The design of this lantern is based on that of a very distinguished group of Louis XVI examples of which the closest and best known is in the Wrightsman Collection at the Metroploitian Museum, New York (see: F. J. B. Watson, Furniture, Boxes, New York, 1970, Vol. III, p. 67, No. 304). A lantern lacking the ribbon swags is in the collection of the Duke of Buccleuch at Bowhill, Selkirk.
A model of a similar size was sold in these rooms, 16th June 1994, lot 92, and another smaller example was sold at Christie's House Sale, Sacombe Park, Hertfordshire, 11th October 1993, lot 1.