Scalloped Dome Porch Lantern, Die Cast Aluminum Outdoor Sconce

An entry after dark needs more than a bright bulb. It needs a light that shows the steps and the lock, welcomes guests without dazzling them, and still looks handsome on the wall when the sun is up. Traditional lanterns have done that job on porches for generations because they turn a working light into a piece of the architecture.

This vintage lantern follows that tradition with a scalloped dome top, a finial and a tulip shaped shade of clear water ripple glass, carried on a curved arm from a shell detailed backplate. It comes in three heights, 15, 19.3 and 22.8 inches, in bronze or black. The body is die cast aluminum rated IP56, and it takes a replaceable E27 LED bulb rated 12W and 1085 lumens, hardwired on 110V to 240V. It lights an area of about 54 to 171 sq ft.

What makes the dome lantern stand out

The water ripple glass is the heart of the design. Its uneven surface breaks the bulb into a soft shimmer, so the lantern glows like candlelight behind old glass instead of showing a hard point of light. That texture also throws a gentle, dappled pattern onto the wall around it.

The silhouette is classic without being fussy. A scalloped dome, a small finial and a tulip shaped shade sit on a curved arm that rises from a backplate carved with a shell motif. It reads clearly from the street and rewards a closer look at the front door.

The two finishes change the mood. Bronze has brushed highlights that warm up brick, sandstone and wood, while black gives a crisp outline against white stucco, pale siding and modern render. Both look good in daylight, which matters because an entry light is on view far longer than it is switched on.

Three heights keep it in proportion. The 15 inch lantern stands 7.9 inches from the wall and suits a standard single door. The 19.3 inch size reaches 11 inches out and suits a taller door or a garage, and the 22.8 inch size, with a 14.2 inch wide lantern, holds its own beside a grand arched entry.

It is built for weather. Die cast aluminum and an IP56 rating mean it can hang on an open wall, not only under a porch roof, and it is rated to work from 13°F below zero to 149°F.

Where it looks best, around the house

• Beside the front door. A pair of lanterns frames the entrance and lights the lock and the steps.
• Arched entries. The taller sizes balance a high stone or stucco arch.
• Garage walls. A lantern on each side of the garage door marks the drive at night.
• Covered patios. A warm shimmer on the back wall makes evening dinners feel relaxed.
• Garden gates. One lantern on a gate pier welcomes guests from the street.

It suits Tuscan, Mediterranean, colonial, farmhouse and traditional homes, and the black finish also sits comfortably on a transitional facade.

Choosing the size and placement

The three heights are 15, 19.3 and 22.8 inches, with full measurements for each listed in the Dimensions section above. Compare them with the height of your door, since a standard exterior door is about 80 inches tall.

A few guidelines help:

• For a standard single door, the 15 inch lantern looks balanced; for a tall door or a garage, step up to 19.3 inches.
• Choose the 22.8 inch lantern for a double door, an arched entry or a wide stone facade.
• Mount the lantern so its center sits a little above eye level, and hang pairs at exactly the same height on each side of the door.
• Plan the wiring with an electrician, who can set the junction box at the right height before the fixture goes up.

All required mounting hardware and instructions are included with the lantern.

Layering it with other lighting

An entrance lantern is the welcome layer of outdoor lighting. Add low path lights along the walk and the route from the street to the door becomes easy to follow, with the lantern as the warm point at the end.

Match the character of the fixtures. A traditional lantern at the door pairs naturally with other lanterns around the house, so browse the outdoor lanterns collection for a matching piece for a side door or a post.

Keep the bulbs one warm color. When the door, the path and the garage all glow the same shade, the front of the house looks calm and deliberate rather than patchy.

Looking after it is simple. Switch it off and let it cool, then wipe the aluminum with a soft, dry cloth and dry it fully. For the glass, spray glass cleaner onto the cloth rather than onto the fixture, and avoid abrasive cleaners that could dull the finish.

Is the dome lantern right for your space?

This light is a strong fit if you:

• Want a classic lantern with a warm, shimmering glow.
• Need a size for a standard door, a tall entry or a garage.
• Like a choice of bronze or black.
• Can have a hardwired light installed at the door.

It may not suit a sleek minimalist facade that calls for a flat modern sconce, or a wall with no way to hardwire an exterior fixture.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions about sizes are answered at info@norafurnish.com.