Handcrafted Moroccan lanterns in solid brass with intricate geometric cutwork that projects patterned light across any space. Available as hanging lanterns for covered porches, entryways, and dining areas, or as freestanding tabletop lanterns for mantels and side tables. Each lantern is hand-punched and soldered in our workshop — the pierced metalwork creates a warm ambient glow through hundreds of tiny openings. Available in polished brass, antique bronze, and oxidized silver finishes. Ships wired for US/European standard — ready to hang.
Authentic Moroccan Lanterns
The Moroccan lantern is one of the oldest lighting forms in North African design — and for good reason. The enclosed shape with pierced metalwork creates a contained glow that feels warm, intimate, and architectural all at once. Our lanterns carry that tradition forward with modern wiring and mounting hardware.
Every lantern in our collection is hand-pierced and soldered in our workshop using solid brass. The geometric patterns — stars, arabesques, lattice grids — are punched one opening at a time using traditional tools. No laser cutting. The result is hundreds of tiny light points that project constellations of shadow across your walls and ceiling.
Hanging lanterns work beautifully on covered porches, in entryways, over dining tables, and in stairwells. Freestanding tabletop versions sit on mantels, side tables, and shelves. Both types ship with standard US wiring (110-120V, E26 socket). Browse our pendant lights for open-frame alternatives, or our chandeliers for larger statement pieces.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
All our lanterns are wired for indoor use as standard. For covered outdoor areas — porches, pergolas, covered patios — brass performs excellently. Over time, outdoor brass develops a natural patina that many customers consider more beautiful than the original finish.
Brass is not rated for direct rain exposure. If your lantern will hang in an area open to the elements, bring it inside during storms or treat it with a clear lacquer coating. For covered spaces with a solid roof overhead, no special treatment is needed. The wiring is UL-listed for dry and damp locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — our brass lanterns work beautifully on covered porches, patios, and pergolas. Brass naturally develops a patina when exposed to moisture, which many customers prefer. For fully exposed outdoor areas, we recommend bringing lanterns inside during heavy rain or snow. All hanging lanterns include mounting hardware for covered ceiling installation.
Most of our lanterns use standard E26 (medium base) sockets, compatible with any standard US light bulb. We recommend warm-white LED bulbs (2700K) for the best ambiance. Edison-style filament bulbs also look stunning through the geometric cutwork. Maximum wattage varies by lantern size — check each product listing for specifications.
For regular dusting, use a soft dry cloth. To restore shine on polished brass, apply a brass cleaner like Brasso with a soft cloth and buff gently. For oxidized or antique finishes, simply dust — these finishes are designed to have a weathered look. Never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool, as they can scratch the metalwork.
For entryways and porches, 12-16 inch lanterns work best as a focal point. For dining table centerpieces, 8-10 inch tabletop lanterns are ideal. For large covered patios, consider clustering 2-3 lanterns at different heights. Measure your ceiling height — hanging lanterns should sit at least 7 feet from the floor in walkways.
Lanterns are fully enclosed — the bulb sits inside a cage of pierced metalwork with panels on all sides, including the bottom. Pendant lights are open at the bottom or have a more exposed shape. Lanterns cast light through the piercings only, creating more concentrated shadow patterns. Pendants cast light more freely. Both use the same wiring and installation. See our pendant light collection to compare styles.
Some of our lantern designs include colored or frosted glass panels set between the brass framework. Others are open metalwork only. Glass-panel lanterns produce a softer, more diffused glow, while open metalwork lanterns cast sharper, more defined shadow patterns. Each product listing specifies whether glass is included. We can also add or remove glass on custom orders.
If your porch has an existing ceiling junction box, installation is the same as any indoor pendant — connect the wires, mount the canopy, and hang the chain. If there is no junction box, an electrician can install one in about an hour. For porches without electrical access, you can use a heavy-duty ceiling hook and a plug-in conversion kit. Our installation guide covers both options.
Warm-white LED bulbs at 2700K produce the best results — they create a golden glow through the piercings that matches traditional Moroccan ambiance. Edison-style filament LEDs look especially good in lanterns with glass panels. Avoid daylight bulbs (5000K+) as they create a cold, harsh effect. Stick with 40-60W equivalent LEDs for the best balance of light output and atmosphere.
Yes — our freestanding tabletop lanterns are specifically designed for this. They sit on a flat base and include a cord with an inline switch. Place them on mantels, side tables, bookshelves, or as a dining table centerpiece. The tabletop versions use the same solid brass construction and pierced patterns as our hanging lanterns, just with a different mounting style.
