Chinese Courtyard Lantern, C. 1900

Lanterns in China have a history that goes back over 1,800 years to the Han Dynasty: during the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15 day of the first lunar month) people hang lanterns to symbolize finding a fresh start. An elegant and austere rosewood lantern like this would have been hung in an aristocratic Northern China courtyard home. Each of the hand crafted panels are detachable and fit together in the frame like a puzzle. The frame folds flat when the panels are removed. Lantern can be hardwired by a certified electrician and professionally installed.