Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill
Late 18th-Century English Toleware Shepherd’s Lantern | Punched Tin Candleholder
Late 18th-Century English Toleware Shepherd’s Lantern | Punched Tin Candleholder
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A late 18th-century English toleware shepherd’s candle lantern, crafted from tin and decorated throughout with punched and cut-out motifs. The cylindrical body features a vented flue, a hanging hoop, and a single hinged door that opens to reveal an interior candleholder. The oxidised surface shows age-appropriate wear, enhancing its rustic charm and authenticity.
This lantern would have been used by shepherds and rural workers for portable illumination, its pierced decoration allowing light to diffuse while protecting the flame from wind. A fine example of vernacular lighting, it reflects both the utilitarian needs and decorative instincts of Georgian-era craftsmanship.
Provenance: English, c.1780
Material: Tin (toleware) with oxidised finish
Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age; structurally sound.
Size - Height - 29 cm (11 3/8")
Historical Context
Toleware, derived from the French tôle peinte (painted sheet metal)—was widely produced in 18th-century England, particularly in Pontypool and Usk, South Wales, where the innovation of tinplate flourished. Lanterns like this were essential for shepherds and rural workers, offering wind-resistant illumination in the field. The punched decoration served both aesthetic and functional purposes, allowing light to escape while ventilating the flame. These lanterns are now prized for their folk-art charm and utilitarian elegance, often found in country homes and collectors’ displays
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