From our recent Japanese Acquisitions, the first we’ve seen

Japan, this handsome quality big old sassy black iron “Owl” lantern is a special find and an authentic old work of art. It dates to early to mid-20th century.

Its design is unique to our eyes. Please note the exagerated breast feather detail, its engraved wings, the larger than normal size light perforations on its back and its charming purposeful out-of- proportion head, eyes and ears- a creative by a wonderful former artist.

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

Dimensions: 12 inches tall to top of loop handle and a plump 7 inches wide.

This handsome rendition would make an excellent garden candidate and stellar conversational display for all your friends, family, and community to joyfully appreciate. Its an ideal accent size for your favorite indoor or outdoor space.

Photographed in natural day light.

Provenance: Old American 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.

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.