Lantern: When Light Meets Inspiration and Tradition

Light holds a special place in our lives. It's not just a practical source of brightness, but also a symbol – of safety, hope, inspiration, and connection. It was this very idea that guided us at Elite Bohemia in creating our latest innovation: the Lantern lighting fixture.

When designer Jiří Krišica first conceived the Lantern fixture, his mind wandered back to childhood memories. "I recall walking in lantern processions with my parents. Children's eyes fixed on the slowly marching flood of colorful lanterns glowing in the darkness..." he says with a smile.

The lampion, the lantern – symbols of happiness, hope, wishes, and light that have accompanied us since childhood. This inspiration, rooted in simplicity, purity, and the universal nature of form, gave birth to a lighting fixture that not only illuminates interiors but also touches the soul.

Why a lantern? Why Lantern?

In different corners of the world, the lantern holds deep meaning. In Asia, the lampion symbolizes happiness; in Europe, it represents home and comfort. That's why the intention was clear – to design a lighting fixture with a distinct visual signature that would be easily recognizable across cultures. Lantern is not merely a reminiscence of traditional lanterns, but their contemporary interpretation. The inspiration from the traditional lampion form meets the purity of crystal glass and modern technologies.

"I wanted everyone to immediately recognize what inspired the design at first glance. The lantern shape is so universal that it resonates across generations and continents," adds Jiří Krišica.

Unique Design and Construction

Traditional lanterns are typically made of metal with glass panels – but Lantern pushes this concept further. It's made entirely of glass – a material you'll fall in love with for its crystal clarity and subtle sparkle. To bring playfulness to the design and offer space for personal taste, Lantern consists of two separate parts. A crystal pendant can hang from the bottom section for a more classic look. Customers can choose their own color combination – available in shades of red, amber, green, and blue. This allows everyone to create an original lantern according to their style. It's like assembling a lampion in childhood... You can let your imagination run wild or stick to tried-and-true classics. "I jokingly call them candy jars," says the designer with a smile.

The production of the Lantern fixture is exceptional thanks to the technologies used. 80% of the process is pure handwork – from flame-working to shaping on a glass lathe. Only 20% consists of prefabricated semi-finished products with internal grooving.

Innovation and Details Not Visible at First Glance

Beneath the surface of the traditional design lies an integrated LED chip. This allows Lantern to function as a full-fledged lighting fixture, or without a power source – as a purely decorative object. Aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand here, in a fifty-fifty ratio.

One of the biggest construction challenges was the precision manufacturing of molds and devising a so-called glass lock system, so that both parts fit together perfectly. As our glassmaker says: "Every millimeter matters. Here, you need not just eye and feel, but also technical precision."

Who is Lantern designed for?

Lantern finds its place in interiors where classic meets modern touch. In clean, simple spaces, it becomes a focal point that captures attention; in restaurants or above display cases with luxury jewelry, it creates an atmosphere you won't find elsewhere. Lantern's design is universal, but it will resonate most in countries of Eastern culture, where lampions have deep symbolic meaning.

At Elite Bohemia, we believe that light has the power to connect. Lantern is proof that even traditional inspiration can tell a new story in a modern interpretation. It's light that not only illuminates but also inspires, connects generations, and reminds us where we come from. This is exactly the kind of light we wanted to bring into our customers' homes.