s leafy designed pumpkin character down to its artistic generously pierced sides, this unique lantern will burst brilliant night light in all directions!

An early example, its bold sculptural design – identical on both sides- is impressive craftsmanship that makes this extraordinary lighting art for your special indoor or outdoor garden space. Dont get spooked, because this impressive “witches hat” garden lantern will bring smiles and will be warmly welcomed.

In a convenient portable size and displaying exceptional decoration, it may be suspended from the loop seen at the top or installed on sturdy flat base on any surface. Heavy hand caste craftsmanship will hold up well in challenging weather conditions.

Original Paint with a dark old natural satin patina from appropriate age.

Dimensions: 9 inches tall to top of loop and 7.5 inches wide

Good, albeit scary garden candidate.

Provenance: Old American- Japanese garden.

Many of our customers place LED or candles or tea lights inside the main section making a brilliant evening light display.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

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, 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.