Antique Brass Onion Globe Ship Marine Lantern Sherwoods Burner C. 1870s Matthew J King Provenanceer

Details

Description

This fine late 19th-century all-brass maritime globe guard lantern represents standard British nautical design. The lantern features a clear hand-blown … Read more This fine late 19th-century all-brass maritime globe guard lantern represents standard British nautical design. The lantern features a clear hand-blown bulbous "onion" glass globe enclosed within a protective heavy brass three-guard wire cage frame, a scalloped top smoke chimney hood, hand-punched collar ventilation louvers, and a hinged top cap fitted with a heavy fixed loop and free-swinging wire bail handle.

The bottom features a drop-out removable base reservoir/font secured by a side latch mechanism. The internal brass burner assembly retains its original thumb wheel, distinctly die-stamped "SHERWOODS" around the perimeter, identifying manufacture by the esteemed Sherwoods firm of Birmingham, UK. Complete with original wick tube and brass threaded font collar.

Item Specifics
Item Name: Antique British Brass Marine Onion Globe Guard Ship Lantern

Burner Maker: Sherwoods (Birmingham, England)

Era / Age: Victorian / Late 19th Century (Circa 1870s–1880s)

Origin: United Kingdom

Materials: Solid Brass, Hand-Blown Clear Glass, Copper Rivets

Dimensions: 13" High (to top of fixed chimney hood vent, excluding raised bail handle); 4.75" Base Diameter

Provenance: From the Collection of Matthew J. King (Retains original bottom auction collection label)

Authenticity Assessment: This lantern exhibits authentic late 19th-century construction characteristics. The assembly features hand-peened copper rivets securing the guard wire joins and handle attachments, alongside hand-punched ventilation louvers along the upper collar and base trim rather than modern machine-stamped openings. Crucially, the burner thumb wheel displays a deep, authentic period die-stamp reading "SHERWOODS", referring to Sherwoods Ltd. (originally Isaac Sherwood & Son), a renowned Birmingham brassware and oil burner manufacturer operating from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century. Furthermore, the drop-out reservoir font with flat spring retainer and hand-blown clear glass globe conform precisely to period UK maritime lamp specifications. Sourced from the Matthew J. King collection, the piece carries verified collector provenance.

Reference
Book Title: Oil Lamps: The Kerosene Era in North America
Author: Catherine M. V. Thuro
Page Number: Page 142 (within the section on European makers, international trade, and standard hand-held onion globe lanterns)

Historical & Design Significance: A classic artifact of 19th-century British maritime history, this all-brass onion globe lantern pairs industrial utility with striking geometric curves. Outfitted with an authentic burner by Sherwoods of Birmingham, the lantern features a bulbous hand-blown glass globe protected by a minimalist wire cage and fluted smoke hood. Provenance traced to the private collection of Matthew J. King adds documented prestige.

Curator's Note:
With its warm, unpolished brass patina, fluted ventilation crown, and sculptural onion-shaped glass profile, this authentic 1870s ship lantern offers timeless texture for refined interiors. An ideal accent for curated mantelpieces, coastal library shelving, or rustic console tables, it serves as both a historical conversation piece and an impressive design element. See less