TWO MASSIVE PORTE COCHERE (CARRIAGE PORCH) LANTERNS. Unknown maker, France. Circa 1820. Brass, sheet metal, gilt, with acr... (Total: 2 Sets)

Description

TWO MASSIVE PORTE COCHERE (CARRIAGE PORCH) LANTERNS

Unknown maker, France
Circa 1820
Brass, sheet metal, gilt, with acrylic lenses and glass globes
62 inches high
These two monumental lanterns graced a chateau in the Loire Valley of France before being taken down for refitting to electrical current. At 62 inches in height, they are very rare not only for their size but for their ornate craftsmanship. The four panels, which originally were made of glass, have been replaced with durable acrylic, with one panel being fashioned as a door that opens for maintenance of the electrical chandelier inside each of the lanterns.

The porte cochere lantern, literally 'carriage door' lantern, hung inside the carriageway in front of the chateau where the carriages would be sheltered from the weather while unloading their aristocratic passengers. Porte cochere lanterns of this dimension are only seen in the largest chateaus or other fine homes around the world today. There is a porte cochere known at the 'North Portico' of the White House in Washington, DC where foreign dignitaries are greeted. A large porte cochere lantern of similar size to this example is prominently displayed from the ceiling of the Portico. Congress provided funds during the administration of Andrew Jackson for the porte cochere's construction.

While the White House has only one porte cochere lantern centered under the portico, these two lanterns are a matched pair with their ornate fleur-de-lis design motif and gilt metal in very good condition. The lanterns are tethered by heavy chains from which they would be suspended under a portico or ceiling. These two lanterns recently graced the ceiling of the Peacock Ballroom of the Anatole Hotel.

Provenance:
Acquired in Brussels in 1985.

Exhibited:
The Anatole Hotel, Peacock Ballroom




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