Lonsdale & Dutch has exported lanterns all over Europe and the USA. Many Scottish stately homes have also turned to Lonsdale & Dutch to light up their interiors.
Current proprietor Rodney French’s work is featured at Hopetoun House and Falkland Palace and he has been commissioned to make several replicas of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work for Hill House in Helensburgh.
He also made the huge lantern which is displayed outside Glasgow College of Art. He was asked to produce work for the Scottish Parliament’s temporary home at the Mound as well as grand houses on Heriot Row Royal Crescent and Queen Street in Scotland’s capital. He also counts many famous Scots among his clients.
Illuminating the outside (and inside) of buildings is a recognised part of architecture. So important is appropriate lighting that it is common for lighting designers to be called upon when new offices or hotels are opening.
Many house owners nowadays are also keen to make features of interior and exterior lighting and light fitments. Many owners are looking to traditional designs and manufacturing methods to get the specification and quality they are looking for.
Lanterns are made in the traditional method using iron, copper steel lead and pewter. Each item is made from scratch and it takes several days work for each piece.
Most customers come to the workshop because they want something individual; they often ask for a particular colour, six, glass type and metal and Rodney will design and create tit to the he agreed specification. He also works in restoring antique lanterns, chandeliers and metalwork.
While bespoke work is the mainstay of the business, there are items which are regularly in demand, of which Regency lanterns are the most popular.
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