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)

Condition: Excellent antique condition. The brass retains a warm, untouched historic patina with light surface scuffs, gentle oxidation, and minor pin-sized dings consistent with age and maritime use. The blown glass onion globe is intact and remarkably clean with no cracks, structural breaks, or major flaws. All mechanical components—including the drop-out font, bayonet catch, hinged smoke top, and burner thumb wheel—operate smoothly as intended.

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)

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