Saturday, May 8, 2010

Large Old World Lantern

In love with this metal and white-washed wooden lantern. It's very large as well-displays in these can be incredible. Even at Christmas we fill them with pine cones and ornaments-they can turn out spectacular on a buffet or the centerpiece of a dining table. This definitely has that old antique charm to it! A great price at $68.00.
The simplest technology used is the candle lantern which can be lit with fire. Candles give only a weak light, and must be protected from wind to prevent flickering or complete extinguishment. Thus the lantern was invented. A typical candle lantern is a metal box or cylinder with glass side panels and an opening or ventilated cover on the top.
Decorative lanterns exist in a wide range of designs. Some hang from buildings, while others are placed on or just above the ground. Paper lanterns occur in societies around the world. Modern varieties often place an electric light in a decorative glass case.
The ancient Chinese sometimes captured fireflies in transparent or semi-transparent containers and used them as (short-term) lanterns. Raise the Red Lantern, a Chinese film, prominently features lanterns as a motif.
Use of fireflies in transparent containers was also a widespread practice in ancient India. But since these were short term solutions, the use of fire torches was more prevalent.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church lanterns are used in religious processions and liturgical entrances, usually coming before the processional cross.
Lanterns are also used to transport the Holy Fire from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Great Saturday during Holy Week.