A scarcely found 19th c. wooden ships lantern in original apple green paint. 
Constructed with a square shaped body from cut and hand dressed pine wood. Corner posts are joined with rudimentary butt joints overlapping in irregular fashion and accomodate faux mortise and tenon joints. Each glass panel being held in its respective place via glazing putty and small iron brads. The door is attached with original leather hinges, face mounted and applied with small nails.
A corrugated tin top is applied over two dome shaped wood panels and nailed in placed with numerous small iron and brass tacks. One panel acts as the ventilation system and is treated with a series of hand drilled holes. A handle atop is soldered and nailed in place. 
Phenomenonal ropework is attached to the body acting as its main hanging mechanism for a listing ship and is attached via small iron nails, drawn wire staples, and leather washers and retains original ropework and cloth bumpers. 
Remarkably, this lantern survives in an almost unheard of state of original condition aside from minor corrosion on its lid being consisten with age and use and retains all original elements remaining intact. Surface qualities are unrivaled with historic oxidation, as-descended tinwork and light patina. 
Wooden lanterns directly serving purposes aboard American ships and surviving wholly intact are rare. This example is extremely fine and for the collector seeking quality lighting.
American, probably New England. Ca. 1880. 19"T for body height x 11"W x 10"D