Traditional Lanterns, Made by Hand

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Make sure you have the right lantern for your next adventure.

A young and determined pirate girl is walking through tall grass with a round naval lantern.

Rob will be happy to collaborate with you to create the right historically inspired lantern for your next adventure.

Every lantern is made by hand by Rob Gorrell in his workshop in Ohio. He uses mostly hand-powered tools to create rugged, functional tin candle lanterns that are based on historically documented designs.

So if you are making a film, creating a museum exhibit, need a lantern for tour guides, or if you are a reenactor, living-history buff or full-on pirate, Rob can help you.

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Shop for the latest handmade lanterns.

English Ship Lantern English Ship Lantern
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English Ship Lantern
$120.00

Are you daydreaming about serving with Nelson on the HMS Victory? Here is the lantern you need to get closer to the dream. This large hanging candle lantern is a faithful interpretation of the ship lanterns that hang on board the HMS Victory in Portsmouth, England. I worked from images and measurements provided by the museum.

Each lantern is made one at a time, and there WILL be small differences in finish and construction for each lantern.

  • 20” tall and 7.5” in diameter

  • Black painted finish

  • Lite lampshade mica panes

Large Double Bulls-Eye Punched Tin Lantern. Large Double Bulls-Eye Punched Tin Lantern.
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Large Double Bulls-Eye Punched Tin Lantern.
$175.00

Show off your historic swagger with this large, period-correct punched tin lantern. It looks great and puts out a ton of light. This style of lantern combines the beauty and wind resistance of a punched tin lantern with the brightness of the hand-blown glass rondel.

  • 20” tall, including the carrying ring, and 8.5” in diameter, including the door.

  • The two glass rondels are a little over 4” in diameter.

  • Period-inspired pierced tin design.

  • Bright finish

Each lantern is made one at a time, and there WILL be small differences in finish and construction for each lantern.

Discover the latest additions to my collection—handpicked pieces that bring new energy to your space.

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Red Six-Sided Ship Lantern Red Six-Sided Ship Lantern
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Red Six-Sided Ship Lantern
$220.00

This is the lantern you need for knocking around at living history events or leading tourists around at night. Need a sturdy 18th—to early 19th-century-style lantern for your film project? This could be your answer. It has a nice traditional design.

  • Designed and built for rugged camping or reenacting event use.

  • Measurements: 18” tall and 9” wide.

  • Finish: Distressed red painted tin with distressed glass panes.

Please get in touch with me directly to discuss custom and international orders.

Each lantern is made one at a time, and there WILL be small differences in finish and construction for each lantern. There will also be considerable variation in glass patterns from one lantern to the next.

What People Are Saying

  • Beautiful lantern to compliment one I already use. Great craftsmanship.

    Christopher, 2/12/26

  • Ordered a bulls eye lantern and a ship lantern on a whim. Received them last week and was very impressed by the quality of both.

    Greg, 2-10-26

  • What a treasure! I have always wanted one of these lanterns, and this doesn’t disappoint! So beautiful when lit with a candle as it really enhances the workmanship. Received item quickly and so glad I found this website.

    Maureen, 1-23-26

  • IF anyone builds more accurate reproductions that are better crafted, I am unaware of them after 40 years in living history. I believe there are six of Robb's lanterns in my house; all perform well and are attractive whether shining or dark. Kudos.

    William, 12-23-25

  • As usual, another excellent product. Fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. A worthy addition to my Rod Gorrell collection. Well done, sir!

    Mark, 11—14-25

  • Received my bulls- eye lantern much sooner than expected. Excellent workmanship at a very reasonable price. Really good customer service, so we'll be doing business in the future.

    Michael, 11-4-25

  • These lanterns are wonderfully crafted. I bought one back in the winter for a film shoot. Then I bought two more for a different set of scenes in our movie. Rob is a master craftsman. He shipped them to me with lightning speed. They are perfect. I will shop with him again for my period correct lantern needs!

    8-31-25

  • Lantern is beautiful and shows a lot of thought went into its construction. Not the cheapest object of art I have ever purchased, but certainly one of the best looking, and functional too, very much worth it. Fast shipping and good packaging completes the picture. Thanks! Read Less

    Walt, 6-19-25

Rob Gorrell - Maker

Rob Gorrell - Maker

I enjoy creating a variety of historically inspired lanterns that are perfect for your home, film, museum exhibit, or living history event. I am constantly studying historic tinware wherever I can and have observed tinware in several museums and collections in the US, France, Spain and the UK.

Every lantern is made one at a time, in my Ohio shop, mainly using traditional hand-powered metalworking tools. New lanterns are listed in the store as I get them made.

Custom and international orders are welcome. I work with several museums and living history groups to research and create lanterns that meet their needs.