Bridgnorth Lant-horn

Lant-horn at Bridgnorth's Northgate Museum [+]

As the name of this lantern - lant-horn - suggests the so called 'glass' has been made from boiled and delaminated cow horn, which is just clear enough to see through. It is believed that some of the glass in the Guildhall in London today is still original 'cow horn' glass. The date of this lant-horn is unknown, but there is evidence to suggest that lant-horns like this were used from the Tudor period onwards.

Tallow candles were used to light these lant-horns. Made from a combination of sheep and cow fat, they made effective candles, but also released a unique smell and often caused problems, with fat spilling onto furniture and floors. Tallow candles are still being made and used today at Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, near Durham.