It was a heart stopping moment encountering this lantern at an obscure auction in Paris. Utilitarian, attractive and historical to boot... Somehow French tool and instrument makers excelled in adding a little molding here, a nick or twist there. To result in a product of unsurpassed elegance and appeal. Our lantern once lighted dinner and strategy during expeditions of the Colonial Army, an army still in existence today... quartered in Tahiti, Saigon, Casablanca, Martinique.... The army inventory was melted down to make bullet casings during WWII. The reason for these being rare, extremely rare. Our exact replica is fitted with a high quality original oil-burner. Hand blown glass, aged bronze finish, hand rubbed to give it the exact look and feel of its original. Practical, decorative... totally unique.