Honey dear Chinese lantern

[fletty]

I believe our American friends use the term “honey dear” to describe a project that is undertaken under the power of feminine guile ...... or withdrawal of comforts! Well, here is MY ‘honey dear’ project. An antique Chinese lantern delivered in a bag by a smiling lady.
This lantern shows some of the most refined joinery ...... and a complete absence of glue

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The main issue has has been working out HOW it goes together and this wasn’t helped by discovering eventually that there are enough pieces in the bag to assemble at least 2 lanterns?
Recognising the spiritual significance of the number 6 and the curative powers of Howard’s Orange Oil eventually led to this outcome by the end of today...

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I seem to have enough glass panels to complete one lantern, and will do so for fear of withdrawal of comforts. The joinery is fascinating so I will do some detailed photography and post this centuries-old technology here before indulging in 21 st Century technology and mounting a remote controlled LED light?

PS, If anyone has the glass panels for a Chinese lantern but no frame ...... send me a PM :B

[Sparkington]

Most husband know that term, I've got while your on holiday can do this lol. Nice project they turned out great :)

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[crowie]

Alan, As the lantern is old and somewhat ornate, are you going to try to get the etched story telling glass panels for it? Peter

[fletty]

Alan, As the lantern is old and somewhat ornate, are you going to try to get the etched story telling glass panels for it? Peter


Ive found enough glass panels in the bag to complete one lantern but the 6 smaller panes don’t seem to match the frames? I will be still able to use them though. Here are some detail pics of the smaller frames which are 220mm wide by 210mm high. As noted earlier, there is no glue, the frames are held together by friction and stiction only!

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When assembled.......

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.....the glass pane should add some rigidity but with the glass being undersized in width (although OK in thickness) I might have to add just a little glue?
I couldnt resist cleaning the glass and putting this one panel into the frame....

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[Pat]

Fletty, I get told about things, after someone agrees that I will make it.

Also, the infamous "What have you got made?" question, when someone wants a handmade present for a work colleague.

As to the lantern, intricate and ornate.

[fletty]

I couldnt resist cleaning the glass and putting this one panel into the frame....



Oh OK then, 2 panels!

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I feel a bit fraudulent now putting it in the RESTORATION forum. So far, all I’ve had to do is work out which bits go where, oil the timber and clean the glass?

The challenge however will be HOW to make 12 new glass panels and surrounds and match them to the leftover structural pieces to make a second lantern?

[fletty]

AAMOI (As A Matter Of Interest :q), I have a real penchant for Arts and Crafts style furniture and decoration. Having lived (and worked) in China for a few years, I have also been aware of what I presumed to be the acknowledged Chinese influence on this Arts and Crafts ‘style’. However, I have never seen any other reference to this influence, BUT I have Chinese furniture in my own house that pre-dates the Arts and Crafts movement but demonstrates many of its elements. To support my case I offer up these 3 pics....

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Greene and Greene, the American doyens of Arts and Crafts style and the designers and makers of the pieces in pics 1 and 2, referred to these raised arches as ‘cloud lift’ AND the Chinese name of the upward arch in pic 3 which is of Mrs Fletty’s lantern ........ is ‘cloud lift’! I don’t have a problem with this use of style as good style in one culture is frequently good style in ANY culture, but I haven’t seen a documented reference to it?
Someone needs to write about this........

[NCArcher]

Interesting. I have a couple of G&G books. I'll dig them out.