Monumental Rococo style Second Empire period ormolu lantern

This very large and impressively wrought lantern was created during the period of Napoleon III in the Rococo style of Louis XV. The lantern is crafted from ormolu, or gilt bronze, inset with shaped glass panes. The lantern is of typical form, with a square profile body with chamfered corners tapering from a narrower bottom to a wider top. The body is inset with eight glass panes and contains four interior lights. The top of the lantern is surmounted by an elaborate structure wrought in the Rococo style, featuring scrolled supporting brackets moulded with acanthus leaves, palmettes, and shells. The underside of the lantern is similarly decorated, affixed with further shaped brackets moulded with Rococo style motifs.