The design of the lantern is based on a model built for the Palace of Versailles in the 18th Century. It takes an octagonal 'Versailles' or 'beehive' shape, and the main body of the lantern consists of four rows of rectangular panes of bevelled glass joined by ormolu frames mounted with floral decorations at each intersection. There are ormolu lion masks mounted to the bottom of the lantern, and to the top there are further mounts in the form of shells, acorns and acanthus leaves. The very top of the lantern takes the form of a bejewelled crown.
