Authentic, American-manufactured early 20th-century galvanized metal marine anchor lantern, made by Perkins of New York. Originally a kerosene-burning lantern, this old seafaring marine fixture now makes a wonderful lamp for your nautical interior, with strong boating appeal. We've added a wooden base with a light that the lantern sits comfortably on top of, and it features an ON/OFF switch on the cord. The lantern's brass top cap sits above "Christmas tree" formed smoke chimney vents. The lamp body retains a wonderful, old, weather-aged black-painted surface. The 360-degree glass Fresnel lens survives in good condition and is stamped "PERKO" on the light-purple-hued glass lens. The Fresnel lens is surrounded by a series of protection guards and a pair of hoisting rings, located at the bottom of the fixture. The lantern is open at the bottom and does not retain the original twist-type burner.
DIAMETER: 8 1/2 inches tall, excluding the ring top handle 4 1/2 inch bottom diameter. The wooden base measures 5 inches in diameter.
FYI: Glass Fresnel lenses that appear light violet or purple were manufactured between 1885 and 1920.
Here's why:
Natural sand contains traces of iron oxide, which gives untreated glass a greenish tint. To neutralize this tint and create "water-clear" glass, manufacturers added manganese dioxide. When glass containing manganese dioxide is exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun over several decades, a chemical electron exchange occurs between the manganese and iron ions. This photochemical reaction slowly turns the clear glass into shades of light violet, lavender, or deep amethyst.
