Wrought Iron Candle Lanterns

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Wrought iron candle lanterns can be a versatile decor piece for indoor or outdoor nuances. It’s a simple way to incorporate an antique touch into any space. While iron lanterns come in different styles, every cast iron lantern will share a few similarities. Another variation between various cast iron lanterns is the candle size and type they can hold. Next, we’ll demonstrate these five fantabulous wrought iron outdoor candle lanterns.

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

5 Recommendations and 133 Ideas

Updated 22/12/2022

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Modern Clean Lined Wrought Iron Lantern

This contemporary modern lantern has clean rectangular lines in bronze or rustic oil. The clear glass pane sides and hinged door protect a 3” x 4” candle. And a decorative hoop connects the 12” hipped roof cap.

Designer Advice:

Cast iron outdoor lanterns require a fully enclosed center to protect the flames on wax candles. Clear glass sides allow a full view of the light and block wind and water. A hipped roof cap gives protection from above and provides a classic farmhouse nuance. And the hoop on top allows for hanging the lantern securely and gives extra height.

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Colored Glass Kalidoscope Candle Lantern

This metal lantern combines vintage traditional touches with contemporary modern for a deluxe contrasting medley. Sturdy black iron metal makes up the intricate cutwork top and 3 ¾” deep by 4 ½” wide base that holds a votive tealight candle. The metal frame supports the four colored decorative glass inlays in four colors. A metal ring attaches to the lid to create a 10 ¼” height.

Designer Advice:

Wrought iron lanterns can come in various styles and influences. And as this lantern shows, it can also come with colored glass sides versus translucent clear panels. When you use lanterns with colored glass, you get a fascinating play of shaded shadows that create fun light displays as the light shines out of each colored side.

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Exotic Moroccan Hanging Metal Candle Lantern

Rustic medieval wrought iron candle lanterns add an exotic romantic nuance as a wall sconce or a chandelier. The 13” tall by 5” wide and deep metal support textured glass sides. And inside, you can use any 3” wide pillar candle.

Designer Advice:

Just as you can use cast iron candle lanterns for indoor or outdoor aesthetics, you can also vary the type of lighting you use inside. A pillar wax candle gives you the authenticity of a vintage piece with a real flame. But you can also use flameless tealight, fairy, or LED lights in many styles of lanterns.

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Double Set of Minimalistic Basic Metal Lanterns

This understated set of minimalistic lanterns has a water-resistant black finish on the 11.8” tall by 5.1” wide and deep black iron metal frames. Each lantern can hold a 3” x 4” flameless LED pillar candle.

Designer Advice:

Lantern sets are great for a cohesive outdoor look, especially when they have protection from the elements. But not all metal lanterns should have flame candles, which can cause dangers like accidental burns from the metal or glass heating up. Be sure you adhere to the appropriate light source to stay safe and keep your lanterns working.

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Elegant Country Rustic Iron Candle Lantern

This traditional-style tabletop wrought iron candle lantern comes in two colors and three sizes. The clear glass panels and slim metal frame add an open, airy neutral silhouette that protects a 3” pillar or a flameless LED candle.

Designer Advice:

Many metal candle lanterns have a round ring added to a decorative roof to create an elegant rustic country vibe. But these rings are only sometimes structurally sound enough to support the weight of the lantern if hung up. Designs like this tabletop lantern need a sturdy, flat surface to support the lantern base.

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Wrought Iron Candle Lanterns

Buying Guide

Wrought iron furnishing was very popular during the 18th and early 19th century. Nowadays, wrought iron is iconic with its "old world" vibe. It's one of the many reasons why it's making a comeback, and that is also why more and more homeowners are looking for beautiful wrought iron candle lanterns!

Since a wrought iron candle lantern is a furnishing that belongs to the distant past, not a lot of people know how to pick the best one. Don't worry as this article is going to be a buying guide for wrought iron candle lanterns.

What Do You Need to Know About Wrought Iron?

Not a lot of people realize that the term "wrought iron" means two things. In the past, the term means an iron that is bent and hammered into shape. However, it could also mean a specific type of iron with a particular composition. Why is differentiating the two important?

The answer is so you can avoid overpaying. True wrought iron candle lanterns that are bent and hammered into shape take more time and skill. This also means that sellers can charge a higher premium as it's essentially a handcrafted item.

However, a wrought iron is also a specific iron composition, which can be cast and mass produced. Dishonest sellers may take advantage of charging higher prices as you may think it's a handcrafted item when it's not.

How to tell if a candle holder is true wrought iron?

No two items should be exactly the same.
Look for slight imperfections.
If it's ultra-smooth, it may be mass produced.

What are some important considerations when buying candle lanterns?

Candle Type. These days, candles come in many different forms. Some of the common ones include taper, pillar, votive, candle pot and tea light. Knowing the candle that you'll be using is very important. This is to ensure that you buy the right wrought iron candle lantern that can accommodate the type of candle that you are planning to use.
Fit. Another thing that is very important to assess is the fit of the candle. There are primarily two reasons why you'd want to do this. First is for aesthetic reasons. For example, if the tea light candle is too small for a votive, it will look awkward and out-of-place. The second reason is more important. If the candle does not fit snuggly into the holder, it may become a fire hazard. A simple bump could tumble down the candle, which can then start a fire.
Wax Issues. Most wrought iron candle lanterns out there will look attractive. However, before buying anything, you should try to anticipate where the wax will go when the candle starts burning. Does it have a receptacle for collecting the melted wax? Does the design allow easy cleaning? These are some of the few questions you should be asking to ensure that the wax won't be too much to deal with.

The primary challenge of finding the right wrought iron candle lanterns is navigating through the myriad of choices. The key points mentioned above should help you get started in weeding out most of the unnecessary option.