Candle Lantern, 1750-1800

Until the 19th century, tinsmiths manufactured virtually all tinware by hand, using a wide range of specialized tools. Tin (actually tin-plated iron) was a stiff but pliable material, shaped by cutting, bending, crimping, hammering, and soldering joints together. The tinsmith who made this lantern applied a resin coating to produce a dark finish and inserted panes of thin, translucent animal horn for windows.