A magic lantern was an early form of projector, it would project the image from a glass slide onto a screen. The early slides, made around 1860 / 1870, were hand painted on glass, towards the end of the Victorian period these would have been transfer printed. The early magic lantern was powered by a paraffin lamp, later they would be powered with electricity. They would be a home or church entertainment device, and must have seemed like magic to Victorian children - hence the name.
 
This lantern is Victorian and would be powered by a paraffin lamp, the paraffin was stored in a container inside the lantern and when ignited would project the light through a lens and on to a screen. The body of the lantern is made from a black Japanned metal and the front lenses are cased in brass.
 
The lantern is in good condition.
 
Dimensions: 41cm x 43cm x 15cm